Are there any less stressful areas of nursing?

redwinggirlie · Sep 26, 2003

I've done home health and it's great. I'm a new grad RN and I need a few more months experience before my agency will use me as an RN (I was a CNA before). So, I plan to go back and work for them as well as a couple of shifts at the hospital.

If you're unhappy, find something else. Think right this second what and where you'd like to be.... then go!

renerian, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2003

How are an outpatient hem/onc clinic? Maybe a docs office/hem/onc?

renerian

smk1, LPN · Sep 26, 2003

maybe school nursing? they get lots of time off to recuperate!

unikuelady, RN · Sep 26, 2003

I want to clarify something for everyone. OB nursing is NOT an easy job, at least where I work. Our patient population comes from mostly low income, high risk area. (drugs, domestic voilence, teen pregnancy, immigrants that don't speak english, etc). With 3-4 mixed couplets (mother/baby/vag/c-section) patients. By the end of the 12 hours shift I am exhausted. This doesn't even factor in the postpartum hemmhorages, PIH, antepartum patients. Postpartum/nursery IS a Specialty area, If you want an EASY job...then how about employee health?

renerian, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2003

Wow I have been an RN for over 17 years and never, even thought OB was easy! LOL. I would not like being with a bunch of women in labor at all! LOL. Give me the dying patients any day...

renerian

Elenaster · Sep 26, 2003

Amy,

From what you're saying, it sounds like "less stressful" means "ready for a change." I have a good friend that works in the same area as you, and her biggest complaint is that she's stretched way too thin. In fact I hear that from a lot of floor nurses. If that is in fact what's going on with you, maybe you should try ICU. I know that may sound crazy, but I work with a nurse that recently moved to our 11-bed ICU from the step-down floor and she is so much happier. Even though there is tons of stress in ICU, you have fewer patients who are continuously monitored and you can physically lay eyes on your patient all the time. You have a lot more autonomy in decision making and are able to utilize your critical thinking skills. I also hear that an ICU background looks really good when you're looking to switch to OB.

Nursing may be a very stressful profession, no matter what your specialty, but it does afford us the ability to change direction and try to find a better fit. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

RNKPCE · Sep 26, 2003

I agree not that another area won't be stressful but it might be a different kind of stress. I think med- oncology is one of the toughest areas to work in, the patients are really sick and there are no goverment mandated ratios like you would find in ICU.

I think an oncologist's office or infusion center would be nice too. You would have a lot of the skills you would need and then some.

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 26, 2003

i think acute-care nursing IS stressful by its very nature. All you need to do is read the numerous threads about short-staffing, cost-cutting, let ALONE difficult docs and patients/families to deal with. OB is no different. Hospital nursing is just plain stressful throughout!

If you are looking for less stressful work, may I suggest you get out of hospital nursing altogether...perhaps research or school nursing, or like said above employee health....

these are not EASY JOBS, no!! I don't mean to infer ANY of nursing is easy, because we know it is not. BUT maybe these areas would provide you with the breath of fresh air you need to de-stress.

Good luck and best wishes.

LilgirlRN, ADN, RN · Sep 26, 2003

This is gonna sound weird, but go to the ED. Easiest job in the house. Stay away from trauma centers, go for a level 2. Most things seen in my ED could have been taken care of in the doc's office. Once you know what you're supposed to do with a certain patient, and many places have protocols to go by, you can do it with your eyes closed. Good luck, Wendy

renerian, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2003

Lilgirl my good friend has worked ER in the inner city and loves it but she says it is very hard as the clients come in high speed/tons of traumas. I do not know anyone who has not worked a trauma center. Something to look at though. Good thoughts.

renerian

sharann, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2003

Dear Amy,

I applaud you for knowing yourself well enough to see the danger signs. I wish more nurses would realize when they are burning out. You obviously love your work too much (like many excellent and compassionate nurses I know of), which is why you are so stressed. You CAN'T provide the care you KNOW you need and wish to.

I also think that Amy was NOT saying she wanted an "easy" job. I think she just needs a change. She knows she is interested in OB. Go check it out. Meet with managers and see what you can find. There always seem to be plenty of New grad OB programs. I'm sure many hospitals would jump to hire a nurse with 1.5 solid years of med surg under her belt.

Good luck, and don't feel that you are a failure. You had the common sense and courage to speak your mind!