I've had it with bedside nursing! What else can I do?

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2011

If I had to pee then I'd pee. Take care of yourself first. If you're no good you can't do your job. Ironically, nursing seems to be the only line of work where they teach the opposite of that.

lrobinson5 · Jan 9, 2011

Sounds like you are working on a hectic floor. Tons of nurses that I've talked to in the ER say they always thought they were born to be an L&D nurse, but once they tried it they said it was very slow and too boring.

Maybe if you going to a different floor you might find the cases to be a little less demanding? (And please, I have immense respect for L&D nurses! I'm not saying your job is too easy )

Juwon · Jan 9, 2011

Since u have ur bachelors u can be a school nurse, although u will take a pay cut but the work is relatively stress free from the rns and lpns I know that work in the school system, plus u get all of the holidays and benefits with more desirable hours such as 8-4. You can also teach cna classes, the lpn program, and the associates rn program, as well as become a clinical instructor. U could also try to work for the government as a public health nurse. Search the forums on here for public health jobs as there is a variety of jobs available and u can find something that may suits u. Nursing is very versatile and there is nothing wrong with leaving bedside. Also, have u tried or thought about working for an agency as a home health nurse? Good luck in your search.

DC Collins, ASN · Jan 9, 2011

I hear there are still some (larger) primary care providers' offices that hire RN's.

Also, have you considered ICU? Just as stressful but in a different way (from what I hear). 1-2 pts at a time. Just as much work, but not pulled in as many different directions.

You might also try the ER. Very busy, but in a different way. At least where I work, we are very supportive of each other so almost always get a break, and can almost always find time to pee :)

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Jan 9, 2011

Each facility has its own work flow and demands. Sounds like you just need a new job. In my experience private, for-profits seem to have a lower ratio. Public not-for-profits seems to squeeze more out of their employees. I would look around before you abandon the field. There are hundreds of different Nursing Jobs, I'm sure you can find out to fit.

BridgetJones · Jan 9, 2011

Have you thought about the OR? One patient at a time, you always have lift help and there are a lot more options for shifts...lots of 8-hour days available. :-) Even better is peds OR where most of the patients are small-ish. I hated floor nursing too but now I can honestly say I love my job.

1louise1 · Jan 9, 2011

I've been a nurse for about a year now, and i have grown to absolutely hate bedside nursing. I love helping people, and I dont want to leave the medical/ nursing profession but what else is there that a BSN RN do? Floor nursing is so stressful, I hate working for 12 + hours and not getting 2 minutes to run to the bathroom. Getting pulled in so many directions is so stressful for me, I work better focused on one task at a time. a typical day for me includes 2 discharges right as I'm getting an admission, right then someone goes into a rapid a fib, and a 200+ man needs help going to the bathroom but staffing is so bad that we have no nursing assistants. I'm sorry this is somewhat of a vent. But I would really appreciate any ideas on what else I can do with my degree.

do you and i work on the same floor?

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jan 9, 2011

tons of advice:

nursing career websites: discover types nursing positions or career alternatives

bbedit · Jan 24, 2011

Gosh thanks to all the previous replies. I feel similar to the original posting person. Except I have somehow stayed on my med-surg, really more surg, floor for nearly 4 years! I've tried to go other places but international opportunities want me to have worked for 2 and 3 yrs so I stayed.

My question to you all is how do I get in the OR or the ER or PACU? Those jobs at my hosp tend not to be posted. I've even emailed the manager for the OR and she isn't hiring. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

NAURN · Feb 7, 2011

I never liked med/surg nursing because I never felt like I was really caring for my pts... only completing tasks. I am in ICU now and have been for 4 years and I love it. Its not to say that I have any extra time to pee (although I do agree with a previous post that you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others) but the ICU is different. Instead of caring for 5 patients that I hardly even get to know by the end of my shift, I have 2 patients that I know EVERYTHING about. I can take the time to teach and use critical thinking skills for the more acute ones, the ones on vents and drips etc. So ICU is an option

With BSN you can also go into management positions and do even case management. You could also go back and get your MSN and be a NP or instructor

BentHalo · Mar 12, 2018

Im an AAS-RN 25+ yrs and of the Baby Boomer generation. I work in a SNF ,40 bed Unit with (typically) 3 CNAs,plus one other Nurse.

More & more is being expected along with going live w/EMR next week....

Today, stomach hurts just knowing that I'm going in. This is NOT the Nursing I was trained for and LOVED....What now??!!!