Career Change Ideas

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Dear Fellow Professional Nurses,

I am looking to recreate my career path. I have been working in the operating room as a circulating room nurse and am seeking a career that is not as physically demanding. I've been trying to think outside the box to include non-traditional nursing positions. I am willing to re-educate myself but trying to figure out how to get that education has also been a challenge. It almost seems you already have to be working in that area and have been trained from the beginning of your career. I am open to suggestions.

Any ideas and or leads on nursing positions that might be a fit would be welcome. I have a bachelor's degree and have thought about going back to school for my master's degree but I don't have the luxury to go to school and not work. I need to work and have benefits although part time employment may be an option. Your thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

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Specializes in ED/Trauma/Flight Nursing.

Less physically demanding:

Dialysis nurse?

PICC line nurse?

Employee Health?

Case Manager?

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Moved to Nursing Career Advice for more response.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

With your background, I would encourage you to explore opportunities with medical equipment companies. They use nurses for on-site educators & to help develop training programs for their sales reps.... I'm sure you must have dealt with them at your job, right? The down side? These jobs may involve a fair bit of travel.

I wish you much success. Keep us posted on your progress.

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Specializes in PACU predominately.

Please reconsider going back for your masters degree. I'm doing it right now and have 2 semesters to go. I am going for my Family NP certification.

I am single and still work full-time while in school. Like you, I need the benefits along with the income. I'm not saying it has been easy, quite the opposite, but I can't continue what I'm doing in the PACU working 12 hour shifts plus call. I started by taking what I could on-line (which was about a year of it) and for the last 2 years I've had to go to class 1 evening a week. I enjoy the interaction with other students and many of them are also working full-time.

All I'm saying is, you are at the cross road. I've been there, which way will you go?

rw77

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For rw77 --

What school are you going to? Considering a masters program as well. Any sugggestions

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Specializes in PACU predominately.

I live in NJ and attend University of Medicine and Dentistry. Like I stated in my last e-mail I am in the family nurse practitioner program. FYI nurse practitioners are in high demand right now and will be in bigger demand as the health care reform takes place. I went with family because it is the highest in demand and most versitile but it depends on your area of interest.

I took out student loans to finance my education. I plan on working with the underserved when I graduate to get my loans paid off and because I know that's where I can do the most good.. They will pay up to $65,000 for a 2 year commitment. Not a bad deal, so I took out the maximum.

Good luck what ever you decide.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Some places advertise for strictly PACU nursing jobs. With your OR experience, you would easily qualify. What about some type of clinic? Better schedule and hours in clinics. IVF, dental surgery, plastic surgery centres?

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