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.
Maybe your current unit would like to get at least a small return on the huge investment they made in training you.
Six weeks of a very disorganized orientation is hardly a huge investment. In my opinion, one week of orientation equals about one month off orientation.
Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.
I understand your frustration. That must be very tough. I agree with some PPs on the fact that maybe this unit isn't your "dream" at all, considering the way the manager has been behaving. It might not be so fun to work under someone like that.
As far as not having anything to learn from med-surg... I don't know how to put this gently so I won't even try but you are wrong. Dead wrong. At 7 months, you have SO much more to gain from working with adults. Time management, critical thinking, communication with providers and family, prioritization... these are all skills that transcend every specialty. You will hone these skills so much in your time on a med-surg unit, often without even realizing it, and take them to every specialty you choose thereafter. 7 months is a drop in the bucket. Try and see your time on med-surg as a great opportunity to become a confident, smart, well-managed nurse as opposed to a prison sentence you simply must endure in order to go to what you really enjoy. Your time there can only help you, not to mention the fact that you are making a real difference in the lives of the sick adults who need you just as much as the tiny babies do.
Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.
I think it may help you and lessen you anger if you change your mindset. It is also not true that what you are learning now will have no application in your next position. I am certain your communication skills, your ability to think critically and learn to work as a member of an RN team have all improved, to name only a few examples. In terms of your mindset, you can focus on the positive. You have a good job, have made some new friends and contacts, and you are still learning and gaining valuable experience.
Your manager may not want to lose you because you ARE a good nurse and the turnover may be high on that unit! As some wise nurse already said,"Timing is everything". You want to stay on her good side since they do have a lot of power. When the time is right, she will recommend you for the transfer but she probably will not do so if you make the wrong moves. Yes, it is political and that is the way it is so it is easier to just accept it and work with the way it is. Just keep hanging on and do your best to shine. Shortly after you reach the year mark reevaluate the opportunities at your place of employment to ascertain your next move! All good things are worth waiting for and perhaps the universe is telling you that you have more to learn where you are at and it is not time for you to move on just yet! !
Six weeks of a very disorganized orientation is hardly a huge investment. In my opinion, one week of orientation equals about one month off orientation.
You're welcome to your opinion, but there are a lot of staff, organization, and expenses "behind the scenes" that must be maintained to orient new graduate nurses. It's a lot more than just the new grad and the preceptor. There is also the expense involved in paying you a full RN's salary while you are significantly less productive than an experienced RN. It's v. expensive for organizations to hire and orient new grads (even when they do it poorly). Many, many thousands of dollars (per new grad). New graduates are a financial liability to the organization, rather than an asset, for at least the first year, often longer, depending on how much the organization invests in the orientation process and how quickly the individual new grad develops.
7 months in is not a lot of time and no matter what you decide to do [stay at this hospital or leave] you will be much more marketable after that magic 1 year mark passes so unless something great drops in your lap before then stick it out a little while longer.
I don't blame you for being upset though. Just curious, is this a union hospital? I know at our local hospitals job openings are always offered to internal transfers based on seniority over outside hires as part of the union contract requirements and it does raise a bit of a red flag that out of 8 openings none went to an internal candidate. Which raises the question why so many openings? There might just problems on that unit if there are so many postings open at once.
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.
I have to agree, this is one of those "life isn't fair" things. I've known a few loyal, hardworking techs who have been passed up for new grads that have never stepped foot in their facility.
Keep looking. Don't make this facility your only bet. Also, 7 months isn't a lot. I myself will reach two years this summer, that's when I plan to make the bridge to ICU. (Currently training on step down ICU whilst working core on General Surgery).
Be proactive. Take advantage of the facility and the free educational opportunities they have. My facility has TONS of CEU's/Seminars/Certificates. Sign up and take advantage of what you can NOW! =)
It might not be so fun to work under someone like that.
As far as not having anything to learn from med-surg... I don't know how to put this gently so I won't even try but you are wrong.
I apologize if my statements came across that way. I want to reiterate that I am learning a LOT in med/surg everyday. But I feel as though very little is going to matter in regards to my future goals. I feel that what I am learning in med/surg isn't really going to help me stand apart from other experienced competition who have ICU, ED, and step-down experience who may also want to switch specialties.
At times I feel like a glorified waitress who pushes pain meds and cokes so often and that I am not really making a difference. Many of the patients I care for always end up re-admitted within a month or two for the same problems. Occasionally, there is the patient that I do feel that I made a difference, but that is rare.
I am glad I am getting all these intelligent responses because emotionally, I am just angry and frustrated. I go out of my way to volunteer almost weekly, I joined specialty organizations, I am going above and beyond while I see new grads who bring absolutely no experience get what I am working so hard for. I have to work twice as hard to get half as much as what others seem to get so easily.
Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.
Slow your roll, OP! Have you thought about getting a part-time position in peds home health or at an office? Or get on at another unit at another hospital?
Make some lemons out of this lemonade, no reason you can't be building up your resume elsewhere.
Slow your roll, OP! Have you thought about getting a part-time position in peds home health or at an office? Or get on at another unit at another hospital?
Make some lemons out of this lemonade, no reason you can't be building up your resume elsewhere.
Home health hasn't been on my radar, but it is something to consider if I need pediatric experience.
I was lucky enough to start out in my favorite field (pediatrics). Breaking in later on can be tricky. Some ideas:
Stick it out for a while to get that all-important year of experience, then send out feelers.
Go ahead and start taking on-line classes in neonatal care; you will get CEU's that you probably need for license renewal, demonstrate interest in the field, and have some learning under your belt for later applications. Taking a NALS class is also a good idea--it looks good to have that already accomplished before you start in a unit.
You may have to be patient and look for a job in regular nurseries first. They might be more receptive to taking on an inexperienced nurse than a NICU (very intense and extremely specialized area).
You are probably right. I admit that I don't know much about hospital budgeting. I was given the bare minimum orientation for a new grad (six weeks) and everyone does corporate training for the first two weeks regardless of level of experience. It has been a trial by fire.
I just don't understand where the money is going because it clearly did not go to the orientation process or the residency program!
You're welcome to your opinion, but there are a lot of staff, organization, and expenses "behind the scenes" that must be maintained to orient new graduate nurses. It's a lot more than just the new grad and the preceptor. There is also the expense involved in paying you a full RN's salary while you are significantly less productive than an experienced RN. It's v. expensive for organizations to hire and orient new grads (even when they do it poorly). Many, many thousands of dollars (per new grad). New graduates are a financial liability to the organization, rather than an asset, for at least the first year, often longer, depending on how much the organization invests in the orientation process and how quickly the individual new grad develops.
Farawyn
12,646 Posts
And admit I was wrong??!
:)
Maybe.