When your new job makes your old coworkers act weird, and other questions

[RNcDreams]

Hey all.

To those who are out there and have been in the work force for awhile:

How did you deal with the transition between positions, especially if you really enjoy your current coworkers, and are making the job change for experience?

I'm currently at 1.5 years of Community ER experience, looking to get into either Trauma or Cardiac ICU. I'm starting the process of sending out applications, and doing my best in the meantime to study and prepare.

I've never had to do this before-- what is the dynamic like, especially if you stay per diem at your old job?

How does it work if the Potential/New employer calls your current director for a Reference? Do you warn them ahead of time?

I'm basically just curious about what kind of experiences you've had in terms of changing jobs, the application/transition process, and the dynamics that changed (or didn't) between you and your old coworkers.

Thanks so much!

RNcDreams

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

When I decided to transfer to my med surg floor I waited until after the interview to tell my current mgt and by the time I called her and let her know the mgr from the unit I transferred to called her and already asked her about me.

Let the mgr know up front. Shouldn't be a problem. I didn't have any problems at all. Transferring to the bigger hospital in network was easy for me.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

If you plan to stay on per diem at your current job, it probably would be best to have a conversation with your current manager/director. You can emphasize that you like working in your current ER, but are looking to expand your experience & knowledge base. The reaction you get will tell you all you need to know about the feasibility of staying per diem.

If you have any feeling at all that your current manager/director will react badly ... then you will have to decide which is more important to you ... moving on or staying where you are. If you conclude that it's time to broaden your horizons, best to keep it to yourself. People often do not broadcast to their coworkers that they're thinking of changing jobs. You can have "close" relationships at work without people knowing every detail of your life.

[NurseCard, ADN]

I had coworkers who I thought were friends, completely ignore my "hey how are you guys doing?" emails after I left.

[NursingAgainstdaOdds]

I'm working on a medical/telemetry floor, this is where I've been since I graduated in May 07. I'm applying for a position in an ED at a large trauma center. I had to discuss this with some co-workers, because I needed references from them. Many of them are also my friends, and I wanted to share the "good news" that I am ready to expand my knowledge and move on. Many have expressed disappointment that I'm leaving, but I've gotten nothing but positive feedback. Everybody at my current job is completely burned-out, pretty much nobody blames anybody for moving on. I've seen at least one co-worker in tears due to being overwhelmed on every shift I've worked since flu season began.

I do plan to discuss this with my director. She just started working with us a couple weeks ago. I plan to per diem at my current unit in the future (which I jokingly tell my co-workers is "so I don't forget why I left this hellhole" - and they do actually think that's quite funny). I'm really not concerned about any backlash. Two of my references are charge nurses or team leaders. They know what time it is. I've heard many people tell me "People like you [people who have long term goals to further their education] don't tend to stay here for years and years. You'll do great there".