Maybe bedside nursing isn't for me

What's the problem that leads you to think bedside nursing isn't for you?

I just don't enjoy it like I thought I would. I need a stable routine. I don't like not knowing what kind of shape my floor will be in each night as I head to work. I was happy at my registration & billing jobs but had to go back to school for a job that would pay the bills.

I'm not sure there is a "stable routine" in traditional nursing. Maybe you should look for some non-traditional nursing areas. I can't think of any off the top of my head. Maybe others can chime in.

There are plenty of predictable nursing jobs, you just have to dig. My first thoughts go to positions like Clinical Nurse Coordinator, Research Nurse, PACU (fairly straight forward), Home Health/Visiting RN (?) (-an RN at my facility who is burnt out is going that route for stability, routine, low stress), annndddd.... rarely School Nurse (those are tough to come by but awesome-some places affiliated w hospitals that pay parallel to bedside).

If you cannot afford to go back to school as a means of getting out of bedside nursing, maybe try GI lab. Or outpatient surgery. When I have been "pulled" to the GI lab, it always seemed so easy compared to what I was used to in other areas. Or as someone else suggested, PACU. If you have only worked in med-surg and CCU, no wonder you are already tired of it! Those are not "predictable" areas! That is why I personally do not like the ER.

Perhaps you should try LTC nursing, although it presents its own stresses like any other specialty, the work tend to be routine for the most part, unless you work on a skilled floor. Check it out. Also, with your critical care and med/surg experience, im sure you will fare well in home health. wishing you the best.

Perhaps you should try LTC nursing, although it presents its own stresses like any other specialty, the work tend to be routine for the most part, unless you work on a skilled floor. Check it out. Also, with your critical care and med/surg experience, im sure you will fare well in home health. wishing you the best.

LTC is NOT... routine. We get daily admissions, discharges, issues with everything under the sun, MD visits, (and they leave presents(orders) to be picked up.), falls, incidents, patients who need to be sent to the hospital, patients dying, family members up your rear end, and don't forget the 8 hour med pass.

I don't meant to blast you here but based on your previous posts.. you aren't even a nurse yet. Don't judge until you've walked in our shoes.

Have you considered aesthetics? Laser treatments and Botox injections require an RN, at least here in CA. I've heard it can be a lucrative field with a fairly low-stress, predictable routine and excellent office hours (M-F, no nights, weekends or holidays). This is the field I'm strongly considering because geographically, we have more cosmetic surgeons than the south has churches and the women here would rather give up their Starbucks than their Botox (JOB SECURITY)

You can do things such as an infusion clinic or home health. You can also try psych nursing and work in a prison or jail. I have done all of the things I mentioned. I currently work in a prison. I would like to get out of prison but don't think I will go back to the bedside :) Good luck!

LTC is NOT... routine. We get daily admissions, discharges, issues with everything under the sun, MD visits, (and they leave presents(orders) to be picked up.), falls, incidents, patients who need to be sent to the hospital, patients dying, family members up your rear end, and don't forget the 8 hour med pass.

I don't meant to blast you here but based on your previous posts.. you aren't even a nurse yet. Don't judge until you've walked in our shoes.

Yes, yes, yes! Thank you. I was reading through this and just going to let the original post slide and roll my eyes but it's important not to give people misdirection. I can't tell you how many random 3-6am admissions to ER from LTC come in on a nightly basis. If it's half the headache for us as it is for them it's a horrible idea. (I'm not trying to be nasty, but think you should have experience in areas that are 24 hr operation before suggesting).

Here's how I'll emphasize the other areas... PACU-I was a patient just a couple weeks ago and my nurse was complaining about how long it'd been since her "breakfast" break and that it was well past due for her "lunch" break. Um, lucky her. Then I shadowed in the GI lab once and the RN I spoke to who was assisting with a colonoscopy said she switched to that position for routine when she became a mamma.