Low Stress Specialties

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Hello, so I’m wondering what are some good low stress units within the hospital. I am starting school in the fall (getting into public health non-nursing related) so I would like something that would not make me feel emotionally and physically drained 24/7 (if that’s a thing in nursing LOL). Currently work on a medsurg/tele unit that is often used as a step down from ICU. Very busy and 6 patient to 1 nurse ratio.

Specializes in Hospice.
On 6/28/2020 at 7:57 PM, DLS_PMHNP said:

Home hospice. Rewarding. Make sure it's and HOURLY position at a non-profit. or they will work you to death.

I am an on call hospice nurse, I work 7 on and 7 off. My hospice is for profit but small around 45 patients. I am also salary but barely work 36 hours. I have been out for 24 hours at a time but it is rare, and I always have a back up nurse. My last work week I was not called out for 3 days. I think the key is census, if I was salary I probably wouldn't bring home what I do as salary pay.

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Any nursing job where you actually have to deal with patients is stressful by design.

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty AND Child/Adolescent Psych.

Some  of my shift are stressful , few are very stressful, but overall I think on average my shifts are pretty low stress for a nursing job but of course this is all subjective. I have been at this current facility since 3/31/20 and overall the pay/benefits vs stress level is actually really good. The hardest part / most stressful part for me is trying to get enough sleep since I work overnight. 2 shifts a week 7p-7a and 2 shifts a week 11p-7a.  My most stressful shifts are usually when we have a call out(s) and/or if we have time intensive behaviors to deal with on "change over" night. Changeover is the last night of the month and its the responsibility of 3rd shift to check and change over all the paper MARS for the new month which can be very time consuming. besides change over night I have never felt rushed and really stressed for a full shift. There have been 6 change overs since I have been working here , I have had to work 4 of them. 

I work at a residential psych facility for children and teens. The program is supposed to be 90 days on average and some clients do only spend a few months here but there are some that have been here for 3years. 

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Come to the dark side: long term care. It's the ***** wild, wild west of nursing and if you know what you're doing it can be very easy most days. I also only work 4 8's (32 hours) a week and it is b-e-a-utiful

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Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.

If you are getting your BSN then look into cardiac/pulmonary rehab. Your tele experience will be a BIG plus. Nice hours, no weekends or shifts, fun atmosphere. Worth waiting for, IMHO.

 

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Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health.

Public Health right now is very stressful. Many people do not believe that COVID-19 is real or that the government is just trying to control us. 

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Specializes in 11 YRS ER RN, 6 YRS Travel RN, New Grad AG-ACNP.

My last semester of NP school, I worked in nuclear medicine/radiology. I've been an ER nurse for almost 12 years. The most easiest, low stress job I've ever had as a nurse. I worked four ten hour shifts, on call every other weekend for nuclear medicine. 

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Specializes in Neurosciences, stepdown, acute rehab, LTC.

Ambulatory care or clinic can be somewhat fast paced but I think overall less stressful than inpatient with predictable hours. Could also try PACU if you are interested. I find long term care to be extremely stressful and would not recommend. 

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