Jumping Out of a Specialty

[mamain]

I've been an RN since 2011. Prior to that a medical lab tech for 5+ years. I've been in the same specialty almost since the beginning other than a fairly short stent in Med-Surg. I am a dialysis RN and have moved from acute dialysis nurse, to chronic dialysis nurse and now into management. However, I've been burnt out with dialysis for a really long time. I stay because I'm good at it, to be frank. I have considered on several occasions jumping into home health or private duty, mostly because I feel as though I have lost my nursing skills. Additionally, I'm in a masters program for nurse educator and feel that in order to teach, I'm not well served in such a specialty field unless I plan to teach in this field. I am really worried about jumping into something and being way over my head and that creating a liability for the patient, myself and my employer. But I also know that I'm not learning anything new by staying where I am at. Any suggestion on my next step? I am thinking of making a move after the beginning of the new year. I have a little over a year left of my master program. Thanks for any help.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I have radically changed specialties a number of times in 40 years. Inpatient Psych to NICU. Adult ICU to peds home vent care. Critical Access House Supervisor to Peds ICU.

I think you'll be fine and have the needed drive to be competent with a new patient population.

[ExploringRN, BSN]

Hi mamain! I sent you a friend request. I just started my orientation at the hospital.

[NurseSince2014]

How did you like med-surg? Would it be possible to go back to that and brush up on some of the skills/knowledge you may have forgotten? That would allow to feel comfortable with teaching topics other than dialysis and could give you an indicator as to where you'd like to go next.