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.
You are right. It is a little too soon to be talking about leaving nursing. But I'm just afraid if I stick it out two years that next thing I know, they will be telling me that I don't have the right kind of experience, you know?
Very few nurses have the opportunity to work within their desired field in the first 2 years.
Yeah. I wouldn't be so upset if this "rule" was enforced for everyone. But it seems that people play favorites and to heck with those who aren't the lucky ones...
That's anywhere. That's life. It does suck. And it's not fair.
I'm sorry to say, it happens all the time. To EVERYONE.
Well, you could get the response that I usually get when I bring up a valid concern with my situation, something like a stupefied stare, no words spoken, or duh duh da duh while they are trying to come up with some retort that makes no sense nor is true to the circumstances. That's how one knows how much they are respected!
Yeah. I wouldn't be so upset if this "rule" was enforced for everyone. But it seems that people play favorites and to heck with those who aren't the lucky ones...
And the plot is thickening. Do you feel your manager "played favorites" here ?
And the plot is thickening. Do you feel your manager "played favorites" here ?
If they are hiring new grads off the street with not even CNA experience and passing up employees who have been loyal to them, no hx of write-ups and nearly a half a decade to back it up...yeah.
I just am frustrated. It went from "I only had one year..." to now two.
People say they look down on job-hoppers, but it is situations like these that force people to leave.
If they are hiring new grads off the street with not even CNA experience and passing up employees who have been loyal to them, no hx of write-ups and nearly a half a decade to back it up...yeah.
I just am frustrated. It went from "I only had one year..." to now two.
People say they look down on job-hoppers, but it is situations like these that force people to leave.
Leave to where? You have 7 months. Stay for the year and least, and think. I remember your job search. Come ON, TPB!
If they are hiring new grads off the street with not even CNA experience and passing up employees who have been loyal to them, no hx of write-ups and nearly a half a decade to back it up...yeah.
I just am frustrated. It went from "I only had one year..." to now two.
People say they look down on job-hoppers, but it is situations like these that force people to leave.
Hiring off the street, and promoting after 7 months are two different management processes.
I realise your are frustrated. TODAY the process is 2 years of experience, next month... who knows? Could change again.
If you job hop.. you would start over at day one. Who then, gets hurt in long run?
A few of those new grads will wash out of the NICU residency. Position yourself by being positive in your interactions and volunteering for floating to peds and MB. It's very political. Make a good impression on upper management and do ask for some shadow days.
Your current manager probably blocked your transfer due to understaffing. Timing is everything. Try again in six months.
If so, you might see if you could cross-train on one of them.
You could pick up extra hours on one of those units, start learning more about pediatric nursing, and gain references that speak specifically to your abilities with pediatric patients. That kind of experience and references could provide you the edge you need to get into the specialty you desire, even if you have to look outside your current workplace.
Don't let them discourage you to the point you quit before you're fully vested; the only person who loses there is you.
I would also think long and hard about whether I really want to work on a unit - dream specialty or not - where the management might be playing favorites.
That kind of behavior is unlikely to be limited to just their hiring practices, and might be the reason why there were 8 openings at the same time. It could also be the reason why they chose new grads over someone who has a positive and long standing history within the facility. New grads are just easier to push around.
Well, if you are going to give up nursing entirely because you cant get what you want after 7 months? After you worked so hard to become a nurse and get a job?
I don't know what to say to that. I think you would regret it.
^ditto
You have a choice. Follow the proper channels and learn what you can and wait, or leave.
I just left a 20 year hospital job for the same reasons. My choice- and it was the wrong one.
Just curious, why do you feel it was the was the wrong choice?
You are right. It is a little too soon to be talking about leaving nursing. But I'm just afraid if I stick it out two years that next thing I know, they will be telling me that I don't have the right kind of experience, you know?
It'd be one thing if you'd been in the profession for a long time, but 2 years? That can be nothing but good. I'd start applying at a year....anywhere you're willing to work. If you love your current hospital, focus on becoming an even more involved employee. After you get your one year of RN experience keep applying in house. See if you can float in to get your feet wet, ask if you can attend unit specific education ops.
Just curious, why do you feel it was the was the wrong choice?
I miss the hospital. I like SN and HH, but I feel as if I had some more years in me to go hard in the hospital.
I miss other nurses, which is probably why I'm so active here.
I miss the people with whom I worked for 20 years.
I miss the town around the hospital, which was a little hubbub sorta place with a great Greek diner. I miss being kind of incognito walking around said town- here I can't walk 5 feet without being The Nurse.
I left after being miserable and increasingly anxious about my clinic and inept and horrible management. They kept their thumb on me because Good Ol' Far will never leave XYZ Hospital. I found out after the fact they squashed my transfers. They held my lack of BSN over my head.
This job came up at "the right time". I was panicked and I flounced. Yes, all that panic and crap is gone, but I lost a lot.
I'm not saying wait it out for too long. But 7 months is nothing, in the grand scheme of your career.
Been there,done that, ASN, RN
7,241 Posts
Very few nurses have the opportunity to work within their desired field in the first 2 years.