Alternatives to Bedside Nursing

Originally posted by llg

By not doing the exact same thing year after year after year, I keep myself "fresh" and enthused. But by staying in nursing and building upon my previous education and experience, I didn't have to "start all over again" at the bottom of a new field and could mover "up the ladder" instead of just from side to side.

Good luck,

llg

Couldn't agree more.

Thanks for your responses.

I do actually LOVE bedside nursing and I wouldn't mind working PRN; just to keep my skills up, etc.

But I find that, everywhere I am employed, the internal politics ruins the working environment.

It's basically a contest to see who can kiss the most a** of the DON or higher-ups.

People sit around and gripe about their working conditions, but don't DO anything.

Example: the hospital I left last year now has (and I got this straight from the horse's mouth) a grand total of ONE CNA on a busy Med/Surg floor that holds 33 patients!!!

When I worked there, the CNAs/LPNs were angry if they had to SPLIT the floor ~ now they have them working one CNA for the whole floor and the RNs do what they call "Primary Nursing."

What that basically means is that they couldn't keep any CNAs, so they added to the RNs already unmanageable workload.

I see through their B.S.

p.s. right now, i am thinking along the lines of adon or something like that. but i'm not going to put in eighty hours a week as a salaried person and make what a rn does, either.

i wouldn't mind trying my hand as a don; i have no experience but i get along with people i believe i'd be good at it.

the pay would have to be there, though.

how do you get a job as a don if you've never done anything but bedside nursing?

i guess i'll have to rely on my "people skills" and charm my way in, lol.

suggestions? i'm open.

What about wound care/skin care specialist, or diabetes educator?

P.S. What's wrong with Walmart? LOL. I'm thinking Piggly Wiggly myself.

p.s. what's wrong with walmart? lol. i'm thinking piggly wiggly myself.

:roll

what about the drive-thru window at mickey d's?

heyyyyyyy!!!!!

woo!

:chuckle

Hi, What about Hospice? It is wonderful and very rewarding. AND definitely different. As one client told me, "In this place, there be angels." That is what makes it all worth it!!!

There's an idea.

I wouldn't mind doing hospice!

Sacred trust.

I have to get off here now; just got a call from a nursing agency!

LOL

Looks like I won't be working the DRIVE-THRU at McDonald's after all............darn it!

:roll

Actually the ice cream shop sounds the best, all the peanut butter and chocolate ice cream and all the hot fudge sauce!!!!!!!!

Yum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What about childbirth educator, though I suppose they may want L&D experience for that.

The head of customer realtions at one hospital is an RN, that sounds like a pretty good job.

I am applying for a community relations position with an assisted living community. Gotta get away from the bedside!! Had surgery on my back and now I am fixed and do not want to get "broken" again!!!!

After almost 20 years as a bedside nurse (Med/Surg and Nursery), my health forced me to re-think my professional goals. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 30 and bedside nursing was taking a toll. At about that time a job as a Case Manager opened up in the hospital where I had 15+ years. That opportunity has led to a job as Performance Improvement Coordinator at a sister hospital (lateral transfer - no loss of benefits).

Yep, its a desk job Monday - Friday 8 - 4:30, I work with all hospital departments in Performance Improvement and I am best friends with my computer, but I do get to eat lunch each day at about the same time and I can go potty when the urge hits.

I see no negatives with this job. I believe without a strong clinical background, I would not be as effect as a PI Nurse.

That is one reason I LOVE nursing... There is opportunity for everyone and when you need to move on, there is always something else to do.

I am grateful to be a part of a profession that allows me to continue to use my nursing skill when patient care is no longer an option.