Slow Paced Nursing

ShellyB · Apr 13, 2005 09:45 AM

I am currently a nursing student and I'm trying to figure out what field of nursing I am suited for. I can tell you that I am not good under stress and I would like to work in a more laid back environment (one that is not so fast paced). I don't even know if there is a such place in the nursing field. I have not begun any clinicals yet but I've been to the hospital many times and I sit back and observe the floor nurses and they look like they're running around like maniacs! I know that I would love to be a nurse in a slower paced environment where I can take time to take good care of my patients. Is there a place out there for me in nursing?

gerinurse10 · Apr 14, 2005, 03:42 PM

How about geriatric nursing? It is busy but not as acute in nature ie. nursing homes, geriatric homecare. You could get enough experience out of school at a rehab to then work in homecare. Homecare is alot of paperwork but a much slower pace and one on one nursing. Good Luck.

ShellyB · Apr 15, 2005, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by gerinurse10

How about geriatric nursing? It is busy but not as acute in nature ie. nursing homes, geriatric homecare. You could get enough experience out of school at a rehab to then work in homecare. Homecare is alot of paperwork but a much slower pace and one on one nursing. Good Luck.

Thank you so much for your reply. I have considered that. I'm assuming that "gerinurse" means that you are in geriatric nursing

If so, how do you like it?

gerinurse10 · Apr 15, 2005, 10:59 AM

Hi Shelly: I accidentally got into geriatrics because when I graduated there was no shortage. I had a hard time finding a job in the hospital. I jumped into a nursing home and then homecare. If you are not going to do med/surg in the hospital I would suggest working in a rehabilitation center to get experience before you go into homecare. I've worked in homecare and assisted living for 10 years. I like it, it has a lower stress level and really good hours (no w/e, no holidays). I needed this when my kids were young. Now that they are older I am going back to school for my MSN in education. My goal is to teach 1st year nursing students. Geriatrics is a huge specialty in need of nurses!! Good luck!

michelle126 · Apr 15, 2005, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by gerinurse10

How about geriatric nursing? It is busy but not as acute in nature ie. nursing homes, geriatric homecare. You could get enough experience out of school at a rehab to then work in homecare. Homecare is alot of paperwork but a much slower pace and one on one nursing. Good Luck.

I have to disagree...with the not as busy part. Yep you will get a whole load of experience with assessments, delegation, wound care, IVs, teaching etc, but where I work I never sit down. The stress is extremely high and rarely ends. I have people coming and going. We aren't a rehab facility, but just your average LTC center who are seeing more acute pts every day.
Like gerinurse said...good experience, but most places are high stress. Every job has stressors.

What about office or clinic nursing? Research? Phone triage?

*Tweety* · Apr 15, 2005, 01:29 PM

Spouse is the manager of a wound care clinic and they are spouting up all over the place. It sounds heavenly and very slow paced and low pressure.

So those jobs do exist. Good luck in school. Perhaps you might want to rethink your statement "I am not good under stress" and find some ways of dealing and coping with stressful situations. Because in order to get that low key job you're in for the most stressful experiences of your life: nursing school clincals. Don't defeat yourself with such negative statements. It's good to know your strengths and weaknesses however.

gerinurse10 · Apr 15, 2005, 02:16 PM

I should clarify myself by saying that rehab, LTC nursing can be stressful, homecare I think is not as stressful. You have to know your assessments to work in homecare so you might have to get through that learning phase ie. med/surg., rehab to learn before entering any kind of non traditional positions. I've worked in a nursing home and ran the entire day so I didn't mean to say that part is going to be low stress. Good Luck to you

galaxy781 · Apr 15, 2005, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by ShellyB

I am currently a nursing student and I'm trying to figure out what field of nursing I am suited for. I can tell you that I am not good under stress and I would like to work in a more laid back environment (one that is not so fast paced). I don't even know if there is a such place in the nursing field. I have not begun any clinicals yet but I've been to the hospital many times and I sit back and observe the floor nurses and they look like they're running around like maniacs! I know that I would love to be a nurse in a slower paced environment where I can take time to take good care of my patients. Is there a place out there for me in nursing?

Shelly,
Have you thought about taking a CNA course? Its relatively inexpensive to take the class and in most states you can do the whole course in two weeks! I just finished mine (im nuring major and its required for my school to be a CNA) and I did my clinical in an LTCF. I'm sure they can be hectic too but the good thing about a LTCF is that you have the opportunity to build relationships with the residents as you will see them on a more regualar basis than you would a pt in the hospital. CNA's arent nurses but they work with the nurses and do smaller tasks like personal care and temp, pulse and respiration, etc. This may give you some insight into what it would be like to be a LTC nurse and if you hate it then you only wasted two weeks and 500$ rather than 2-4 years of nursing school!

Hope this helps!!! :hatparty:

ham22 · Apr 15, 2005, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by michelle126

I have to disagree...with the not as busy part. Yep you will get a whole load of experience with assessments, delegation, wound care, IVs, teaching etc, but where I work I never sit down. The stress is extremely high and rarely ends. I have people coming and going. We aren't a rehab facility, but just your average LTC center who are seeing more acute pts every day.
Like gerinurse said...good experience, but most places are high stress. Every job has stressors.

What about office or clinic nursing? Research? Phone triage?

I totally agree with you. When I was A CNA at my old nursing home I loved it. When I switched facilities and went to work as a Nurse it was the most stressful environment I have ever been in! One nurse to 75 residents. Yeah, most days I didn't even get a lunchbreak.:imbar

To OP- I would say you'll just have to get out there and experience different places for yourself. You never know, maybe slow-paced will be too boring and you'll end up liking the more hectic side of Nursing. Good Luck in whatever you decide!

nurseinlimbo · Apr 20, 2005, 10:00 AM

I work in LTC and for the most part the work is steady, but not overly hectic. Some of the nurses seem to always need to work overtime, but I think that has more to do with their time management skills. The only days that I find difficult are if we have Dr.'s rounds as that puts you behind, or service plan meetings, although if you are ready beforehand it doesn't have to put you behind.
Also, I work alot of nights and weekends, which tend to be less hectic, with no planned meetings, physiotherapy, dialysis, Dr.'s appts. etc. to clutter the day. And LTC is really rewarding because you do get to know your patients and help them through the transition into nursing home care right to the end of life. I really enjoy it.

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