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

[Uhs_769]

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.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

On 9/5/2019 at 11:14 PM, Uhs_769 said:

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 Im 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 responsabilities 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 Ive 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 dont 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 "overqualify" due to being a nurse. Does anybody know someone who did this.

One of my Instructors advised me to NEVER give up my RN license. NEVER.

I advise you the same. You never know when you might want or need it again.

You could probably put yours on Inactive status. I think that would allow you to work as an aide without being held to the higher standard that nurses are held to. Perhaps you could check with a couple of attorneys in your state to find out. Also ask the licensing Board.

I applaud your being honest about your feelings and wish you the best.

[Nurse DeAnne, BSN, RN]

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 go 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.

Korky brought up something very important and her advice is solid.

[Sumdaymurse]

I enjoy this topic. I have been thinking about which nursing specialty would best fit my personality or which specialty I might enjoy. Home health came to mind. What are the requirements for working "private duty", or home health? Would it be possible to start in home health fresh out of nursing school or would I need to acquire a certain amount of experience before hand?

[Crash_Cart]

I say go for it because it makes you happy and that's all that really matters.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

If you are allowed to work as a tech/CNA, just remember that you are still held accountable to the level of your license in most locations, if not all. Maybe get your CNA and let your license lapse/expire. Of course, you lose out on the pay

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

6 hours ago, Sumdaymurse said:

I enjoy this topic. I have been thinking about which nursing specialty would best fit my personality or which specialty I might enjoy. Home health came to mind. What are the requirements for working "private duty", or home health? Would it be possible to start in home health fresh out of nursing school or would I need to acquire a certain amount of experience before hand?

You really need experience because you don't have the support system there that helps build critical, independent thinking. In fact, most companies won't hire a new grad. And the companies that do are generally shady, and will hang you out to dry at the first sign of trouble

[RNperdiem, RN]

My CNA days were a lot less stressful, if a lot underpaid. I do understand what you are saying. Being free from the RN level of responsibility and just doing patient care with minimal charting? A nice change.

Being the one taking responsibility for everything is stressful. Especially when we have more responsibility than authority.

[Nurse DeAnne, BSN, RN]

In California, I worked several private-duty jobs over the years. In each case, except for one or two, the family hired me directly. They advertised at that time in the newspaper or through referrals. In one case, an actress needed a nurse for her mother who was coming home post CVA, and her best friend knew me. After that case ended, the actress referred me to a friend of hers who needed a live-in nurse.

[DaniannaRN, ASN, BSN]

I'm surprised you're allowed to work as a tech. In my state, a nurse cannot work under their license. I thought that was in every state.

I'm with you tho...I'm a follower too. So I totally get where you're coming from.

What about case management at an insurance company? You'll still get to work with patients...either over the phone or in the field depending on what you do. Most even let you work from home. And there's no delegating, no calling doctors, no med passes. IMO, it's the perfect setting for people like us who don't want to be in charge. I've been in the HMO industry for 10 years now and would never go back.

I didn't read the other answers so I don't know if anyone else said this, but also try psych. I did residential psych (not in a hospital, in group homes) and I loved it. Also try hospice or home care.

[ComeTogether, LPN]

I feel the same way. I would have been a CNA for my entire life if they paid me better. My nurses loved me and I was able to reassure, calm and comfort my patients while making sure they had the care they needed with as much dignity as possible.

Now, I have 24 dementia patients who aren't on psych meds for their co-morbid psych conditions and it's all I can do to make sure they don't kill each other, nevermind getting more care in.

[chapm199]

On 9/5/2019 at 11:59 PM, beckysue920 said:

Uhs, I loved your post! It rang so true with me. That is exactly why I became an LPN! It's not that I didn't have the smarts, and get many questions from RN instructors of why I wasn't in the RN program; it's because I wanted to have bedside, 1 to 1 patient contact! And that is exactly what I got and was super satisfied and happy!

I ended up specializing in psych and then on to HIV counseling and testing, which turned out to be my dream job.

I don't know if you would be considered 'overqualified' by an employer, all I can say is you could try to apply in a different hospital. Perhaps psych would possibly be an area you could try. The RN's I worked with in psych, did have to pass meds, etc. etc. (and so did I) but they definitely got 1:1 contact with their assigned patients

Best of luck in finding the job you want and need!

Uhhhh. Nurses get tons of 1:1 bedside.... lol

[MOmama]

Wow. I could've written this post myself. However, I'm a new grad nurse with only about 6 months experience. I intensely dislike being a nurse. I envy the CNAs and the fact that they don't carry the heavy burden like we do.