Does anyone else plan to stay in bedside?

allnurses Guide · Jul 7, 2013

Nursing is in dire need of (younger) passionate educators and leaders, from unit leaders to national advocates; I hope some of you that eventually leave the bedside role end up in these roles.

Personally, I see a great role for nurses in the ACO platform. Nurses in the community working with populations on primary prevention and lifestyle management. Nurses really have an opportunity to work away for the bedside and make huge differences for both individuals and entire populations and subsequently reduce the cost of healthcare.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jul 7, 2013

Nursing is in dire need of (younger) passionate educators and leaders, from unit leaders to national advocates; I hope some of you that eventually leave the bedside role end up in these roles.
Personally, I see a great role for nurses in the ACO platform. Nurses in the community working with populations on primary prevention and lifestyle management. Nurses really have an opportunity to work away for the bedside and make huge differences for both individuals and entire populations and subsequently reduce the cost of healthcare.

Absolutely Boston.

I take advantage of being a part of committees where I work. I have been a part of shaping policies according to preceptorship, clinical competency, educational and safety issues. Those skill sets I will continue to give and seek while I'm at the bedside. I the change I seek in nursing, and am grateful I have been able to do so, first as a LPN, and as a RN. It has also given me contacts in nursing circles in my area, and I am considering more lead ship positions, even as a RN with 1 year experience.

I hope many nurses understand and know there is power at the bedside, and whether one chooses to make that step, we do have a permanent seat at the table.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2013

Nursing is in dire need of passionate good nurses to care for the patients at the bedside. It is after all what nursing is all about.....the patients.

I've been a nurse for 34 and I LOVE BEDSIDE NURSING!!!!!!!!!!!!

carachel2 · Jul 7, 2013

I loved it..I just couldn't do it anymore. I am fit, in shape, etc. but as I headed into my 40's I realized the 12 hr shifts were just taking a toll on me. Sure I would have 3 days off but the first day off was spent recovering from the previous! Also, I just got tired of all the politics and the grind and the hospital "heel clackers" (my self-invented term for all the non-clinical/CEO/mgmt staff who would come click clacking into the unit to send nurses home, implement a new EMR, lecture us about our propped up doors because joint commission was coming, etc. etc.).

However, I did NOT want to leave patient care to become a nurse manager and at the time that seemed like the only way to move up in nursing. So I went back to school to be an FNP...now I STILL get to take care of the patients I love but the hospital politics, lifting morbidly obese patients, 12 hr shifts and drama with coworkers and the heel clackers => all gone ! Love it!

If you love med-surg nursing then that is awesome. You NEED to do it. But just be aware that your life will change as you go through different stages, your family's needs will change and you may just physically not be able to or not want to tolerate it anymore. When that becomes the case, the beauty of nursing is you can do 50gazillion things and you aren't pigeon holed into any one thing.

bagladyrn, RN · Jul 7, 2013

30 years in and still at the bedside - by choice! I have absolutely no desire to do anything away from direct patient care. In fact, that is one of the things I like most about being a travel nurse - I get to do patient care, don't have to be involved in committees, am not expected to do paperwork projects and seldom even need to be charge. All of my attention can be on taking the best possible care of my patients while I am there and when I leave I can enjoy my life outside of work.

When you look at your coworkers who choose this path please consider them with respect. It is often a concious decision to do so, not a lack of education, ability, education or ambition.

rngolfer53 · Jul 7, 2013

An axiom of used car dealers is "there's a 'posterior' :cheeky: for every seat."

The many roles and setting nurses work in approximates the fit of "seats" in seats. There is no such thing as a perfect job or perfect employer. All have their strong points and weaknesses. Much is in the eye of the beholder.

Thank goodness people have different perceptions, desires and goals. Not surprisingly, those may change over a working lifetime as kids come along, go to school, etc. Trade offs in life are frequent.

I've always thought it makes sense to follow your gut as far as what feels good about where you work. I work hospice and love it. I talk to nurses who are family to some of my patients and many tell me they couldn't possibly do what I do......and I know I couldn't possibly do what many of them do.

Nursing gives one a better chance than many disciplines to follow interests and needs of the time of life one is in.

Alexis33 · Jul 7, 2013

I can relate to you because working 12's going up and down long hallways with no sort of cushion on the floors do take a toll on your feet no matter how fit one is. I am addicted to running and do a bunch of workouts so fitness was not a factor. What made me go back to school for my FNP was when I began ordering shoes with support heels/cushions/ arches/ and all sorts of fancy options to save my feet. And none of them worked for any long time.

So yes I love my patients and love what I do but love it even more as an FNP without the added politics etc. And I will continue to advocate for my patients and share all the things they need to live healthier lives as well.

Cheers!

Lexi

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 7, 2013

Honestly, if I didn't plan on having children, I would consider bedside nursing for life. Three shifts a week is a pretty sweet deal. However, I have found that children and nursing don't really go hand-in-hand, especially if you are a single mother. If I could get a high paying 9-5 gig that worked well with daycare/school hours, I would be okay with staying at the bedside for a longtime (depending on the unit, of course).

That being said, my professor stated that she expects 90% of us to have Masters/higher degrees within 10 years of starting our career and from what I've seen, it seems as though most people are interested in becoming NPs, CRNAs, etc. And that isn't a bad thing, but I do believe it is important to get a few years of bedside experience in before stepping into an advanced role.

Morainey, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2013

I love being at the bedside, no plans to go anywhere any time soon. Not interested in NP or being an administrator at this point, so I don't have a goal to work towards. I'm alright with that :cool:

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 7, 2013

I'm planning to stay at the bedside . . . I enjoy my job and I like the hours. I had a job where I worked Monday through Friday, no weekends or holidays. I HATED it. Back to the 12 hour shifts for me!

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2013

No, not at all. I don't plan to go anywhere else. I love it and I don't want to go back to school and I don't want to incur more debt. im more then happy where I'm at right now. :)

Palliative Care, DNP · Jul 8, 2013

Well count me in the pot of stepping stones! I detest floor nursing and am currently in a BSN to DNP program. I would eventually like to use my NP in hospice or palliative care. Can not imagine staying or having desire to stay a bedside nurse.