Don’t want to take care of people anymore...

Editorial Team / Moderator · Oct 3, 2020

Maybe a lower acuity area? What area do you work in now?

LibraNurse27, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2020

I'm also reaching that point, I like taking care of people but don't want to be constantly stressed that maybe I didn't see one critical lab come through, and doctor didn't see it too, and now my pt is crashing or even dead. Too much! But I don't think you need to leave nursing altogether. Lower acuity areas like some outpatient clinics, working with developmentally disabled in a group home, utilization review, public health, and so much more. Good luck! = )

speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 3, 2020

I really do understand. First, do you just need lower acuity or more stable patients like others suggested? Or do you want out of bedside nursing altogether? If you want out of bedside but enjoy taking care of a team - maybe leadership or nursing education, etc. If you like bedside nursing, then maybe try a different form. I know the feeling.....when I began to lose compassion for my patients, there were days that every single one of them frustrated me because of how mean people can be in the ED, or I had so many high acuity patients that I went home worried that I had missed some really critical thing that could potentially cause a sentinel event then I decided I wanted completely out of the ER. Now I am in pre-op/PACU and generally surgical patients are a lot nicer. I still use my critical care background but all of my patients aren’t actively dying. There are so many forms of nursing out there! I am still thinking of education or quality nursing maybe several years down the road.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Oct 3, 2020

Try Case Management or Hospital Bed Control Coordinator

Editorial Team / Moderator · Oct 4, 2020

Clinical educator is a good one too! I went from ED bedside to trauma educator, it was great.

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2020

Thank you all! I honestly feel I just don't like the unpredictable nature of nursing. Then my kids are burning me out with caregiver strain. LOL! (roll eyes). Currently I work cardiac and I feel like I just don't know day by day which patient will crash. But honestly I know that feeling for sure won't be any better in med-surg. I guess I'll have to explore my options. ?

londonflo · Oct 7, 2020

On 10/3/2020 at 9:38 PM, Curious1alwys said:

But honestly I know that feeling for sure won't be any better in med-surg.

glad you recognize this. Med-surg is not a default for anyone.

Boog'sCRRN246, RN · Oct 7, 2020

Since you don't seem to be a new nurse, I would recommend looking into a Utilization Review position. I haven't physically taken care of a patient in over three years, but we do ensure that they are taken care of financially, which is a huge thing. The last thing a sick pt wants is unexpected out-of-pocket costs from a hospital stay.

hibiscus6, BSN · Oct 8, 2020

I am an MDS coordinator in long term care. I feel that I am helping people but I do not provide direct care; I spend perhaps 5% of my time in face to face patient contact. Long term care can be a good alternative to long term care (generally non-profits are better employers or - if you are lucky, as I am - a private company that values quality care).

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2020

18 hours ago, Boog'sCRRN246 said:

Since you don't seem to be a new nurse, I would recommend looking into a Utilization Review position. I haven't physically taken care of a patient in over three years, but we do ensure that they are taken care of financially, which is a huge thing. The last thing a sick pt wants is unexpected out-of-pocket costs from a hospital stay.

I have only about one year acute bedside tele, a year ASC, 4 years cardiac rehab (both outpt and inpt), is that enough for a utiliization review position?

**CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN** · Oct 8, 2020

I work in an FQHC. Honestly one of the reasons I took it (my first job) was that I didn’t want to be responsible for people’s lives. The most dangerous thing I do is give shots. I really really help people— I teach them important things about their care; I coordinate and help them get specialists; I listen to them cry, etc. But I am never in a situation where I’m going to make an error and have it be catastrophic.