Wanting to Change Units, How Should I Communicate this to Manager?

[Yuhas]

Hello my Fellow Nurses,

I am wanting some advice on how to best device an email to my managers and potential manager about my desire to step down from ICU and go into our hospitals' SDU? I am a new graduate (about to complete my first year) and went straight into SICU/MICU after graduation. My anxiety has slightly improved, but I still feel that knot in my stomach before every shift. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions ever since the beginning but even more so now with the increased demand d/t COVID. I feel like I'm just completing tasks more than learning and I just cant continue to run like this. I felt it best to move to our step down unit and build my base. Should I send an email to my current managers only or also include my potential manager from the SDU about my desire? (keep in mind that I have been denied a transfer once before d/t COVID)

 

Thank you,

Overwhelmed ICU nurse

[Sour Lemon]

1 hour ago, Yuhas said:

Hello my Fellow Nurses,

I am wanting some advice on how to best device an email to my managers and potential manager about my desire to step down from ICU and go into our hospitals' SDU? I am a new graduate (about to complete my first year) and went straight into SICU/MICU after graduation. My anxiety has slightly improved, but I still feel that knot in my stomach before every shift. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions ever since the beginning but even more so now with the increased demand d/t COVID. I feel like I'm just completing tasks more than learning and I just cant continue to run like this. I felt it best to move to our step down unit and build my base. Should I send an email to my current managers only or also include my potential manager from the SDU about my desire? (keep in mind that I have been denied a transfer once before d/t COVID)

 

Thank you,

Overwhelmed ICU nurse

I wouldn't send an email to anyone at this point. I'd ask for a short meeting with my current manager and test the waters. It's not a great idea to put anything in writing until some type of formal process is in motion.

I'd also avoid discussing anxiety or anything else that could be perceived as "snowflakish" (forgive me).

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

I work on a step-down (sort of, not a true one) and to be honest it isn't much better. Some days are so busy that all you really do are the tasks. That's pretty much what nursing is nowadays. Perform tasks that check off boxes (unless you work for a hospital that has a strong union and excellent staffing ratios).