Help with job search, experienced RN

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Good Morning, I am an RN with almost 15 years of varied Critical Care experience

(ICU, PACU, Emergency Department). In addition, I have a considerable amount of charge RN experience, mostly in the ED. I've taught clinical for nursing students. I recently graduated with my MSN and am looking to get into a more management-ish or educator role. I'm not sure what I want to do really. I do need some flexibility due to having small children. Something during school hours would be even better. I feel bad saying after all these years I still don't know what I want to do with my life, career-wise. Advice??

0 Votes
Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

I don't have a lot of experience in career advice, but possible a Unit Educator position might fill the bill?

If you are not interested in moving, you might check in the surrounding facilities for positions open that may appeal to you and meet your criteria.

I hope you find a good match for your excellent skills and education AND family needs!

0 Votes
Specializes in Varied.

Local CC's may have part-time instructor positions. Online schools always need MSN-prepared instructors for their pre-licensure online students and post-licensure students. Otherwise, I'd start browsing the internet and putting your resume out there.

0 Votes
Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

I have far too much experience and career advice ( 46 yrs)

I love to teach..... I admire your education and career path

I wish you the best in pursuit of your desires...

Sally

0 Votes
Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

On a more serious note the job site " indeed.com" .....compared to others out ther is superior to me

0 Votes
Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Hey, don't feel bad, at 69 yrs / age, and 46 yrs/ experience...... sometimes I don't know what I want to do....

Peace,

Blessed success for you....as you will make a good choice

0 Votes

I see this problem a lot. When I entered nursing school I did so with one end goal in mind: I want to be in a teaching hospital and be involved in clinical nursing education. I want to teach the next generation of nursing students and new nurses.

Of course things change in our lives and we kind of wonder not really what we want to do with our lives, but redefine where our current career is leading us to do.

For me, "I don't know what to do with my life" means thinking about a major career change- as if moving into a completely different field (like business manager to civil engineer as an example). But people who want to stay in the same type of work are more apt to ask "how can I redefine my current role?"

I am assuming you want to stay in nursing but you want a position that will give you flexibility with your family. And, if you really love teaching and have a heart for leading nursing students no matter what age, then education is for you - NOT management and here is why:

Management is long hours filled with meetings after meetings after meetings. The first hospital I worked at, when I was on day rotation, I saw my manager maybe 3 or 4 times a month... MAYBE. When I usually sad her, she was coming on the floor to get her stuff and leave.

Then when you go home you worry if everything is ok on your floor. You might decide to come in on a Saturday or Sunday to have "face time " with staff.

Even nursing management these days is not simply a 9-5 or a 7-3. It's much more involved.

It sounds to me like education is your best choice considering all the variables you mention. Either at a University setting or as a clinical nurse specialist. Some hospitals hire clinical nurse educator to cover a few floors in the hospital as mentors or preceptors.

Hope this helps

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment