Help? I need to reinvent myself

[BrookeeLou_RN]

I have been RN for 23 yrs. I spent last yr taking care of parents who were terminal. Quit 2 good jobs to do it...

I do not feel doing patient care is what I need right now. Nor do I feel I could actually do patient care right now. MY experience is L&D yrs ago, Mostly Home health with several yrs of LTC thrown in. I would like to teach but more staff development than academia. Have ASN, plus all of BSN except specific nursing credits required per university (Have 128 credits). I do not feel getting MSN in Education would be worth the $$ as I am 54 now.

What can I do to get a staff development job? I live in SE TN so not lots of opportunities here. I have done staff development as part of ADON or Clinical Supervisor positions but never as my sole job title.

My favorite part of every nursing job I have had, has been the teaching, precepting, orientating.

Any ideas would be welcome!

I just do not feel I can just return to home health case field manager. I am still mourning and do not feel it would be healthy to push this. Been 3 months since I lost my mother, DR says I am doing fine with mourning the losses and at the things one must do except I have not been able to work. Luckily I can manage financially for awhile. But I am bored to tears. I have volunteered at animal rescue, and at grandkids school... Nothing clicked.

I appreciate any help offered in advance.

[Black Jade, BSN, RN]

There are several teaching opportunities out there. There's Public Health, Lactation Consultant, Healthcare Coordinator or even clinical instructor. You just have to check into the job websites like NursingLink, Monster, for more description on those areas. Only you know what's best for you and sometimes you have to make some sacrifices in order to get what you want, especially in this economy. In my case, I might have to relocate. My mentor advised me if I put up limits, it will be difficult for me to find another job even though I already have some experience. I never thought that I will be going back to school, but with employers preferring a BSN (and most likely in the future an MSN), I guess I don't have a choice but to do that as well.

BJ

[bagladyrn, RN]

In addition to lactation consultant, how about Childbirth education? Have you considered getting instructor certification for BLS, ACLS, NRP, PALS?

[axr64086]

Have you checked out the Staff Development forum under nursing specialties on this forum?

Can you direct me to that forum? New to site :)

[Guest717236]

Want something outside of nursing? Just a tangential thought...

Aesthetics is something you could have your own

business. In many states you would need to also have an

aesthetic license (board of hairdressing) that takes about one year.

For a non patient role, you could look at teaching Aesthetics

you need to check the requirements in your state (board of hairdressing).

Bottom line , interesting work and you get to play with makeup!!!

And clients say, this is great and give you a tip.

It really startled me after years of working as a nurse.

Good luck on your new journey!

If you want the total reinvent yourself, wander over to the hairdressing department where the senior students will give you a new hairstyle and color...

or you could work as a Nurse in Aesthetics which is also an

interesting field.

[Guest717236]

Welcome to the forum AXR64086!

Here is the Staff Development forum-

https://allnurses.com/nurse-staff-development/

[BrookeeLou_RN]

Want something outside of nursing? Just a tangential thought...

Aesthetics is something you could have your own

business. In many states you would need to also have an

aesthetic license (board of hairdressing) that takes about one year.

For a non patient role, you could look at teaching Aesthetics

you need to check the requirements in your state (board of hairdressing).

Bottom line , interesting work and you get to play with makeup!!!

And clients say, this is great and give you a tip.

It really startled me after years of working as a nurse.

Good luck on your new journey

If you want the total reinvent yourself, wander over to the hairdressing department where the senior students will give you a new hairstyle and color...

or you could work as a Nurse in Aesthetics which is also an

interesting field.

Funny you should mention makeover.. I am looking for a new stylist to get a new hair style and fresher color!!!

Don't like to work with makeup so not sure Aesthetics would work but I am looking at a business in mobile entertainment gaming..sorta a party planner on wheels... but need to wait for estate to be settled.. but a fun job does sound so appealing.

I really appreciate everyone who took the time to make suggestions. A.N. is great!!

[axr64086]

welcome to the forum axr64086!

here is the staff development forum-

https://allnurses.com/nurse-staff-development/

why, thank you. i actually started a forum a couple of days ago based on the same subject. i'm having a tough time finding a different career path too. i'm willing to do the msn route; i just want to get the heck away from bedside care. i've had enough. other prob is that i'm a va nurse & want to stay within the system. that limits options sometimes. if you have any ideas, i'm all ears. so far, i'm considering informatics.

[axr64086]

Do you like computers? I teach clinical documentation via an EMR. Informatics is HOT right now, and many health systems will hire and train nurse even without IT experience, because of our clinical focus. Just an idea...

PS the $ is good.

Is it still hot concerning government work? I'm currently a VA nurse with 6+ yrs. tenure that I don't want to lose.

[at sea]

KJStarling,

Yes, I am VERY interested in clinical documentation via the EMR, although cannot find any promising leads on landing a position here in Dallas. What are your thoughts?