Desperate need for advice; dislike unit I transferred to

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in Critical Care, Float Pool Nursing.

Hi everybody, I have a bit of a dilemma.

I have worked at my hospital for 3 years. I was working on a med-tele floor then got displaced into a float pool due to renovations to my old floor. However, for a long time I had been looking to work in critical care -- specifically in the open heart ICU.

Last year I applied but they were only hiring ICU nurses. Since I knew I wanted to work in the open heart ICU, and that at the time they required experienced ICU nurses, I resolved to work in a different ICU in order to eventually meet the requirements. It took a lot of applications but eventually I was hired into the MICU, which I really don't like. I worked in medicine for quite a while and it's not a specialty I wanted to continue in. I am still on orientation in MICU and now the open heart ICU is hiring nurses without critical care experience. I want to tell someone about my unhappiness with the MICU but I am afraid to bring it up, especially since during my interview I had to demonstrate that I wanted to work there. My hospital has a policy that you can't transfer for 6 months after taking a new job.

Do you have any advice? Should I tell someone (like my manager?) that I no longer want to work in MICU even though I am still orienting? Should I tell them I would rather be in open heart? Or should I just tough it out and apply after 6 months? What would I tell the manager of the MICU when I say I want to leave (either now or after 6 months)? What do I tell the open heart ICU manager about why I want to leave, without seeming like a job hopper?

I feel so powerless in this mess.

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I know from personal experience - MICU is a very challenging environment. But your current manager 'took a chance on you' and gave you an opportunity to transition to ICU... IMO, you need to adhere to a position of integrity and remain long enough to repay her trust. Believe me, there will always be openings in CVICU; it's no picnic (BTDT) either. You'll find that the patients are just as needy, families are even more demanding - and - (here's the kicker) you'll have to deal with CV Surgeons all the time. :wacky:

In the meantime, focus on improving your competency so you can become a CCRN as soon as you're eligible. This will really open doors for you - enabling you to try all different critical care areas. Also, take the time to have a heart-to-heart with your manager; outline your career aspirations and goals. S/he may be able to help you take advantage of opportunities you aren't aware of. You won't regret it.

Specializes in CVICU.

I agree. You made commitment, now it is time to honor it. I understand MICU is the front line on the war on disease, but like the poster above me said, the manager took a chance on you. If your hospital policy says 6 months, then I would wait at least 6 months. I recommend a year. After that it would be totally appropriate to discuss you career plans and goals with your manager regarding CVICU. Like the poster above said, there will be openings in CVICU all the time. If you choose to transfer there after a year, I'm sure the manger of CVICU would love to have you.

Specializes in UR/CM, Managed Care.

I agree with the above responses, and wanted to add my 2 cents… I worked many, many years in MICU and CVICU, and aside from the occasional registry nurse that cruised through for a shift, the “unit” becomes your family. That said, I would definitely recommend you keep your thoughts to yourself at this point. No one wants to work with someone that they know for a fact doesn’t want to be there, and it might even hamper your manager’s incentive to give you a really great orientation. H/She may be a great person and all, but if they know you are not long for their unit, it may seem like wasted effort for no return. I’m not saying you should lie, but just stay quiet for a while, grasp everything you can and be grateful for it. Anything you learn in MICU will help you in CV. Who knows, maybe when you reach that 6 month mark you will surprise yourself and may even want to stay.

p.s. just curious, what about MICU don't you like?

Specializes in Critical Care, Float Pool Nursing.

MICU experience doesn't seem to be as highly valued as CVICU experience careerwise, especially since I may want to go into trauma/flight nursing. I think MICU is just as valuable, but I think hirers don't see it that way.

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Stick it out and then after 6 months see if something can be worked out. Otherwise nobody else in the hospital will take a chance on you.

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