Advice needed on career change

Specialties General Specialties

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Specializes in ICU/PACU.

Hi. I've been a bedside nurse for 8 years, with ICU for the last 14 months. Since being in the ICU, I realize ICU is not for me - too emotional and stressful. I'm feeling burned out from my job and I want to move away from patient care - the families are really getting to me.

Two pathways I've thought about are Shift Manager and Clinical Documentation Specialist. They both have pros and cons. I love the 3 - 12s, the variety within the job, the challenge of Shift Manager (I have done relief charge for the last 5 years, so I do have a sense of what the job entails). The CDS would be very low stress, no holidays or weekends, but is it 5 days per week and I fear that I would become bored after a year.

I'm 49 and I need to work another 10 years. I'm just not sure what job path to take. I worry that if I get out of pt care and move into CDS, then future career path options would be limited. I don't know where I could move into after that. Shift Management could lead into another administrative position, but it could be very stressful.

I'm just not sure what to do. Any advice would be appreciated!

Specializes in Critical Care Emergency Room.

Have you thought about case management and certification? Sounds like after many years moving to a step away from the bedside might be a good idea. There is also insurance agencies which use telephonic case management. You may want to speak with them....don't be tough on yourself. Most of us in ICU and shitkickers from a long time ago....=)

Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
I worry that if I get out of pt care and move into CDS, then future career path options would be limited. I don't know where I could move into after that. Shift Management could lead into another administrative position, but it could be very stressful.

I'm just not sure what to do. Any advice would be appreciated!

Most, if not all nursing positions within the hospital setting are stressful to include administrative positions, which I think Clinical Documentation Specialist is. My guess is that it is similar to the stress associated with QA, Compliance, Clinical Education.. etc. As for Shift Manager.. Is that the same as House Supervisor? If so that too is HIGHLY stressful and so is Case Management (similar to bedside nursing it is shift work with direct patient contact and per shift demands). By the way, I currently work in both Per Diem and have done so for years.... Both positions have a high turnover rate because of the high amount of stress attached to the position. On the other hand, some positions outside of the hospital setting are reported by some nurses to have low stress if they are not bedside positions.

As for being bored? I do not know where you are at in your growth as a nurse. I understand that you have 8 years as a RN, but what do you mean by bored? Do you really need to have burst of adrenaline the rest of your life every day you work to be satisfied with a career in nursing? If so, stay by the bedside. Otherwise, there are plenty of nursing positions that are fulfilling and you can find contentment with knowing that you are able to accomplish successful patient outcomes and to continue to contribute to nursing and the health of patients without providing direct patient care. GL!

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

If you enjoy teaching and problem solving with peers you would enjoy being a CDS or going into professional development. I personally don't find these boring and I really enjoy working M-F without weekends or holidays. It leaves me more time and energy for the things I care about and teaching and/or orienting people and/or solving issues that crop up and/or increasing compliance with best practices is very fulfilling for me. I find I am appreciated in my job and the lack of contact with family members is something I still do not miss (two years out now). I do miss having direct patient contact from time to time but not enough to change back.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I am a similar age to you with similar retirement goals. Feel free to PM me if you like.

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