Advice from anyone with experience

Published

Hello all, 

I am looking to start nursing school (ASN) in January 2020, Spring semester. Little bit of background on my experience, I attended college to get my BSW and realized that I was wasting my time and money, due to the fact that when I would graduate I would leave end up finding employment making around 12 bucks an hour and I just stopped going to school at that point. I now have had my first child and I am wanting to go into a career that will always be around but that will still allow for that social work type feel when it comes to working with people. I enjoyed social work a lot, but I want to spend money on an education where I can actually make a living. I am wanting to go more into outpatient care rather than bedside in a hospital setting. Where can I find this type of nursing and how realistic is it for me to get a position like that, what kind of education or extra training would be required. 
Let me also add I love the paperwork side of things as well. 
I am just stuck what kind of nursing to shoot for. 

I know this post is quite a bit, but I appreciate all of your thoughts, comments, advice in advance. 

Thank you, 
Ashley Johannes 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Graduate Practical Nurse.

Sounds like maybe RN Case Manager may be a position you'd like

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for your thoughts. 
I do have a few questions how often are those kinds of positions available and what kind of education do you need besides of course your RN credentials?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I worked at a health department for a year and a lot of the nurses there do case management. They usually have to attend a clinic at least once or twice a week or make home visits to their active cases but other than that they do paperwork and follow up calls. It's pretty chill and has more of that social work feel to it as it requires you to check on them during treatment/recovery, visit their homes or have them come in to speak to you to check in, and helping them access resources they may be lacking. You don't need anything other than to be a licensed nurse. Usually if any other trainings were needed it was paid for by our state health department and they'd just drive or fly out to the location for anywhere between a few hours to a week. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thats sounds like exactly what I want. That’s exciting news to hear, I’m excited for this journey. 

What state did you work at this health department in? 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It was in Virginia. And you might also find similar roles in community clinics or some private practices. For instance at my last job (community clinic) we had a care coordination team which was comprised of nurses who only worked in the clinic for 1-2 days and the rest of the days were spent following up on test results, care plans, and referrals. And in a private practice we had someone who just did surgery coordination (filling out forms, discussing the financial aspect, reserving the OR/ staff over at the main hospital, and patient communication throughout the entire planning process to plan pre-op and post-op care), she did no floor nursing at all just occasionally had to fill in for the phone nurse. There are definitely options out there. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

? wow I feel so relieved knowing this information I was so worried I would have been setting myself up for a career that is always there, but that I wouldn’t love! 
I am so thankful for your knowledge! 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment