I'm a nurse, and believe it or not, I want to be a tech/assistant

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I've talked to another nurse about this but she told me to quit playing around. So, perhaps I should have posted this topic under nursing humor. But I'm serious, I'm about done being a nurse.

I have been a nurse for almost a decade and I am one of those that is very unhappy with my career choice, no matter what unit I work at. The nursing responsibilities are killing me slowly.

I have realized years ago that I have no interest in medications, calling the doctors, or delegating the techs. I am a follower, not a leader. When we are short a tech and too many nurses, I get so excited to be the tech for the shift. I love the hands on experience, I feel like I've helped them more, than passing meds then charting from a desk far away. I love being there for patients, I like talking with them, I don't mind the physical labor, and especially the the pay decrease.

I just want to be happy with my job. as silly as it may sound... If i were to give up my license and become a tech, would i be hired or would I "over qualify" due to being a nurse. Does anybody know someone who did this.

I can totally get what you're saying I used to be a CNA before becoming a nurse because I wanted to get real experience with patients and I knew I wouldn't learn enough in nursing school.. I actually missed them or one-to-one interaction you get with the patients. That being said however I went into private nurse care where I work in patients homes and Bill Medicaid directly. Officials that need, and I can select my own patient or patients. Techs or CNAs now do the jobs of what nurses used to do 40 years ago. Nurses do a lot of the job that doctors used to do 40 years ago etc etc.

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1 hour ago, NevadaFighter said:

I know someone that quit being a nurse and started working private duty in the home. He seemed really happy with his decision!

Nurses work "private duty" or extended care in the home. It depends upon what the client requires of this person as to whether or not he is performing the duties of a licensed nurse, home health aide, or companion, or all at once. Anyone working in the private duty capacity is advised to carry , just as someone who works in a facility or for an agency.

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When I was working on a med/surg floor, I saw a nurse aide who used to be a LPN. I don't know the details (LPN licensure, pay, etc) of the lady though. The hospital had chronic retention issue of both nurses and aides, so it must be helpful to the hospital no matter what role the lady did. I personally loved to be assigned to act as an aide and help around when aide was short. I felt it was much less stressful than being a nurse.

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Specializes in Progressive Care.

I don't think you are crazy at all! I feel the same way as you...which is why I end up staying after my shift to catch up on charting. I became a nurse to care for patient's...not stare at a computer screen! Unfortunately I can't take the pay cut so I'm stuck working 14 hour days to finish all of my "RN" duties. Techs and Assistants don't get anywhere near the compensation they deserve in my opinion.

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Specializes in Medsurg.

Try primary care nursing maybe. I can sympathize with you

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Specializes in Oceanfront Living.

I believe what you want to be is a nurse as nursing was in the past. The ideal that caused many of us wanted to be nurses and to help the helpless.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

I worked with a wonderful CNA who had actually graduated from nursing school in the Philippines. She decided not to get a US nursing license and got a CNA certification instead. She was great to work with and great with the patients.

I don't think it's odd at all to decide the added responsibility isn't worth it.

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Specializes in Mental Health.

I agree with the wound care suggestion. I did a few months for clinical at a wound care clinic (not in a hospital) and it was pretty much sit and chat all day while wrapping feet. Had pretty much the same patients a few times a week and got to know them pretty well pretty quickly. I actually enjoyed the patient interaction a lot there and the fact that I recognized so many of the people coming after a short time.

Seems like a better alternative than cutting your salary by 60% or more.

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Don't think a doctor's office is they way to go unless you love vaccine administration, telephone triage and Epic. And everyone in the office including the docs will expect you to know everything.

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I understand this. Sometimes I consider going back to school to be an RT. Or work in the ED as a tech only.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Knowing what I now know, I wish I'd gone into radiology. X-ray, CT, or MRI tech? I kick myself now.

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I love this post! I can tell you that you might love a private duty position however they usually hire LVN or CNA but I say for for it. There is more to life than money and if you can afford to earn less and get by then do it. However you might want to try it on the weekends at first.

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