Seven Hells: Vent

[ThePrincessBride]

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.

[RNKPCE]

Could it be simply that they do not allow transfers until you've been in a position a certain length of time? Where I work you have to be in a position a minimum amount of time before transferring and this doesn't even count if you are in a new grad residency. The hospital can't stop you from applying to other hospitals but they can prevent internal transfers. Your hospital needs to get some return in investment. Also if you transfer to NICU you will essentially be a couple months training again.

On the other hand, if you feel they are stringing you along and you don't want to reward this kind of behavior then leave the institution. Most new nurses aren't in a position to follow through and take the consequences that could result from that decision.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Horseshoe,

I am angry at what appears to be double standards in hiring standards. If I was told that everyone is expected to have some experience prior to going into a specialty, I wouldn't feel like management was playing favorites and setting higher expectations for others.

Maybe they just aren't as impressed with you after seven months as you believe they should be. If so, that doesn't reflect double standards at all. Just that they don't see your qualifications in the same light as you do. Which doesn't mean at all that you can't get there eventually.

[Janetnzrn]

I work in NICU, we hire new grads frequently, usually those that spent their IP with us. But you will not regret spending at least a year on MedSurg. NICU is EXTREMELY specialised and can be difficult to leave as your skills in any other nursing field will become out of date within a year. You need to develop excellent assessment skills and continue to volunteer for float shifts on paeds and Postpartum. You can also consider working in the ER in the winter season, our hospital opens a special children's clinic for the increase in hospitalizations. Many of the children will be ex-NICU kids as they are more prone to respiratory ills. Good luck, as you are right this is a dream specialty!

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

Because spending the last several years being a good and loyal employee while going to school and getting good references and spending the last seven months on a notoriously difficult unit= not working for it.

Hmmm....

But if you read on here, many have been doing the same for as long, or longer. There are no guarantees. You may never get into your desired specialty...I always wanted OR from day 1. 17 years, have never seen it and have come to realize probably never will. Just come to terms with that possibility. It may be luck of the draw. Just realize, just because you want something and feel that you've worked for it doesn't mean you'll get it. Life works that way. Keep plugging at what you want, but be open to other options

[klone, MSN, RN]

That is true. I guess I just feel like my hard work isn't really paying off and I find it so frustrating.

More than anything, you just need patience. I'm BTDT in a similar way, waiting for my MSN to help open the door to the next thing, and being impatient that it hasn't happened yet. But I know that it will happen, and you just have to believe that also. It's hard to be patient, I know - particularly if you're in a job you hate (luckily, I'm not - but I can only imagine how it must be for you).

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Thread is now closed per OP's request.