How to make the switch to Outpatient/Ambulatory NSG

Specialties Ambulatory

Published

Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surgical.

Hi all,

I've been an RN on an Oncology/med surg floor for about a year and a half now. I went there right out of school and am burnt out. I had 9 patients last nite and it's getting unsafe. I went there because it's what was available when I graduated, and I love my oncology patients, but I need a change before I want to get out of nursing all together! The only other area I like is L&D but it's hard to get into there with no experience. So, what I'm wondering is, how do I get into Outpatient? Is it just day hours too or can I do evening hours? Because I have young kids and would have to get child care. Right now I work 3-11s and my husband takes care of the kids when I'm at work.

Any info would be appreciated. Would I be taking a pay cut too?

THANKS!!!!:D :D :D :D

Amy

Hi. I did some psych nursing right out of school then went into dermatology for a year and half. I went into Ambulatory Care thru a hospital. Where I am at, its just days. Due to the hospital being broke and major cut backs and lay offs, our unit is running very short and I have chosen to leave for an outpatient surgery center. Ambulatory care is a great change from the hectic nursing duties and load from med surg units and the like. It's fast paced sometimes and there are times where some critical things might happen but for the most part its fun and not real stressful. Our unit happens to also be the gastro lab, so we admit, circ and recover procedure patients but we also do blood transfusions, infusions, injections, paracentesis, phlebotomy, portacath flushes, picc line insertions, and other things. My dept has the potential to be a great place to work but it has nothing to do with the actual job but the circumstances with administration/management/ techs. I just called around local hospitals asking about ambulatory care or outpatient surgery and found both. I applied and got the job, then applied again to the other and got it.

I was a psych nurse before going to Same Day Surgery. Our department is called "Ambulatory Services". We have the same day patients, pre-admission testing, & endoscopy all together. I like same day the best. You are busy most of the time, but you get to see a new face everday & they are generally in good health when they leave you. The only hard part about switching to same day was that in the state hospital, we did not do IV's or blood draws. But it didn't take long to get in the swing of things.

Hi all,

I've been an RN on an Oncology/med surg floor for about a year and a half now. I went there right out of school and am burnt out. I had 9 patients last nite and it's getting unsafe. I went there because it's what was available when I graduated, and I love my oncology patients, but I need a change before I want to get out of nursing all together! The only other area I like is L&D but it's hard to get into there with no experience. So, what I'm wondering is, how do I get into Outpatient? Is it just day hours too or can I do evening hours? Because I have young kids and would have to get child care. Right now I work 3-11s and my husband takes care of the kids when I'm at work.

Any info would be appreciated. Would I be taking a pay cut too?

THANKS!!!!:D :D :D :D

Amy

Since you have some experience in Oncology, why don't you try a cancer center that may have a outpatient department.

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