Do you have to do bedside nursing

dulcet · Jan 26, 2014

well if you look at our economy it mostly a service based industry. I blame all the outsourcing and how all the manufacturing went to China and Japan. I like the wide range of nursing like case management or even research and that is what I'm interested in. I wish the world was a different place though. My family is horrible, then my fellow colleagues and superiors can be rude as well . I don't have friends or a love life so I'm in a pretty bad place.

dulcet · Jan 26, 2014

wow I did not know that. I'm going to have ponder about that. Thanks for sharing.

dulcet · Jan 26, 2014

Thanks for your response. I'm not sure how to personal message. But I could really use some advice and help from someone who I would hope would be a mentor. I would love to talk to you further. I'm pretty stressed out.

naptimeRN · Jan 30, 2014

You can always apply for non-nursing jobs. Applying never hurts anything! I apply for lots of jobs. Like to keep options open and hear about opportunities.

Some advice based on my own experience: I have been working med-surg and tele in a hospital for about a year and a half. I do not like it most days. BUT, I have learned SO MUCH. Biggest thing I have learned is confidence with my nursing abilities and lots of basic medical stuff that will be helpful wherever I go. Most days I am way to busy with too many patients to feel like a "true" nurse, if that makes sense, (just task, task task) but it has really taught me how to multitask and prioritize which will also be needed in most nursing positions. So the dreaded Med-Surg/Tele has it's perks. I am ready to venture away now (accepted a Urology Surgical Clinic position) but I am hoping my hospital lets me stay per-diem so I can pick up a couple shifts a month. So my point, go ahead and apply for outpatient, but honestly (coming from someone who doesn't love med surg in the least) it would be really beneficial for you as a new nurse to do inpatient first. Good luck!

117800 · Jan 30, 2014

I am a school nurse who has not take the "typical" route in nursing. I started out doing home visits (mother/baby), then did some occupational health and now 13 yrs of school nursing. At this point I wish I had some bedside experience behind me because although I love the people I work with and love my work schedule I am in need of a change but don't have the experience that hospitals are looking for. I would suggest getting atleast 1 yr of bedside nursing now so you have it to put on your resume.

dulcet · Feb 2, 2014

I'm sure your experience would help you in getting a job. Personally I would love if I could take that route but that's just me.

1mgEpi · Aug 15, 2014

I don't think that is what she said or meant. I think she is saying that she doesn't feel cut out for bedside nursing because it is too stressful and it causes her anxiety.She didn't say she never wants to get near an actual patient, her examples of other jobs include contact with patients... Your comment wasn't very nice, or supportive.

danceyrun · Aug 15, 2014

I wouldn't rule out anything at this point. From my extremely limited experience (7 months as an RN), real life nursing is nothing like nursing school.

Humaneclowninscrubs · Mar 1, 2015

I am sorry to say but majority of the poop cleaning RN positions are open and all the older sneakier people have taken the easier ones.

Does anyone truly love bedside nursing? I think not. they all lie. And it does not pay anymore. More stress, less pay/abuse from patients.

All those people that hire RN;s and their badge says RN, they know what they are doing. They got out of bedside nursing and are now sucking the same pay or more for teaching BS to new recruits.

If you can apply to a professional school like dentistry, medicine or pharmacy, please do so.

Nursing is not professional or even at least a career. If I had to do nursing only and could not do anything else, I would probably commit suicide the Ernest Hemingway Style with a double barrel shotgun. I am already applying to one of those schools mentioned above and my life is going great so far. And if you think you can make a change in nursing, Goodluck with that. Tell me when you see the change LOL

Best of luck. Don't try to change nursing rather change your career, seriously. Go to a degree where you actually use your brains.

As an RN with a bachelors degree, I have yet to use my brain. The work isn't rocket science at all. Well, actually no science involved at all (pun intended) :)

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 1, 2015

I am sorry to say but majority of the poop cleaning RN positions are open and all the older sneakier people have taken the easier ones.
Does anyone truly love bedside nursing? I think not. they all lie. And it does not pay anymore. More stress, less pay/abuse from patients.
All those people that hire RN;s and their badge says RN, they know what they are doing. They got out of bedside nursing and are now sucking the same pay or more for teaching BS to new recruits.
If you can apply to a professional school like dentistry, medicine or pharmacy, please do so.
Nursing is not professional or even at least a career. If I had to do nursing only and could not do anything else, I would probably commit suicide the Ernest Hemingway Style with a double barrel shotgun. I am already applying to one of those schools mentioned above and my life is going great so far. And if you think you can make a change in nursing, Goodluck with that. Tell me when you see the change LOL
Best of luck. Don't try to change nursing rather change your career, seriously. Go to a degree where you actually use your brains.
As an RN with a bachelors degree, I have yet to use my brain. The work isn't rocket science at all. Well, actually no science involved at all (pun intended) :)

I was hoping this was "dry humor", but since I'm not sure, I'll address it.

I've been a bedside nurse for nearly four decades. Some days I hate it. Some days I love it. On the balance, it's been an interesting, challenging and satisfying career and I wouldn't go back and change anything even if I could. The pay is fair; I have a comfortable living. Differentials -- which the sneaky old folks with the easy "non-poop" jobs don't get -- give me a huge pay boost, and when my car needed a new engine I worked double time shifts until I paid for it.

If you work as a bedside nurse and don't use your brain, you're doing it wrong. But I believe you when you say you have yet to use your brain. Your attitude comes through loud and clear.

ktwlpn, LPN · Mar 1, 2015

I'm in nursing school and I just realized I don't want to be a traditional nurse. I get way too nervous and people aren't very nice at the bedside. Is it possible to do non beside roles once I graduate? So things like utilization review, triage, ambulatory care (outpatient), etc? I know the economy is pretty bad. Any input would help. Thanks in advance.

What in the world drew you to nursing ??? Is this a joke? FYI, People are mean everywhere and getting meaner especially when dealing with someone who seems incompetent...This happens everywhere ...grocery stores to the emergency room....

estrellaCR, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2015

There's nothing wrong with not wanting to do inpatient nursing, its not for everyone. Outpatient/clinics may work well for this person. Also, Original poster, people are mean everywhere... in all types of jobs and even not at work at all, for example walking on the sidewalk, riding the bus/subway, etc. Just do your job right, be polite to patients, and you have nothing to worry about. Don't take someone being "mean" personal. Some people are just crabby and miserable so don't let them ruin your day. Just be polite and provide them with good care. I found in my practice that patients classified as "mean" by the previous shifts where not bad when i was assigned with them. Most respond well to a polite and attentive nurse.