Transferring Departments

[xojamieox]

Hi All!

I currently work on a busy step-down tele floor. We see a lot of post cath, sepsis, pneumonia, copd patients. I have been looking to transfer departments for a few months now, but have held off because I really really love all of the people I work with. Even though our unit is busy, everyone works together.

I recently applied to our ED and have an interview coming up. I want to expand my skill set and knowledge with a broader range of diagnoses, but still work in a fast paced environment (I love being busy, and don't have a problem with working in a high stress environment). Our transfer applications ask if your manager is aware and I clicked no because I didn't tell her I was applying. I did this for a few reasons: 1. I haven't told her I am applying to outside hospitals, why should I be required to tell her I am applying internally? 2. My one year performance eval is approaching and one of the 5 requirements to transfer is a score above 30 to be "allowed" to transfer. There are a few instances of where she gave a score of 28 or 29 to people she knew were trying to leave. I have been told you can go to HR to contest this so you can actually transfer, but I don't want to cause a huge uproar just to get out of the department - what if I hate the ED and want to come back to tele?

Also, I am really nervous to tell her face to face if I do get the job. She did state in my interview that she realizes her floor is a "stepping stone" for new grads, but there are 4 people total that are leaving or have already left our floor in the past 2 months and I feel bad leaving. Is it really bad if I write a meaningful letter stating my reasons to transfer and that I am very appreciative of the opportunity and that I would like to be able to come back if it doesn't work out? Or do I need to suck it up and do it face to face?

Sorry this is such a long post, I just really need advice from someone who has gone through this. I am nervous for the interview and nervous about telling her if I do get the job. Most of the nurses on my floor know I applied, so chances are, she has knowledge, but I don't want to say anything until I know for sure that I have the job. I am just a big ball of nerves over this!!!