Devastated - What would you do?

due to vaccine reaction i have lost a significant amount of function in my dominate arm and hand. bedside nursing is no longer a feasible option for me. i am devastated. when i lucked into nicu nursing 12.5 years ago i found my home and it is truly where i belong. my problem now is that i am over specialized. every job i apply for can't see past the fact that i only have nicu experience to see that i can do anything with a minimal amount of training. i do have my bsn which is at least getting me into interviews.

so if you could not do bedside care, what other nursing job would interest you? (maybe you guys can think of a few things i have not.)

i'd do editing/writing/reporting, but i have a lech for writing. can you teach? could you do county work and do well-baby home checks? dialysis clinics? school nurse?

She is already an RN, what would be the purpose of going to nursing school?

What about a doctor's office? I work in one now and they aren't bad at all!!

You could do research, there are many studies out there on NEC, ELBW babies, etc..

Teaching or staff education

Case Management, this is a growing area even in NICU

Also, I spoke to a case manager who told me it is very difficult to find home health nurses for infants in some areas. As a home health RN you would not do as much physical care, more assessment, medication administration. Perhaps this would work with your physical needs?

Legal nurse specializing in NICU? You could work with other legal nurses as a specialist for their NICU cases?

At my facility we have a disabled NICU RN who teaches a weekly discharge class including infant CPR

I am sorry for your health issues and I hope that the new path you take will be just as fulfilling as your bedside career.

My sister's favorite saying: When life gives you lemons, throw them back and demand chocolate!

She is already an RN, what would be the purpose of going to nursing school?

I believe the suggestion was "school nursing" (i.e. to work as a nurse at a school or schools), not "nursing school" (unless I missed something).

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I have applied for a transfer center job. Now, I'm just praying the director will consider a nurse with only NICU experience.

You could look into becoming a clinical documentation specialist if you have any background in coding/documentation.

More importantly, if you haven't already done so you should go see the people at your state's Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation/Rehabilitation Services Commission. They can help you with adaptive devices/software and specially designed workstations to suit your needs. BVR can also work with current or prospective employers to encourage them to place you in a viable position. They can offer attractive lures to employers, like reductions in tax burdens, so their help can be really valuable to you as you look for a new position.

I wish you the very best of luck.