[nadjjaa]

Hey guys, I am a new nurse...I've only been working a month as an LPN in a rehab hospital. I can't say I love it or hate it, but I know I don't want to say there forever. I will have my RN in december, but I am wondering if I really want to go the traditional med/surg route with my nursing career. Trouble is, they didn't really emphasize the other careers available to people with nursing licenses and nursing knowlege in school...

As far as jobs/positions...what is out there as an alternative to bedside nursing?

I apologize if this has been asked before!!

nadj

[Jershar]

Hello,

I think an alternative to bedside nursing would be to look in sales of medical equipment. For example if you look under the www.OSIAI site you should find open positions nationally for Surgical Specialist. Individuals in this field support the sales team. If you have experience in a hospital setting or better yet the O.R. this is a great alternative.

Best of luck.

[jjjoy]

There are many threads on this. There's a search option on the site. Click on the "forums" tab at the top of the page to pull down the menu. Second down on the list is "search nursing forums." Click on that and you can do searches on previous threads from there.

[pagandeva2000]

I am sure that there are. I am also an LPN and I remember going to my girlfriend's graduation and one of the guest speakers spoke of things that LPNs can do without dealing with the bedside, such as insurance, case managing (but it is called something else, because my state says we can't do that). I know you are close to your RN and that will lead to even more opportunities for you. Just keep your ears and eyes open. They will come.

[Lisa CCU RN]

Public Health nurse or homecare or hospice. Home health is awsome.

[nadjjaa]

I know of things you as alternatives, such as research and such, but none of them seem to entry level - all seem to require -3-5 years of med/surg or something like that. Anyone know of any types of jobs that nurses can do that you don't to do wait for?

I just applied to work for Bosley (surgical hair replacement)...who knows if they will call me back but it looks very interesting! The ad said no experience needed!

nadj

[finsterkoenigstan]

I work in a children's psychiatric hospital, and while it can be both psychological taxing and dangerous, I find it very rewarding. Getting the kids to GO to bed is usually a challenge, and very few nursing jobs give you an opportunity to go dig in a garden with the kids or shoot hoops. I don't know what's offered in your area, but it's something to look into.

[at2726]

Office nursing is always an option. I work for a dermatologist and plastic surgeon. Before this position I worked in a gastroenterology lab.

[Sarahe23]

I work as an RN in a residential treatment program for pregnant and parenting teens with drug/alcohol addiciton issues who are trying to get back on their feet. The pay isn't nearly as good as hospital nursing... but the hours and the co-workers are great!

Sarah

[kurlyy1]

Originally Posted by at2726

Office nursing is always an option. I work for a dermatologist and plastic surgeon. Before this position I worked in a gastroenterology lab.

I am very interested in derm nursing. Do you have any suggestions on how I should get into that field? I am about to start my first nursing job on a telemetry floor and will be there for at least 6 mo. but I would eventually like to do derm nursing so I can go to grad school and become NP of derm. If you don't mind my asking, what do you think the average pay for a derm nurse is?