Transitioning out of Nursing within VA

Specialties Government

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I have been a nurse for three years now and have come to the conclusion that it just is not for me. I currently work within the VA in a mental health nurse position. I would like to stay with the VA but I am uncertain of how I can actually transition out of nursing while remaining within the VA. Can anyone give me any ideas on how to go about this?

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Specializes in Field Medical Trauma.

im sorry no one has given you an answer yet.

Iv often questioned whether or not im making the right choice by choosing nursing myself. I changed my major 5 times before coming up with nursing and that's only because I had some enjoyment fulfilling someone's medical needs.

I should look at what im doing for other people instead of myself but I also want to enjoy what I do.

I hope someone can give you some straight answers so you can stay with the VA, good luck in you're future plans and goals.

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I wonder if you would be happier in an ambulatory or telehealth type position. Have you thought about that?

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Specializes in ED, Telemetry,Hospice, ICU, Supervisor.

what about a management or educator position with the VA.

No nursing (meds, poop, etc), all paper work.

I know how you feel. I spent my entire time with combat line, with a combined arms battalion. This nursing gig wiping poop and taking crap from entitled crackheads is not for me.

Makes me angry to know where so much of my tax payer dollars go to.

Best of luck to you. Wish you the best

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

One of the great things about nursing, in my opinion, is that it provides us with the opportunity to constantly reinvent our careers because nursing is so diverse. Have you looked around at other specialities within the profession, outside of mental health?

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There are MANY options for nurses in the VA! Look at job postings; some of them are directed at licensed nurses and some of them are not specifically for nurses but you might well be qualified anyway.

Infection control.....quality management.....case management.....veteran-centered outpatient programs (ie: Health Promotion/ Disease Prevention, MOVE).....compliance. Those come to mind immediately. Look around :)

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