Looking for a change, what is a "seasoned" nurse to do?

[lillian87]

I have never posted here before, but after 30+ years of bedside direct patient care, I am considering doing something else in nursing that does not include bending and lifting. I love direct patient care but my body is beginning to let me know that the end is near. I have thought about going back to school for the last couple of years but don't know what I would do or what degree to get. I wish there was a little "this is your life after bedside nursing" fairy that would come down and tell me what to do. My co-workers think go education, as I am one of three nurses who do most of the orientation for our unit. I enjoy teaching but lately I am not happy with the quality of new nurses coming out of the colleges. I had a new nurse recently who made it all the way through nursing school without ever putting in a catheter or an IV. When asked about this, she said "the instructors said the hospital will teach you these things when you get a job", really..

When I look back, I see my clinicals was sooo much different then those today, so I am not sure the college teaching route may be my thing. I am one of those nurses who work the students/ orientees to death but they learn when they are with me. I also am interested in infection control, critical thinking, and puzzles especially the ones involving "why is this patient so sick?". I am at my wits end and driving my poor husband and best friend (who is also a seasoned nurse) crazy with my trying to decide what to do. So I am going this route to see if maybe someone out there in this community can give me some ideas.

Thanks for just listening and I look forward to hearing from anyone on this subject.

Lillian87

[Libby1987]

If you want to stay in direct patient care without lifting, you can consider home health. There is a lot of problem solving as a case mgr, though not medical diagnosis related. The better relationships you develop with local providers, the more they will trust your assessment skills and nursing judgement expanding your role in patient care from task oriented and paperwork. And patient/caregiver teaching is a major part of your work.

[annie.rn]

Can't help you but wanted to let you know you are not alone. I could have written your post :-). I am looking forward to the replies.

[Farawyn]

If your hospital has an Employee Health Dept. that may be a good one. You can still draw blood, clear new employees, administer vaccines, teach, etc. I worked in Employee Health for 5 years and I LOVED it.

School Nurse. I sometimes walk laps around the building to get moving. No lifting.

[vanilla bean]

Have you looked into the possibility of becoming a clinical instructor for any of the colleges near you? May (or may not) be a nice way to keep your feet in both camps - continuing (arms-length) direct patient care and you could influence the "quality" of new nurses. You could also consider a more traditional teaching position, hospital nurse educator, public health nursing, home health, case management... Browse through the "Specialties" section and see if anything piques your interest. Good luck to you!

[RNperdiem, RN]

Pre-op and PACU seems dominated by older nurses where I work and they tell me they love their jobs. It is bedside nursing, but not quite like inpatient care.