lvn not sure she wants to be an Rn

[nurseredcalifornia]

Hi all,

I just got my license and a job at a weight loss clinic and Im also working every other weekend doing Ped's Home Health. I've always known that I need to go back to school but Im not sure that I want to be an Rn. Im not that excited about doing bedside nursing. Im really good with people and talking, before nursing school I was an Internet Sales Mgr for a dealership. I love helping people and giving information. I just don't want to do cath's and administer med's and all the things that bedside nursing entails. What should I do. I was thinking about getting by BS in Healthcare Mgmt. But are there really jobs out there for someone who has that. I don't know what to do please help me with this confliction about the Career? All replies would be helpful, Thanks.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

hi all,

i just got my license and a job at a weight loss clinic and im also working every other weekend doing ped's home health. i've always known that i need to go back to school but im not sure that i want to be an rn. im not that excited about doing bedside nursing. im really good with people and talking, before nursing school i was an internet sales mgr for a dealership. i love helping people and giving information. i just don't want to do cath's and administer med's and all the things that bedside nursing entails. what should i do. i was thinking about getting by bs in healthcare mgmt. but are there really jobs out there for someone who has that. i don't know what to do please help me with this confliction about the career? all replies would be helpful, thanks.

i would consider visiting colleges and seeing what programs they have in other areas of allied health. if you just received your license, it may be all new to you (i understand, because i just received my license in june of this year, and started orientation two weeks ago). i went into the practical nursing program knowing that i really have no intention of becoming an rn, because i don't want the responsibility. i did and am happy to be a nurse, because i do like to educate people on how to improve the quality of life, advise on health care issues and i do enjoy the medical environment. but, i was thinking the other day that for me living here in new york, there are plenty of things that i can do for variety as a practical nurse. i will be orienting in med-surg for six weeks, and from there, i will be working back in the clinic i worked at as a patient care associate, but as an lpn. i'll be doing patient teaching, giving immunizations and going to health fairs to educate people and such, which from what i see, i like better than bedside nursing, myself.

there is physical therapy, occupational therapy, health care management (as you already mentioned), respiratory therapy, or technician, and i know a few people that became asthma educators, nutritionists and such. visiting colleges in your area may be a consideration because there are counselors there that can understand your dilemma and hopefully they can guide you into a different career.

like you, bedside nursing is not my cup of tea, either. i want to learn bedside nursing to work extra hours from an agency (and most of them want med-surg experience) to make extra money, catch up on bills, but to me, the wards are very chaotic and i don't see me being there on a daily basis; i'd rather show up there because i want to every now and then, but not routinely. the creator knew what was best when i was placed back where i started!

i think that you will find out what direction to go in the crossroads; you may just need guidance. best of luck!