I’m tired of being a bedside nurse...

Nurses General Nursing

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I’m so tired. I’m exhausted. I don’t want to be a bedside nurse any more. I worked ICU for a little over a year when I graduated. I now work in the NICU and have been there for going on 6 years. I went back to school and got my MSN in nursing administration and MBA. However, I cannot find a job. I am not looking for something like case management or utilization review. You don’t need an advanced degree for that. I have put a lot of time and money into my education and really want to use it.

Please don’t be rude to me. I’m only looking for options and advice. What is something I can look for to find a job where I can use my degrees? I have my own business and have for years, which is why I got the MBA, but it seems like no one cares about that. I have done relief charge on occasion as well. I also did a year on the code team/RRT. What is something that pays well and will utilize me for my actual skills?

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I agree; try long term care management. Our LTCs here are often seeking managers.

It's a start.

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Have you considered applying to leadership positions outside of a hospital setting such as hospice, home health or insurance companies? I know someone who has a very similar background to yours and was hired at a national home health agency as a Director for one of it's branches.

The VA also has Nurse Manager positions that your experience would easily meet.

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Specializes in Mental Health.

Are you in an oversaturated market area? How wide are you casting your net? If you stay with your current company you might have to work your way up through multiple levels to get where you want to be, whereas if you look into smaller organizations you can start getting some of that experience right now and will have to work your way back up to the type of environment you are hoping for. A degree is great and all, but they are pretty easy to come by compared to experience.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
On 7/22/2021 at 11:31 AM, Obsessedrn said:

I’m so tired. I’m exhausted. I don’t want to be a bedside nurse any more. I worked ICU for a little over a year when I graduated. I now work in the NICU and have been there for going on 6 years. I went back to school and got my MSN in nursing administration and MBA. However, I cannot find a job. I am not looking for something like case management or utilization review. You don’t need an advanced degree for that. I have put a lot of time and money into my education and really want to use it.

Please don’t be rude to me. I’m only looking for options and advice. What is something I can look for to find a job where I can use my degrees? I have my own business and have for years, which is why I got the MBA, but it seems like no one cares about that. I have done relief charge on occasion as well. I also did a year on the code team/RRT. What is something that pays well and will utilize me for my actual skills?

feels for you ❤️ 

don't mean to just say "I hear you!" ... I really do. it sucks. am in a similar position. at the end of the day you DO have quite a lot of experience and education. apply and try. see what lands. that's what I've been doing and so far has worked out okay. 

 

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Specializes in ER, Pre-Op, PACU.
On 7/22/2021 at 3:21 PM, SmilingBluEyes said:

I agree to a point. But if they have "done their time" there, sometimes they can make excellent administrators. As long as they do not forget where they came from. Your point is well taken.

What about advancing in education? Do you like doing education?

I agree with a lot of these points. Nothing wrong with needing a break from bedside and you now have quite a bit of experience. 
 

The education option was one I was going to bring up (working with nurse residencies, nursing students and/or schools, etc). Another option is to find a fulltime charge or supervisor position at a different NICU if one isn’t available at your current job.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
On 7/22/2021 at 3:45 PM, Jedrnurse said:

Dang. I'd be telling them "see ya!" in twelve different languages...

"in twelve different languages..." 

lollll. you're great 

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This is why I accepted a job at a clinic!

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Specializes in Neurosciences, stepdown, acute rehab, LTC.

We have clinical lead roles at my work. It sounds like youd be good at that. 

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Specializes in Education.

You can look into a clinical educator for a medical device company. 

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