When to start applying?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

  1. How long is "long enough"?

    • 4
      1 year
    • 1
      More than 1 year
    • 0
      Who cares?

5 members have participated

Specializes in Home Health, Oncology, Geriatrics.

I'm an inpatient oncology nurse in a rather small regional hospital. I was just hired in July, 2014. Before then I had a little over a year's experience in LTC. This was my initial nursing job after graduation in December 2012 because nursing jobs are scarce for new grads in Ohio.

OB has always been my passion and my short term goal (3-5 years) is to become a lactation consultant. My question is this: How long do manners dictate that I work on my Oncology unit before applying to transfer out?

I made up my mind when I took this job that I would stay for at least 1 year since my manager took a chance on me and gave me the opportunity to work in a hospital. Not only that, but she has used money in her budget to train me and get me my basic certifications (Telemetry, BLS, and eventually ACLS).

Is one year of service long enough? Please keep in mind that I have this secret fear that I will finally make it into OB and realize that it wasn't what I thought it was. If that's the case, I want to be able to go back to Oncology since I actually really like it and would rather be there than any other unit besides OB. Not to mention, I have a great manager with decent co-workers.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I would say wait until that one year mark and then it's okay to start applying. Ideally, I *like* to give my employer 2 years of my time, but if the perfect opportunity came along, I wouldn't pass it up if it was under 2 years. You just have to consider how you look on a resume. I've applied for positions where one of the questions asked was "how many different fulltime nursing jobs have you held in the past 5 years?" Saying anything more than 2 starts to look bad (I had to say 3).

Good luck! I am a lactation consultant, so I fully approve of your short-term goals. :)

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Specializes in medsurg, progressive care.

Some hospitals (like mine) have a policy dictating how long you have to wait before transferring departments. My hospital makes us wait a year before leaving and going to another unit, however I have a friend who signed a 2-year contract, so she will be on her unit for at least 2 years or has to pay.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I agree that waiting at least a year is smart. Find out what the policy is there- you can always ask HR. When you apply, and they ask why you're leaving, you can be honest and say how much you love the manager and the unit, but that OB is your dream.

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I'm going to echo everyone else. Once is tough, and if it's remotely like the unit I was an aide on, they put a ton of time and effort to training you. That said, your skills will transfer well. Cancer patients get sick fast and having seasoned assessment skills will make you an asset.

All the best,

trisaratopsrn

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Specializes in L&D.

I think 1 years is fine!

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Specializes in LAD.

I say a good solid year!

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