Not sure about position

[DogLover17]

Sorry in advance for the extremely long post:

I'm going to be moving to a new city for my boyfriend's job soon and greatly looking forward to it. Some background--I've worked on a cardiac intermediate unit (LVADs, PA catheters, titratable drips, heart transplants, plus so much more) for the past two years (only two years as a nurse, no other experience) and I've served on many committees, including a very time-consuming committee assisting with applying for Magnet status.

I've applied to numerous positions, but my only interview (on a cardiac/telemetry unit, less acute patients than I currently care for) wasn't bad at all--actually feel like I did well but I mentioned to the manager that I have aspirations of continuing to work on committees and possibly as a charge nurse within the next few years. She more or less told me that that's not what they're looking for--they have three permanent charge nurses on days and nights and she doesn't anticipate them leaving for a long time. They prefer to only have their charge nurses working on committees as well. I haven't heard of a unit that doesn't want their staff nurses involved, but I'm really not the kind of person to sit back and watch. She actually said that the majority of nurses on this unit work their 3 12's and go home, not to come back or think about work until their next shifts.

So, my questions are:

1) Am I being ridiculous thinking I should be allowed to participate in unit/hospital committees and dedicate myself to the unit? Did I just come from a hospital that highly encourages nurse involvement and most other places aren't the same way? If I do get the job, is it wrong to turn it down for the reasons stated above and will I black-list myself in this hospital system?

2) Assuming I don't get the job, should I hold off in the future about stating my desires to work on committees and eventually as a charge nurse? I honestly believed this was a decent thing to say, considering I am extremely passionate about improving quality on units and utilizing new evidence based practices.

[Nonetheless]

I have learned that some hospitals don't want nurses who are too involved. They don't have the resources to accommodate to them and may regard them as meddlesome. It's a wrong and sad but true.

[Whoatemyburger]

I think we nurses should serve as leaders because we must advocate for our patients. We must also advocate for ourselves since we are a special breed of people (professionals). It looks like you like to be enrolled in leadership so my advice is that this might not be the ideal facility for you . For my short experience as a nurse , the facility I currently work for encourage us to learn and be involve . I agree , I guess it depends on the hospital .

[DogLover17]

Thanks for your input. I'm lucky that I can be selective--I just hope I don't lose the chance at other job opportunities in the future if I get this and turn it down.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

YIKES!!! Hey, I'd hire you in a nano-second if you showed up in an interview. You are exactly the type of nurse that helps boost an organization in to the 'high quality' realm.

They're nuts. You would be wasted working in such a Dilbert place. Leave them to their mediocrity.

[DogLover17]

Well, I didn't get the job but I'm not too upset about it. Just hoping I can find one in that area soon, not getting my hopes down yet that my "dream job" (not sure what my dream job actually is) is out there!

[May 2014]

sForget them and move on..I had exactly same problem like you..It's all about capitalism that's what this country is all about...They want someone to pack their sheet but God knows the best for you move on..

[DogLover17]

Just wanted to given an update--I just got hired into my dream job with a ton of room for growth! I'm very happy I held out for the job I wanted. I am so lucky that I already had a job I really liked and could wait to move until I found the next best fit.