From experience, has anyone had a relatively low stress nursing job ?

rnto? · Nov 7, 2012

I also think there is no such thing as low stress-it's just a trade of stressors when you're in healthcare.

monkeybug · Nov 7, 2012

I also think there is no such thing as low stress-it's just a trade of stressors when you're in healthcare.

Very true! And, it's all relative. What drives me into a fetal position in the corner may not bother you a bit, and vice versa. I have a lot of responsibility now, but compared to my old job it's a joy. But I have met other nurses doing this same job who act as though the weight of the world is on their shoulders. Perspective changes things.

echoRNC711, BSN · Nov 8, 2012

To get the cushy job you need to do your time. I'm in cardiac rehab, a breeze by comparison to the hospital. I was hired though because of my critical care experience.

I only did per diems in PP that and the nursery seemed a pretty easy number. (I wouldn't want to be them though when the day comes that they get floated ! )

A Dr. offilce I would imagine is a pretty good gig.

crb613, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2012

I went from the ER to OPS/PACU . It was a breeze. no stress, weekends or holidays. I absolutely hated it, and was bored out of my mind. I am now back in the stressful, fast paced crazy environment I love..ER, and I will never leave again!

klone, MSN, RN · Nov 8, 2012

I do. I work in clinical research. The most stress I have is if I have two study patients delivering at the same time, and I need to figure out how to collect cord blood on both of them. I LOVE my job, and the fact that I don't have responsibility for people's lives and wellbeing, for the most part.

LeilaCarmelaRN · Nov 8, 2012

Can I ask what steps you took to become a director of nursing in a facility? I am just starting out in a med-surg floor but have been thinking of going back for my master's in Nursing Administration after a few years of experience.

BostonTerrierLover, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2012

I took leave one time to get in on a Research Project at Tulane University after Grad School, and it was extremely interesting and I had the autonomy, ability, and setting to take it all at my pace. The only negative was the extreme pay cut, so I was back in the Emergency Department soon, but when I retire, you'll find me in some University's Research Department(especially since Wal*mart done away with door greeters).

Also, many nurses are pleasantly surprised how low stress Emergency Departments CAN be, I know they're certainly not known for that, but that's because we keep it big secret, lol. Think about, the majority of the time, it's not bursting at the seems, the doctors already there-no unanswered pages, or crappy phone signals. You have algorithms and standing orders for symptoms, and if you get a really horrid baby sitting required patient, you get them to the floor or door really quick (halfway joke), and ER has the best Coffee (besides one LPN who snuck De-Caf in on us, and has been missing since (another half joke). But all in all, despite a Very rare hair pullers, the ER/ED is one of lowest stress jobs I have ever worked.

LilRedRN1973 · Nov 8, 2012

I work in a nursing job that is low stress 90% of the time. I am a psychiatric nurse in an outpatient medication clinic. The majority of our clients have been stabilized on medication and come in every 3 months for their appointment with the psychiatrist. I work in a clinic with about 8-10 other nurses; we are paired up with psychiatrists and APN's. I am allotted 30 minutes with each client, get an hour for lunch, work 7am to 4pm and never overtime. I have weekends off and paid holidays as well. The pay is decent ($30/hr) and the benefits are "okay" (they used to be better before my state's budget went in the toilet). It is pretty low key most of the time; maybe a couple times a month, we have a behavioral problem with a client who has been off their meds or a substance abuse client mad because they aren't getting benzos prescribed. It's a far cry from the trauma ICU I was at previously. I have no urge to ever return to hospital nursing, although there are some aspects I miss about it. I'm pretty satisifed with my job, especially the teaching aspect. I am able to do a LOT of patient education, which I enjoy.

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Nov 8, 2012

I work in home health case management. Very low stress compared to hospital nursing and LTC. And way better pay! But had to have 5-7yrs acute care experience, preferrably med surg.

monkeybug · Nov 8, 2012

I do. I work in clinical research. The most stress I have is if I have two study patients delivering at the same time, and I need to figure out how to collect cord blood on both of them. I LOVE my job, and the fact that I don't have responsibility for people's lives and wellbeing, for the most part.

Cord blood will be collected anyway for type and screen and (in my state) syphilis. Why not talk to the nurse manager? Nurses are used to collecting for cord blood banking, it probably wouldn't be much of an issue to get yours, too, although the mandated tests would probably take precedence if there isn't much blood in the cord.

PMFB-RN, RN · Nov 8, 2012

My current job as full time rapid response nurse is among the least stressful job I have ever had, this despite the fact I am involved in every code, trauma, crashing patient and critical situation in the hospital and around it. The reasons it is so low stress are, the team respects each other and works well together, our (male) boss is way cool, doesn't bother us with pidly crap and protects us from anyone up the managment/ administration food chain. We get tons of respect from the staff and physicians we work with and I can't imagine a hospital nurses with more autonmy than we have. We are paid very well and have good retirement and benifits and a strong union that protects us from being fired for no reason or from being abused in unsafe working conditions and our staffing level allows us to give the great care we all want to provide. Needless to say we are NOT magnet and ARE union.

I have had a bunch more stressful jobs even though the patient care was much easier / less critical but with a bad work eviroment or out of toutch idealistic mangment alwasy breathing down your neck for every silly thing (Say hello to every Magnet hospital I have ever worked at).

Flare, ASN, BSN · Nov 8, 2012

perhaps nursing education in a hospital setting? I know a few nurses who have taken this type of job and they saw it's great. I've never personally done it, just relaying.