So, I have been at my job for seven months now and I applied for a transfer to my dream unit. My application was rejected, so I emailed the supervisor to touch base to see what more I can do to become a competitive candidate. I had talked with her before and have even went as far as to do what she suggested: join the specialty's organization, volunteer on a routine...she said she would sent off my resume.
Now? She is saying that the manager is recommending TWO years of med/surg experience to even be considered even though I have done EVERYTHING that the supervisor has asked and that unit has hired so many new grads. She says that med/surg is great and blah, blah, blah. But let's face it: how can working with sick adults help with premies? It doesn't. This is the same person who told me she only spent one year in med/surg prior to switching to my dream specialty.
I am livid. I feel like I am being strung along, and that I have absolutely no future whatsoever at my job. I have since started filling applications at other places.
I am half-way done with the residency program with more than seven months of experience, and I am damn sure not going to stay another 17 months in hopes getting something that I probably won't get. I have been at this hospital for damn near five years, and I am furious. I get waiting to a year-mark, but two? Hell no.
At this point, what should I do? Should I leave the hospital and try to get on somewhere else? Contact her after the residency program is over (I will have almost 14 months of experience) and say that I am ready to transfer? I would hate to leave this institution as I am almost vested and it has great benefits, but I don't want to reward this stringing along behavior.
I agree with you Ruby. No one is pointing fingers at the OP. Just trying to help her out with the question she asked. I guess she did not get the response she wanted. So here it is. Yeah, go ahead, tell the manager, or whatever title your boss that she has thwarted your career ambitions and if you stay you will never get your dream job and it is all her fault, and move on. if this is the way you really fee, OP, time to go because things will only get worse and you obviously don't feel you can grow in this position and it is beneath you. So keep on climbing. I believe that is the response OP wants.
No. Though the emotional side of me just wants to scream...
I don't think I am above this position but I am not passionate about it. I hope to go to grad school before I have children and it does feel like it will never happen.
I am not applying for a management position. I am pursuing a role as a staff nurse.
Yeah, I understand what you are applying for. i get it. You obviously did not comprehend the analogy I was making. It is not whether it is a management position. It is ANOTHER POSITION and the residency coordinator or whatever the person's title is may not appreciate that you want to make career moves with net to no experience behind you. Do whatever you want. I am trying to help you from making a big mistake and causing problems for yourself. But obviously that is not what you want to hear. So go for it. Tell her she is holding you back from your dream job and let the chips fall where they may. You are obviously far too good for the current position and need to move on. Good luck.
Patience my dear. Give it a couple more months, if you have a contract work til you completed it, if not reevaluate once you have that year of experience. To me it sounds like your manager is just not ready to give you up. And rightfully so, since you have only worked there for 7 months.
OP, for now I suggest you do your current job impeccably well-above reproach. Please your current manager and your residency coordinator. Get vested. Finish your residency. Get good references. Then apply broadly. Be glad you have a job-every day-- this will help keep your spirits up. Try to let go of the emotions and move on. Best wishes.
Patience my dear. Give it a couple more months if you have a contract work til you completed it, if not reevaluate once you have that year of experience. To me it sounds like your manager is just not ready to give you up. And rightfully so, since you have only worked there for 7 months.[/quote']
You are right. I just hate that I feel stuck, like I am at a dead-end and I want an instant fix.
No I don't think I am above this position but I am not passionate about it. I hope to go to grad school before I have children and it does feel like it will never happen.
Landing your dream job and going to grad school have almost nothing to do with each other. If you want to go to grad school then just go. I am working FT and am about to start grad school FT, an FNP program. My life will SUCK HARD for the next 20 months but nonetheless I am putting myself out there and making it happen. I am initiating change in order to effect the change I wish to see in my life. There are two quotes that I believe wholeheartedly in. "Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid", by Goethe and "God helps those who help themselves." Grad school could actually be a great distraction for you right now, given the present sucky circumstances. For the record I think your boss is a liar and a tool and that she totally back stabbed you. That really sucks and you have my complete sympathy. I had a former boss who made my life a daily torment until I took the initiative to transfer and make myself happier. Having said all that I also think it would be a huge mistake to leave before you (a) have at least one year of experience under your belt and (b) before you are fully vested. In this economic day and age vestiture is very important don't let your hurt feelings (which you have every right to have!) get in the way of that.
So you're not passionate about your job? Start grad school and make something happen for yourself. With an MSN under your belt it would be difficult, if not impossible, for the hiring powers that be to pass you over again.
I hope you make a decision that feels right and is also good for your future, both has a nurse as well as a worker. Good luck!
Yeah, I understand what you are applying for. i get it. You obviously did not comprehend the analogy I was making. It is not whether it is a management position. It is ANOTHER POSITION and the residency coordinator or whatever the person's title is may not appreciate that you want to make career moves with net to no experience behind you. Do whatever you want. I am trying to help you from making a big mistake and causing problems for yourself. But obviously that is not what you want to hear. So go for it. Tell her she is holding you back from your dream job and let the chips fall where they may. You are obviously far too good for the current position and need to move on. Good luck.
And once again, trying to make a thread all about her.
OP, while many of us may have had similar experiences, you are the only one going through this one yourself.
It could be a case that you pissed someone off way way back, and you don't remember or even realize that you did it.
You could be in a position to ask for more money than they are willing to give a trainee, based on you length of service in that hospital.
You could have just been born under a black cloud.
We don't know. None of us work with you. I will say that quitting before you're vested is a bit of cutting off your nose to spite your face, but that's probably just the parent in me lol.
Other than that, I really don't have any advice for you, except that you probably shouldn't hang all your hopes on this one job. You're going to be doing many more things before you hang up your stethoscope. By pining after this position you could be missing something else just as satisfying, if not better for you.
I would also consider whether or not your participation on this site might be identifiable at the workplace. Sometimes it takes little or no effort to make enemies at work and if someone has figured out who you are, you might be contributing to your problem, by being too vocal. These threads often take on a life of their own but they are always traced back to the OP for responsibility.
I wonder if this has happened as well. I don't know if you are aware of how some of your posts come across princessbride, but sometimes there is a thin line between victim mentality and venting to gain insight.
I realize you're frustrated, but based on some of your previous posts, OP it seems as though you get discouraged easily when things don't happen the way you expect. Sometimes, that's just life.
You're still relatively young. In the big scheme of things, another 5 months or even another year is not going to matter as far as your goals. Continue planning ahead, but know that while you are doing so, you're gaining valuable experience.
I read that you feel very frustrated and perceive your situation as "being stuck" and also "not getting a chance in peds if staying in med/surg for too long". It is not unusual to feel that way when working at a place, which is more or less not what you really want. Although you have worked at the hospital for years, you are still a new graduate nurse. True enough, your previous experience is valuable and probably serves you well but functioning as a nurse is different and a learning process. It is easy to get the rushed feeling when you see that other new grads were hired into the specialty and now have a head start in the department.
My thoughts are this :
1. If the workplace is a major employer in your area you want to "play nice" with them as you want to keep the door open. You never know nowadays if somebody will be merging or bought and so on. So it is better to part on good terms with them. Most likely this will happen if you finish your residency program. It shows that you have determination and can go through a rough time, that you are able to stick it out. Is it fair? no not at all because mostly us nurses are at will employees and can get fired at any point (unless you have union support..). But that is how it is and you need to play by the rules so you do not hurt your reputation as a new nurse.
True enough - I myself left an employer after 8 weeks of orientation because the work climate was awful and I did not feel I could work there - but I know I will never be hired by them again and they are part of a large organization. I was ready to accept the consequences but I am also 20 years into nursing. I would not have made the same decision in the beginning of my career.
2. The other unit may not see you as a good candidate for the job. That does not mean you are not a good nurse or willing to learn. But perhaps they are looking for a certain personality or certain behaviors. You have worked there for a while, so the organization knows you, which is not always to a person's advantage. Let's say they are looking for somebody assertive but they know you are not - there is no way you could hide it because they already know you! When they interview a new graduate from outside they do not know them that well and may have less bias. In those cases you have to apply outside for your dream job. Not only will you be able to present yourself in a different light, they also do not know you as the CNA. Also, you may have a stronger position to get more money, depending on your area.
3. Your mind seems very set in that you have a hard time tolerating your job situation, which will lead to even more dissatisfaction and that in turn will increase the pressure to leave asap, potentially leading to a rush decision. Try to free yourself from this thinking by looking at the positive things you learn - if that fails look at your paycheck. Money is a huge motivator and has kept me going through rough times ....Look at the money and say " I can do it for another week". Once you feel better you will be able to tolerate your job better.
4. While you finish your residency lay low, fly under the radar. Talk positive, be a team player and at the same time you can ,as others suggested, do some CEUs that are in the area of your interest. Look at the job market and find out what employers are looking for. Consider adding a license in a different state if you want to look for a job there.
We all go through rough patches with our jobs at times. I definitely did not always have happy days. You should pursue your dream job, no doubt about it. But at the same time be smart about it. Keep your residency if any possible and finish it, do not go without having another job offer.
Wow! Get a grip! There are a ton of really good nurses in your position. Many not even getting decent jobs. 7 months is nothing. I have been a nurse over 20 years. 9.5 on med/surg. I learned more there than anywhere else. I never wanted to work there initially, but once I got over my fear I realized that I was always learning new things. The more you specialize the less you know. You narrow your future choices. Just sayin'!
Wow! Get a grip! There are a ton of really good nurses in your position. Many not even getting decent jobs. 7 months is nothing. I have been a nurse over 20 years. 9.5 on med/surg. I learned more there than anywhere else. I never wanted to work there initially, but once I got over my fear I realized that I was always learning new things. The more you specialize the less you know. You narrow your future choices. Just sayin'!
I would like to comment on what you wrote. It seems that you are the baby boomer generation and the OP is from a total different generation. The younger generations have different values and ideas. They do not necessarily want to "stick it out" or "put their time in". They want to be valued for what they offer as opposed to based on (many) years of service. While it is true that there are many nurses who can not find jobs or not what they were looking for, it does not automatically mean that the once who have a job need to be satisfied with their situation.
This is not to criticize you but to point out that the OP is from a different generation, which can lead to a lot of misunderstandings. While you find it positive to stick out in a situation you did not like for 9.5 years for the sake of learning, the younger generations have a different view on how they want their live to be and develop.
ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP
1 Article; 2,594 Posts
No. Though the emotional side of me just wants to scream...
I don't think I am above this position but I am not passionate about it. I hope to go to grad school before I have children and it does feel like it will never happen.