What was the good and the bad after you transferred?

[DesiDani]

You finally decided to transfer to a different unit or even a different hospital within the same system; and you got approved for the transfer. 

How did things pan out?  What were your reasons for transferring?

[Davey Do]

This ancient history, but at the first hospital I worked as an LPN, I transferred twice, from psych to surgery the first time.

At first I was all thumbs, but after three months, everything fell into place. At one time during the first three months, the assistant sup questioned if the OR just wasn't my place to work. But I buckled down, bought books, studied each surgeon's card for each procedure, and ended up getting pretty darn good at it.

The other nurses- all RNs- were helpful and supportive, so there was never any back-stabbing drama. Sadly, the hospital had two big layoffs one year and I was cut in the second one, being expendable as an LPN who could scrub but not circulate.

That layoff inspired me to put my nose to the grindstone and get my RN, so I signed up as a full time student. However, two weeks after the layoff, the hospital contacted me for an opening in a brand new CD unit. I thought, "Oh jeeze. Back to psych!"

Those nearly four years in working in CD were some of the best of my nursing career. There were seasoned CD nurses, therapists, etc. along with newbies like me who were incredible! The dynamics of working with others whose goal was helping patients in detox & recovery through a team concept was nothing short of magical.

Conceptually, the success of transferring in any facility depends on our own attitude & ambition, along with the attitude & support of sups & coworkers. I transferred once in a community mental health clinic with those key factors in place and, it was again, a very good experience.

Here's hoping your transfer(s) is/are as pleasingly successful as mine, DesiDani!