Should I talk to my manager?

There is no harm is talking to your manager about going back. At least you would know, definitely, if going back to Onc would be an option. The manager may say no then you can decide how to move on from there or if the manager agrees then you can decide if you really do want to go back and make the move.

As far as feeling the "moment"...I know a lot of nurses on here and other sites say they "knew" they were meant to work hospice, home health, the OR, born to be a nurse etc.  But  there are MANY of us who have NEVER had "that moment of knowing", where not "born" to be a nurse so that "moment" may NEVER come for you. And that is OK. It does not mean mean that another area of nursing other than the one you are in would not be a better fit. 

You tried NICU, it wasn't the fit you thought it would be. Now you know. That is not a failure, it's a learning experience.  And there is nothing magical about sticking out a unit or any job for a year if it doesn't fit. There are too many other options and life is too short to waste time on a situation that you know isn't right for YOU.

As @Peachpit wrote above, you tried it, and it didn't work for you.  Realizing this, and wanting to move on doesn't make you a loser.

As many facilities require one to work a designated time after making a transfer, if you haven't done so, I would suggest reviewing your facility's policy.

Best wishes.

I agree with evreyone else.  If it is not a great fit for you then you need to look at options.  No failure in that.  I work with a co-worker that hates their position.  She is a wonderful nurse but it shows that she is unhappy here.  It would best for her to move to a position more suited for her and, honestly, for us as well because we need someone that really wants to be in this spot.  As a manager, I would welcome your honestly and try my best to work with you to get you back to where you flourished.  

Would you have the option of picking up shifts on your old unit? 

Talk to your previous manager. If you really want to go back, be prepared to explain  why they should  give you your previous position back.  I never had a "moment". It takes time to find a really good fit. Closest I had to a moment was when I was hired for a work from  home job.

Sounds like you are learning valuable lessons about yourself, nursing and life...which is basically how we grow. No shame there!

Will admit I've come back to this post like 3 different times cause it gave me a little pause. It still does so I'll add my comment in hopes that it might be useful; if not then just disregard.

I feel a little something when nurses want to "learn something new" after a relatively short time in the profession. It suggests that they are looking for something and don't know what, or were expecting a different feeling from nursing. Because otherwise there is plenty left to learn after only 2 years in Onc (or almost any area of nursing). KWIM?

If the subject matter/specialty or patient population isn't really of particular interest, that is merely a totally reasonable personal preference (we all have them). BUT - that is different than just thinking that a different thing is going to be more exciting/fun/prestigious etc, etc. For example, I spent most of my bedside years in ED; it was well suited to my personality for those years and I loved what it was at baseline (sorting through large varieties of problems as fast as possible; encountering any and all type of patient, reacting quickly then moving on to the next thing). But there are a lot of people who simply imagine that being an ED RN is some bada$$ thing (which it isn't) that is better than a lot of other types of nursing, and would want to work in the ED mostly to experience that/be associated with that. I don't know about your personal circumstances but a lot of people want to be involved in NICU because sweet tiny babies and ICU.

When we have experiences like this in life it's good to take stock, contemplate a little, examine our motivations and move on knowing a little more about ourselves.

I do agree with all the comments above me. Take care and don't get down on yourself. Work at being the best nurse you can be and you'll find your own place in nursing. ??

Many lives ago I tried burns and plastics and it wasn't for me. I went back to my old post in infectious diseases. Stayed there  for a very happy two more years and eventually did move on to other things that did fit me better than burns and plastics.

You may or may not stay in oncology for ever, but at least you know what you're going back to while you sort yourself out and get over this disappointment.  

It is not a failure. You had a go. Things will slot into place eventually.

GrumpyRN said:

Absolutely NOT!

You tried something new and it has not worked out as you hoped - fine, now you know. Find something new or yes, go back to where you were. Neither option makes you a loser or a failure. if anything it makes you better and stronger.

Good luck with your endeavours in the future.

Excellent advice! After all, how would she know she didn't like it if she didn't try. Then there may be regrets about passing on the opportunity. Every position, every move is a teaching opportunity, so OP now knows this isn't for her.. This does not make her a failure at all, I think she has gained wisdom..