Do you work away from the bedside???

[godbless-yute]

Do you work away from the bedside? What is your job title? How much and what type of experience did you need to get the position? I am currently an ER nurse with four years experience, but my current position is making me feel like it may be best to step away from the bedside at least for a while. I had never really considered my nursing career being non-bedside because I absolutely loved what I do. I still love what I do, just not under the current conditions. I did my research and realized that it's not just my department, but it's the same issues citywide at least. My husband and I have decided to move back out of state, but I feel like I need to try something else in the meantime to protect my sanity and my license. Please share what you do.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I am still at the bedside (partially) as a house supervisor. But my friend has been away from the bedside for over three years.

She was a nursing staff development coordinator employed by a large for-profit company that owns a bunch of LTAC hospitals and rehab centers. After a couple of years she moved on from that and became a care coordinator at a small company that owns multiple group homes for the developmentally disabled.

She is now starting a job as a DON at a small nursing home to gain some experience in management and administration.

[Magelan]

Did you think about MDS? Or working as a case manager for Insurance company?

I did case managing for a year. To be honest, I don't like to be pressured with numbers of cases that need to be closed so I left. Bedside still works for me but I understand that after certain amount of years people get tired of it and want some change.

Good luck :)

[Pallspice_NP, MSN, NP]

I left the bedside last year..I worked in an ICU. I currently do hospice case management and I loooove it! Did I mention that I loooove it! lol. I have a normal work schedule, no nights, weekends, holidays, or call. It's pretty amazing...I make my own schedule. Not to mention, I actually get to spend time with my patients...uninterrupted, and on my own terms. If I want to sit and talk to my patient for 2 hours, I can. Also, I feel as though I am really making a difference, instead of providing futile care in the ICU.

My position required at least a year of nursing experience, preferably in case management. I did not have any case management experience, just one year in the ICU. I'm pretty sure I wowed management at my interview, though.