Unsure about my job

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Aug 5, 2016

hello fellow survivor, have you thought about other areas of nursing such as home care? case management? Sounds like you need a change.

Sour Lemon · Aug 5, 2016

I I work on a med surg floor for 10 years. During that time I was a charge nurse and preceptor. In 2008 I took 3 months off for breast cancer treatment then came back everything was fine. Then 6 years later I had blood cancer and had to leave for 13 months. They did give my job away but I was able to get a position back because one opened up.
The weird thing is that now I am treated like a new grad no longer being able to charge or precept.
the floor is very busy and I am now 50 years old and think it would be a good time to get off this floor and transfer to another unit.
The problem is I have filled out an application and had an interview to be transferred to another floor the interview went well but no one will call me back? They keep saying they will get back to me but never do? There are many openings on the floor but I get no response? In the mean time med Surg nights gets harder and harder and my knees are killing me. I started at this hospital as a new grad and feel that now I'm being spit out? Any ideas on how I should interpret this and what direction to take? Feeling stuck...

Unfortunately, there's a good chance that they're just waiting for you to move on and have no intention of accommodating you further. There is no loyalty to employees from employers, which is why I will never pick up extra days when I'm "needed" ...or even bother to answer the phone when they call on my day off.

I wish you well.

Caroline123 · Aug 5, 2016

Thanks! I know when we are used up we are spit out! Floor nursing strips the life out of you in time. Oh yes but when they are short then the phone rings

RPH_RN · Aug 5, 2016

Have you considered becoming a Clinical Research Coordinator? There is a big need, no weekends, 8-4 hours.

Caroline123 · Aug 5, 2016

Hi there, I am new here, thanks for the reply! Yes a change is what I need! Even though the job market here is not that great here it's time to try! It's totally demoralizing working on that floor. Some of the younger nurses are so rude? It's crazy that in a caring profession some of our own can be the coldest? I guess that's life though I will just put on my big girl pants and carry on! BTW Med Surg ortho what a grind

Caroline123 · Aug 5, 2016

I never thought of that I'll look into it! Glad I got my BSN a couple of years back because not having one here in California is a road block.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Aug 10, 2016

I can sympathize. I went through breast cancer treatment, a serious back injury several surgeries and my manager took me back every time. After you've been gone for 13 months, though, the unit has changed enough that you may need to catch up before you can charge or precept. Policies change, the staff mix changes, there are new drugs, technologies and protocols. Maybe all they need is for you to update yourself before they put you in charge again. Or maybe they think they're doing you a favor in taking it easy on you.

A change in job may be what you need, but maybe not. I was able to stick it out more than a year while waiting for orthopedic surgery (because somehow, once you get cancer no one wants to do an elective surgery on you until you've completed your treatment!) by working smarter. A switch to nights helped, too, and it padded my paycheck -- and my retirement accounts.

If you're not getting the callbacks you're promised, it may be your resume or your interviewing skills. Try asking someone you trust for feedback. A position away from the bedside may be what you need, but think about it carefully before moving. Are you ready to give up the scheduling flexibility and the higher pay? I wasn't, but your mileage may vary. Instead, try talking to your manager about what you need to do to be in charge and precept again. She may surprise you by saying, as mine did "Oh, we were trying to take it easy on you because you've been through so much."

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Aug 10, 2016

"They did give my job away but I was able to get a position back because one opened up."

Management and HR view you as a new hire. How long have you been in the re-hired position? Most facilities require 6 months to a year in the CURRENT position before you are considered for a transfer.

You may have gotten the interview, but the manager is realizing you are not really eligible for a transfer yet. Speak directly to the manager and HR and scope that out.

Far from being spit out... you just have a whole new set of hoops to jump through.

Best wishes, let us know how it's going.

Caroline123 · Aug 10, 2016

Hi, no not a new hire. I'm eligible and am transferring so it all worked out! Yes hoops and more hoops!

thank you for the response.

dream'n, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2016

Ageism?? Experienced it firsthand unfortunately. Glad I'm out of the hospital BS.

Caroline123 · Aug 10, 2016

Ageism, no question mark needed it's a fact! I hope you were able to get into something better!