Help.. I want to advance my career while still being a bedside nurse..

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Specializes in Surgical ICU.

Hi guyz. I posted this somewhere else, but I thought that it was a separate topic.

I just graduated, got licensed, and hired as a SICU nurse. I have a lot of time before I hit this dilemma, but I like to plan ahead to work towards my goals.

I love working bedside, but I do want to advance my career. I would love to go back to school and get my Masters but so far all I hear is about becoming a CRNA or NP. I shadowed CRNA's and circulating nurses in the OR for months and though I would love to go to school and learn the science behind a CRNAs job (and my grades would make me a competitve applicant as soon as I get the ICU experience), I dont know if I want to be in the OR. things there get monotonous very fast :yawn:. And as for NP,.. I dont want my own practice and is there really a place for a NP in the ICU especially if i still want to do bedside career.

My question is: what are my options. do you know of any other way I could develop my career, and further my education while still doing bedside care? Or just any other option even if its not bedside?

Thanks in advace :):wink2:

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Specializes in SICU.

I work with plenty of bedside nurses that have Masters. Some are NP's that have stayed at the bedside, some have a Masters in Education or Clinical Specialty or Administration.

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Specializes in ICU, Education.

Hello I see you,

I am struggling with this dilemma right now. You don't have to leave the bedside because you achieved a higher degree. I went on to school because I wanted to teach, and I have found these last few months that I really miss the bedside. I am going back (part time if I can find a part time bedside position, but full time if required). I am going to cut my teaching down and pick up bedside again. I have no interest whatsoever in management. I really do love the bedside. I am truly hoping to find a place that honestly practices real shared leadership, so that motivated staff nurses can have a say and influence practice. Some of the best places I have worked have involved staff in evidence-based committees and let us guide our own practice. This is what I am hoping to find. I was never after career advancement. I just wanted to have an impact. I think I may be doing that a little bit in teaching. But I know I did it at the bedside.

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im not super familiar with the responsibilities, but check out becoming a acnp acute care nurse practitioner. They are active in coordinating care in critical settings. there are a lot of posts in the advanced practice section on here

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Specializes in Surgical ICU.

Thank you so much guys. I feel a little bit better knowing that others have hit this problem as well. I will definitely be researching my options in the different specialties as well as an acnp. I don't want to rush to get my masters without really developing myself as an ICU Rn first, but i want to take my time working towards a set destination.

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depending on the area of the country you are in there is the option of a cinical nurse specialist. The education for that is more towards the education, resource nurse type focus. I know they are common in some areas and not in others. I'm kinda in the same boat as you, although I have been out longer, I know I don't want CRNA and I'm not really sure that I want to be an NP either.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

There are Clinical Nurse Specialists and Clinical Nurse Leaders who work in hospitals in roles that involve both direct patient care and also clinical leadership -- consulting on difficult cases, introducing the latest clinical practice improvements into practice, etc. Many nurses in Staff Development roles also combine staff education with direct clinical practice. I also know many faculty members who teach only during the traditional school year -- while they maintain a clinical practice part time.

Other nurses move into roles that specialize in certain types of patients and/or specific aspects of practice -- such as Infection Control, Pain Management, Palliative Care Coordintion, Ostomy Specialist, Diabetes Educator, etc. There are lots of possibilities. You just have to find the one that is a good match for your particular interests and talents.

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Specializes in ICU.

There are ARNP's that work in the unit! :)

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