Other jobs for RN besides direct patient care?

[0.adamantite]

Hello all, I am a long time lurker and am joining because I am at wit's end. I have the magical year of experience in acute care after graduation, but I am not happy where I am at. I don't think acute care is a good fit for me. I am stressed, overwhelmed, and it is continuing to influence my health and home life. I am current a medical surgical nurse on a wing that cares for various adult patient populations. This was what I wanted to do out of nursing school and frankly I am finding that I don't like it. I can't see myself doing any other specialty. I have no interest in pediatrics or women's health, and I am not a good enough nurse/too anxiety prone to work in intensive care or ER.

I reached a low point this past week. I finish my work on time and have good reviews from my manager, but the lack of teamwork, hostile environment, heavy workload, demanding and often rude/belligerent/violent patients and families as well as the lack of time to spend with patients who need emotional support and kindness, the fear that I will make a mistake that could harm a patient, and lack of time to take breaks is contributing to major burnout. I work at one of the best facilities in the area with the highest pay and best benefits and I know it isn't any better elsewhere.

I guess my point is - I want OUT. This is not what I signed up for. I was a nursing assistant for many years and loved it. But I hate this. I want to get away from patient care - no hospitals, no nursing homes/TCU's, no home care, and definitely no psych facilities or correctional facilities. What are some out of the box jobs that an RN with a 4 year degree can do? I am looking along the lines of public health, education, research, etc. I cannot afford to advance my degree at this moment.

Thanks for your understanding and advice, even if it is to suck it up. Please be honest.

[dulcet]

It is hearing stories like this that scares me away from this profession even though all the careers I want are in this profession. Sigh. My life is going no where.

[anaparrish]

I know exactly how anyone burnt out on bedside care feels. This healthcare industry is nothing but a revolving door for one paying "customer" after another. Does anyone remember the first week of a hospital job otientation when they have all these executive pukes stand in front of a projector with meaningless powerpoints with bullets after bullets? 90% of orientation is MARKETING, 5% benefits, and the rest law required safety crap.

Sebody said to go to another hospital!! No. Burnt out and disgusted means just that. The hostile environment is mostly from hospital staff, employees who bring their baggage to work, from unkind and ungreatful families and sometimes patients who think you are their personal servant. Nursing homes are worse!!! Much worse. That's the best place to have your license yeanked. Oh yeah!!

I am stuck in the same rutt and the irony of it is that I have a previous career in Finance and I have a BS in business and a dual masters in Accounting and Finance. Now I am an RN, disgusted with the corporate greed and trigger happy patients and families, always looking for a scape goat

so I don't know what to do

anyone has any suggestions?

My email is [email protected]

be kind, even if you dont agree with me. I need guidance. Thanks a bunch

[elkpark]

Social work,

Own business related to nursing (BLS, CPR, continuing ed class, CNA classes, IV classes, skills classes)

Cardiac surgery machines

Medical Salesperson

Nursing Tutor

Health Education Classes

Inhouse Nurse Educator

Administration side of Nursing

Nurse Head Hunter

Legal Nurse

Specialty in nursing that get's you off the floor.

Per Diem Nurse

Float Nurse

Part time nurse

Umm, social work is an entirely different discipline. One would have to be educated and credentialed as a social worker to be qualified for social work positions.

[Kristenlaurenw]

I just accepted a job as a nurse marketer for a home care company. In the hospital, you could try recruiting, case management, utilization review, preadmission testing and education in surgical services, staff development, IT department. Outside the hospital you could work for an insurance company, doctors office, hair removal/laser place, do legal consulting or be a nurse paralegal for a law firm, device or pharmaceutical sales, device educator/rep, EMR company educator.