where else do ER nurses go?

[rearviewmirror, BSN, RN]

I cannot imagine myself doing bedside hardcore ER nursing even to my semi-grey hair days, and I have grown pretty tired of the ER crowd, its back breaking labor, emotional drought it causes, and so on. I have looked into case management, administration, and also even though I have sworn to stay away from the bedside after this ER, I take my interest in procedural type of nursing (i.e: OR, GI lab, Cath lab) instead of ratio-based nursing (inpatient, ER, ICU, etc).

I will be honest with you, I don't get a "kick" out of saving lives, helping people with narcotics, doing work ups to tell them to f/u with specialist or pcp after discharge, all the way down to handing out prescriptions for cough, flu, lady partsl discharge. I know there are other nurses out there who feel this way, and that is not bad as long as you do your job well and don't lash out on patients for your bitterness.

What are some good fits for ER nurses like myself? Where do nurses who don't want to do this forever go?

[scoope23]

What about going into Public health? I know of a few ER nurses that went into Emergency Preparedness type roles with local and state health departments

[Dying2nurse]

ER nurses usually see a fair amount of Psych patients. You could always use your ER experience in a Psych facility.

I hope that helps! ������

[guest464345]

I think you'd have lots of choices. Employers seem to hold ER nurses in high regard. It seems that ex-ER nurses do split off between the two dramatically different areas already named....procedural stuff (especially cath lab) or complete-opposite-of-ER stuff (anything from public health to legal consulting to joining up with some aesthetic clinic).

Some can't resist coming back, even though they swore they never would. Others, like me, run for the hills! Good luck with your decision.

[Ryan RN]

out of curiousity, how many years have you been in "the hole?"

everything that you said, sounds just like me. after 9 years of being I the ER, im finally getting out to go to endoscopy. based on my experience, employers don't really care about ER experience if you are applying to a completely different unit. im very lucky to even land that endoscopy position, mostly due to me charming the director and staff on my interview.

good luck on your journey into a completely different unit

[rearviewmirror, BSN, RN]

I don't think I can do psych, I am trying to get away from patients and that includes crazies hahaha. I swore to get away from bedside care but it appears that case management is practically the same thing: baby-sitting bunch of grown up adults to make sure they comply with medical regimen, which is what a responsible adults should do anyways, but I don't want to baby sit people all my life. Procedural is nice because most of times patients are knocked out/sedated, and lots of times they are getting procedure for legit reason.

I am seriously looking into administration now too. It's applying concept of business, metric and numbers into healthcare, which is all about money and revenue to begin with anyways.

[gospa]

Most of our ED nurses leave for PACU or cath lab.

[ShaneTeam]

If you are not wanting bedside, what about informatics, or get your MSN, then go into research or teaching.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't recommend case management, a huge headache of a job. I did it for 9 months. At my ER most nurses transfer to PACU or Ambulatory Surgery. If you want out of bedside, I'd either try to get into admin of some sort. There's options, just got to find the right one.

[elppaym, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Same here most of the nurses I work with go to PACU, Cath lab, IR, etc...and additionally a good number went back to school for FNP also.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I am either going the educator route or Informatics. We'll see if this week brings me offers! :) I had two interviews on Friday, that was kind of tiring but awesome. Good luck finding your bliss!

[Ranax]

By your reflection on your ER care, I'd say it sounds like you are burnt out, which is not a good place to practice nursing (in the ER). Change your scenery, ASAP.

The unconscious patient specialties may be a good transition. Try the OR, this would work.