Leave administration for ER or ICU??

[Borgie]

I have been an RN for 17 years working in a variety of settings (mostly what ever schedule worked with my family life at the time). Before taking an administrative position, I last worked in an urgent care where I learned a lot and enjoyed it, but after being there 8 years, I was ready for a new challenge. With my kids grown, 5- 8hr days seems great, no WE, no holidays, salary, set my own schedule etc. I have been at it for almost two years and am feeling unfulfilled. Nurse friends think I would be nuts to return to the hospital and the hospital schedule. I liked the hospital in the past (>10 yrs ago!) and 3-12 hr days---with no worries to take home is really appealing. Any thoughts?? Anyone else been in the same boat??

[ShayRN]

I stepped out of management about a year ago and haven't looked back! I missed patient care and wasn't all that concerned about the holidays and weekends. Really, it doesn't bother me at all that I am there on Sat/Sun, it is actually kind of nice and a whole lot quieter. As far as holidays, the only one that really bothers me is Christmas. I got lucky, I work with a darling, lovely Jewish woman who told me she would work every Christmas for me. If you don't think you can make that big of leap without a net, how about doing PRN somewhere to see if you will like it first. You know, on a weekend;)

[TazziRN, RN]

If it's what you want, do it!

[CANADARN13]

What about keeping you current position and doing contingent for a while to see if you really missed it that much. The grass is always greenier on the other side, so be careful

Shannon

[Dorito, ASN, RN]

I guess as long as your body could handle it and you could handle the type of shifts you might get then do whatever your heart desires. I know I couldn't go back full time to staff nursing. I have trouble standing when I get up out of a chair with my back. Best of luck to you.

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

I have been an RN for 17 years working in a variety of settings (mostly what ever schedule worked with my family life at the time). Before taking an administrative position, I last worked in an urgent care where I learned a lot and enjoyed it, but after being there 8 years, I was ready for a new challenge. With my kids grown, 5- 8hr days seems great, no WE, no holidays, salary, set my own schedule etc. I have been at it for almost two years and am feeling unfulfilled. Nurse friends think I would be nuts to return to the hospital and the hospital schedule. I liked the hospital in the past (>10 yrs ago!) and 3-12 hr days---with no worries to take home is really appealing. Any thoughts?? Anyone else been in the same boat??

Administration was way too stressful for me - I went back to patient care and weekends and holidays never bothered me. Good luck.

[MikeyJ, RN]

My clinical instructor (she must be in her late 50's) was telling us that she did ICU and Trauma for 15 years before going to administration. She did administration for another 15 years and got tired of that type of work. Two years ago she chose to go back into the Trauma field and says she is so happy she made that decision. She said it took a few months to become a fully functional trauma nurse again, but she said she is so happy she went back to staff nursing. She said she gets excited to go to work again .

[joannep]

Thanks for starting this thread, You are echoing my very own thoughts.

I am in the "perfect" admin job, good pay, no weekends, etc, but am bored to my very soul. I miss the patient contact and I miss the camaraderie.

I have only been in this job 6 mths, I would like to make it to 12 - 18 mths so it looks better on my CV, and then look for a job in ER or ICU.