Getting Away From Bedside?

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I am a Critical Care RN. I love what I do - HOWEVER - physically I can not keep doing bedside nursing. I have physical disabilities that are only getting worse and I need to be out of the heavy lifting/pushing/pulling. Especially since patients seem to be getting larger, and the staffing smaller in number to assist with lifting the pounds.

I have my BSN. I am not sure if I should peruse Adult NP and try for doctors office, or try for DNP and do research, or what. I don't know what other options there are that will allow me to make the same amount of money I do now, or close enough to it, and not have to be in the hospital bedside setting.

Can anyone give me some ideas?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

im in the same boat. im currently a flight RN, (with my BSN) but the schedule, the hours, etc. I need a change. I dont want to go back to bedside. Id like to get my NP, but my current schedule wont allow regular days off that i could do class & clinicals.

Any suggestions as to what areas I can go into would be appreciated. :)

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Specializes in Infection Prevention, Public Health.

Within hospitals you could look at Patient Safety, Quality Management, Risk Management, Infection Prevention.....

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There are approximately a gazillion things away from the bedside that you are qualified for. Start by researching this topic on AN.

Myself, I work from home for an insurance company. Good luck.. you can do this.

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im in the same boat. im currently a flight RN, (with my BSN) but the schedule, the hours, etc. I need a change. I dont want to go back to bedside. Id like to get my NP, but my current schedule wont allow regular days off that i could do class & clinicals.

Any suggestions as to what areas I can go into would be appreciated. :)

There are plenty of online NP programs from accredited institutions. If you're in NY, you're limited to about 1 school that you can attend for an online NP program (SUNY Stony Brook). But other states are far less conservative than NY. It's worth a look. Obviously when you get to clinicals you will have to deal with your work schedule somehow...

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Maybe try insurance. My friend got a RN job offer at blue cross blue shield for $69,000 starting pay. They may pay more in your area. This is in arkansas. I also hear people talk about united healthcare and express scripts

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.
There are plenty of online NP programs from accredited institutions. If you're in NY, you're limited to about 1 school that you can attend for an online NP program (SUNY Stony Brook). But other states are far less conservative than NY. It's worth a look. Obviously when you get to clinicals you will have to deal with your work schedule somehow...

i can do my NP curriculum completely online..thats crazy. i had no idea!

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