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.
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.
Very very good advice. Sounds like libbyliberal has a keen understanding of nursing politics.
OP, wait it out til you have that golden year of experience, and then approach the manager again. It wouldn't hurt to put out applications to other hospitals.
Very very good advice. Sounds like libbyliberal has a keen understanding of nursing politics.
OP, wait it out til you have that golden year of experience, and then approach the manager again. It wouldn't hurt to put out applications to other hospitals.
In my mind, I know that I should wait at least until September of next year. By then I will be fully vested and have used up all my vacation time to go to places I want to go to. But my irrational, emotional side is just furious about the situation right now.
In my mind, I know that I should wait at least until September of next year. By then I will be fully vested and have used up all my vacation time to go to places I want to go to. But my irrational, emotional side is just furious about the situation right now.
Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.
Keep your eyes open and network. I worked seven miserable months in med surg and was able to move to my desired nursing specialty, but with a different employer. I know you want to stay at your current hospital and I feel for you. It seems they want to keep you where you are for now. in the mean time, apply to other hospitals and look for other opportunities. It doesn't hurt to see what's out there for you.
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.
They won't let floats. I can only float to other adult med/surg units.
I have heard that it is hard switch specialties, especially if it is med/surg.
In my mind, I know that I should wait at least until September of next year. By then I will be fully vested and have used up all my vacation time to go to places I want to go to. But my irrational, emotional side is just furious about the situation right now.
Why wait til September of next year. You will kill yourself between now and then and be miserable. Work a couple more months and then start applying. Hospitals seem to hire a lot before the summer.
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.
Ah thanks for answering. I was just curious. Is there no chance of returning to acute care?
They won't let floats. I can only float to other adult med/surg units.
I have heard that it is hard switch specialties, especially if it is med/surg.
I second asking about shadowing then. Switching specialties is always a challenge...but people do it all the time. You just need to remain positive and position yourself well. You've gotten some good advice from other posters. Worst thing to do is become bitter and hardened.
Most hospitals want a year of nursing experience (if you are looking to move to a different hospital). Are you open to the idea of moving to get your "dream job"? You would have better odds by getting a job at a children's hospital if you are set on pediatrics than an adult hospital with a peds unit and a small NICU. I moved out of state and got a job at a children's hospital to work in my "dream job".
Most hospitals want a year of nursing experience (if you are looking to move to a different hospital). Are you open to the idea of moving to get your "dream job"? You would have better odds by getting a job at a children's hospital if you are set on pediatrics than an adult hospital with a peds unit and a small NICU. I moved out of state and got a job at a children's hospital to work in my "dream job".
I am opened to finding a different hospital since I have a feeling that my current employer is giving me the run-around. As for moving out of state? Nope. There are so many hospitals in my area that I think it is ridiculous for me to have to move if I have acute care experience, specialty organizations and extensive volunteer experience under my belt (and I do!). I did apply for a children's hospital NICU position only to have it rejected within hours. :/
If I did choose to move out of state, by the time I got my license for a different state, applied and interviewed, I would already have that supposed "golden year" of experience.
Lev, MSN, RN, NP
4 Articles; 2,805 Posts
Very very good advice. Sounds like libbyliberal has a keen understanding of nursing politics.
OP, wait it out til you have that golden year of experience, and then approach the manager again. It wouldn't hurt to put out applications to other hospitals.