advise needed

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Specializes in PCCN.

Hello- i have been an rn now for 3 years, working on what was previously a post cardiac intervention unit(post angioplasty) since my graduation. Our pt census has changed so that we are now getting the heavy medical pts along with our plasties, and i just cant do that anymore. I am finding it harder and harder to keep up with things. As time goes on , I am getting worse- i end up staying late to catch up on charting( and i used to be able to do that- chart as I went, but now we are lucky if we even get a chance to dash into the br, much less chart as i go. I am not cut out for handling 5, 6 complicated patients, and we are short staffed alot also. So, my question is, without throwing this whole degree away, how do I go about finding other types of jobs that are for Rn's? I have been told by others" oh go work for an insurance co, or sales, etc. None of those types of co's are hiring nurses in my area, and all the sales jobs I have seen want proven sales records, which I have none. I had thought maybe trying the OR, as I used to do physical work prior to becoming a nurse; i wouldnt know how to go about obtaining one of these jobs with no scrub experience. I can't do any on call type jobs at my current hospital because i can not meet the on call time- i live 50 minutes away each way, so that leaves out working in the or there. I guess I dont know what advise I am really looking for- it seems that I am stuck in bedside hospital nursing , as that is what is available in my area. I would even consider taking less pay, but then that means we have to file bankruptcy, as we can not sell our house fro what we owe on it, and 90% of the bills are paid with my pay. Gosh theres so much to think about here. any suggestions?

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Specializes in PCCN.

Well, since no one can offer any advise, i will take things into my own hands, and start looking at going back to school for another profession. Buh Bye Nursing:angryfire. I will be glad to give back my license to be abused, sued, harrased, and stepped all over. Thank You.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Sorry you have had no answers, it is a hard decision to make and something only you can decide on what is happening in your area. You could try another area like paeds if there is that opportunity

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I find it hard to believe that no companies outside of acute care hospitals are hiring in your area. Perhaps you are looking in the wrong places. I always find http://www.careerbuilder.com to be a great website for finding nursing jobs. There will be postings for hospitals and agencies, but there are lots of other opportunities if you dig deep enough. Also, most job postings say that they want "x" amount of experience, but you never know unless you try. I've been offered jobs in the past that had very specific experience listed that I did not have. Experience is usually just one of many factors.

Also, no need to get so upset because noone initially replied. You should be taking the initiative and taking things into your own hands- it's your career! I have heard similar things from nurses that are burnout in acute care, that they want out, but they can't because of the pay, etc. I get paid much more in my position as a rep for a home care agency than I ever did as a staff nurse. You are only stuck in bedside nursing if you allow yourself to be.

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Specializes in PCCN.

Thank You. I think it is difficult to find those jobs in my area because we have 5 colleges pumping out new rns and the market is saturated(and the employers know it!)They know if you dont like your job, a new grad will take it for you. So since so many RN's here in Rochester are so dissatisfied, any job that is non hospital or nursing home is snagged up. I see that many of the Home care agencies are asking you to have home care experience. I know I should probably move away from this area(been here 42 years!) but it hard to make all the pieces to the puzzle fit- selling a home that is no longer worth what is owed on it, etc. Which is why I was asking for guidance. Thank You for your help.

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Specializes in LABOR/DELIVERY, Neonatal ICU.

hey i would change your specialty!! get into an internship in something totally different..

i LOVE NURSING!!! so many options, i have a killer schedule, and i make awesome $$ in california!

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Specializes in OPERATING ROOM, ICU.

Working in the operating rooms is very exciting, and very physically demanding. Not all hospitals require circulator to be able to scrub.

Also, just because you live outside the call in distance, you could stay locally. Call burdens differ by specialty and facility. Call rooms may be available for you to stay in depending on your facility. If you are interested, check out working in surgery. One thing is for certain, it is never boring. And one of the best things about surgery - you have one patient at a time! Good luck!

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Specializes in PCCN.

Thanks gals, this advise is helping. i had looked into or- there is a small hospital 10 mins from me who i was hoping to be hiring , but it is only part time; i would have to work on the floor one or two of the days to make up the hours/ insurance. I guess i should go talk to the recruiter there? i have never done this before- i have held only 3 jobs my whole life, 3 yrs at micky d's(hahaha) 17 years for gm, then the last 3 at the hosptal.so i am not well versed on job hopping. what do you ask the recruiter? is it wrong to ask what the salary will be or what the insurance costs are? or what the hours might be?would the hospiatl train me since i have 0 or experience? thanks for the help- chris

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