Life after Quality?

[APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

I have worked at the bedside for my entire nursing career, and am now looking at several new positions at my hospital. One of which is in QI nursing.

My concern is that this full time position will prevent me from keeping my CCRN. I worked really hard to earn that credential, and loathe the thought of losing it.

However, I am more concerned about my back and functional health.

My Biggest concern is: What if I hate QI? What are my options with a critical care background and experience in QI? What is a logical progression for someone for what I have described?

Has anyone else made that transition and loved it or regretted it?

Please let me know.

PS: I have visions of sitting at a desk in a dimly lit closet somewhere with a lightbulb dangling down from a piece of wire, pouring through chart audits while eating popcorn. I need a new script for what QI is like.

[QTBabyNurse, BSN, RN]

I worked in Obstetrics for more than a dozen years and then slowly moved to Quality. I'll be honest, it was an emotionally difficult change and continues to be, although I enjoy what I do now.

The difficulty for me was not feeling like I "made a difference" anymore although rationally I still do. Actually I have the ability to make a difference to MORE people than when I worked bedside, I just don't visibly SEE it like I did when I worked bedside I also miss "my babies" since I'm no longer in OB.

What DON'T I miss? The stress. The stress of having MD's induce a bunch of patients before they leave on vacation. The stress of taking care of more patients than is safe. The stress my body was under for 12 hours at a time.

Is there a way you can do some projects on the side for the Quality department before you give up your Critical Care position completely? Possibly doing some chart reviews to get a feel for what that is like.

I am literally "in charts" for 75% of my day. It can feel isolating sometimes with less social interaction than you currently receive as a bedside nurse. That may or may not be something you would like. After having my attention pulled in a million different directions as a bedside nurse for years...it is a joy to be able to concentrate on one thing at a time now!