Lower Stress and Quieter Nursing Careers?

[HOH-RN]

Posted this up in another forum but have recieved no responses due to the limited nature of the forum.

Basically, I'm an ER nurse that is for health reasons, having to end my ER career. I've recently been diagnosed with an auto-immune problem that is causing me to lose my hearing. Hearing aids should help and I should be able to still communicate well in quiet settings, but the fast paced, LOUD, no time for mistakes nature I loved so much in the ER is no longer an option for me. Talking with me one on one you probably won't know my hearing sucks, but in fast paced Trauma Hospital?

My doctors have stressed that I need to reduce my stress levels while being treated long term with Methotrexate for the auto-immune disorder. I'm ok with walking away from the ER. I've made my peace with that. But, it's been the only nursing job I've had since I graduated. Never really looked at other fields during school since all I wanted was to work in a trauma hospital.

Home Health? Public Health? Case Management? Maybe going back to school? I have no idea how to go about researching some of these things and what kind of transitional training will be required.

Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[sarabasedis]

I had to leave the ER also due to stress related illness. I went into nursing home LTC nursing, however, most nursing homes are now cuting back on RNs since they can run efficiently with LPNs and 3-5 RNs for the whole building for all shifts. I suggest dialysis nursing or recovery room nursing. Quieter, but you can still use your ER skills in both areas.

Good luck

[mtsteelhorse]

I would bet PACU would be a nice fit for you. Best of luck in your search.

[Yosemite, RN, ASN, EMT-I]

ICU? One of the lower stress jobs I've had. Acute dialysis? Never did it, sounds plausible... likely one client at a time, but to my understandning, you've got to be "on call" and ready to travel. Case management? NO! One of THE most stressful jobs I've ever had! Salary, 12 hour days, some Saturdays desperately trying to keep up on CRAZY number of cases. Home health care? Could be. I'm trying to get back into that; my wife is doing it currently. Everybody is (or will be going to) pay per visit. You've GOT to know how well territories are laid out and scheduling is done... driving 30 minutes (or more!) between clients is NOT good as that's on YOUR dime. Have to make out your own 485 forms? Whoa! Time suck (and again, on your own dime). LOTS of paperwork, LOTS. Some agencies going to electronic forms... sounds good, but takes MUCH longer if its not the ideal software and you're provided with a lap top computer (rather than "smart phone"). It is not uncommon in some agencies to see 5 to 6 clients a day, come home from a 6 to 8 hour day and having driven over 100 miles only to have 4 hours of paperwork to do on your own dime. Private Duty nursing through an agency, now that I think of it, may be something to consider! One client, usually on a vent and G-tube. Just have to be able to work with the clients caregivers/parents who can be demanding and suspicious.

We all interpret what is "stress" differently. For me, low(er) stress would be one, two patient(s) at a time, hence ICU. I've NEVER found a nursing job that is "cush"/low stress and seriously doubt there is one out there! It will be interesting to see what others suggest!

Coming from ER background, I would expect that will help you in just about any nursing specialty in a time where SNF positions are requiring recent/current SNF experience and few/no one is willing to train even an experienced RN in a new specialty/area.

[caliotter3]

If you do extended care home health cases, you could get a case where you watch a baby sleep all night long on night shift. Can't get much less stress than that.

[mtsteelhorse]

Correctional nursing in a small facility...like county detention. It can be a VERY good fit!