Deciding New Specialty - Advice!

[CBreezyRN]

Seeking helpful advice and input!

I have been a nurse for 3 years, and while the first 6 months was spent in CVICU, the remainder has been in MSICU (all on night shift with the exception of 12 weeks initial new grad orientation). I am seeking a change, and am torn. I love working critical care, but my particular unit is wearing on me for a few reasons. One, I am kind of bored with patient population. Two, I am not thrilled with leadership changes and management of employees. Three, my growth is being limited because of the prior two things. So - to take a break (probably will still on my unit as PRN to keep my skills and foot in the door), I am thinking of a change. I feel my options are narrowed down to PACU and ED. There are pros and cons to both, but I am torn which direction to go in. PACU seems to offer less weekend/holiday time and more even paced atmosphere, whereas ED would be do my three 12's, at a much faster pace, but still stuck with lots of weekends and holidays. I have a young one at home (almost 7), and a husband that works a typical Monday-Friday (sometimes Saturday) job. Any advice as to which is better?

Thanks!

[DextersDisciple, BSN, RN]

Have you ever considered IR or cath lab? They both require critical care experience and usually have outpatient hours like 8-5 mon-Friday. Both departments usually require call though but depending on how many people are in the department it may not be that often.

They’re closed on holidays with just a team on call. Nurses who like to be on call/need the OT are usually willing to pick up shifts for people who do not like call. Really nice gig, i highly recommend it ?

[rearviewmirror, BSN, RN]

You might want to try going off bedside altogether which is what I did. Work life balance is pretty awesome. You did mention that you would stay prn at current ICU gig to keep up your bedside skills, so in case if you hate office work, you can always go back. I work at home for a hospital care mgmt dept and M to F 8 to 5 no major holidays is a huge bonus, and I get paid way more than if I would have stayed at bedside. With your experience you can start at insurance companies doing UR or CM or even do education or quality mgmt. Good luck!