Transfering RN Jobs

[tp1159]

Hi everyone! I am currently working on an ortho unit and I have worked there for a year. I applied for a different position and was offered a job in the Transitional Care/ICU stepdown unit within the same hospital system. What I find interesting is that they do not want to give me a pay increase since it is considered a lateral transfer. Is this normal? Should I ask if they could give me an increase? I feel like I am going to be working with higher acuity patients and will have more responsibilities in this new position. I feel like it would only be fair if they would give me an increase, even if it's not that much. Any advice would be appreciated.

Also, anyone else go from med surg to a stepdown unit? How was the transition?

Thanks so much!!!

[KellyRN86, BSN, RN]

Hi!

Regarding the pay increase, anyone I've known who transferred within the same facility did not get a pay raise if it was still a bedside nursing position, even if the pts are higher acuity. It is more based on years of experience, merit, etc. In terms of the transition from a med-surg type position to dealing with more critical pts, I transitioned from med surg to ICU about 7 months ago. I know you're not going to ICU right now, but my suggestion would be to read up on cardiac rhythms and meds, respiratory care stuff (like bipap, ABGs, and anything that you would normally have upgraded a pt for, like on med surg where I was they really didn't like pts to be on high flow nasal cannula, the acuity was higher), not sure if you will get DKA pts on that floor or if they would go to ICU but you can read up on that, too. Also not sure if you will get stroke pts or if there is a specific stroke floor, but Neuro stuff is good to brush up on. And once you start, anytime you take care of somebody with something new going on, it's always helpful to go home and read up on it in your own time, it helps things to "click", especially if it's still fresh in your mind. Good luck! ?

[subaquatique, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I went from MS to step down but did not receive a pay increase. I'm about to transfer to Critical Care, again with no increase. My hospital pays based on years of experience, certifications, etc, not related to floor acuity. I loved step-down. Way busier than my experience in Med Surge, but more rewarding!