Maybe bedside nursing isn't for me

DutchRN09 · Sep 13, 2011

Cardiac rehab has codes every now and then, research might be good, we have oncology research and they have lots of onc nurses that are no longer on the floor. Still same pay though

erinberrin, CNA · Nov 23, 2011

OK, it's been 2.5 years since I got my ASN. I've tried Med Surg and CCU. I'm starting to think that bedside nursing just isn't my thing.
What other areas could I look into.

DEPRESSING..give geriatrics or something less draining a try..what about the baby floor...

I had a few experiences with terminal patience in homecare..og..its just ..tough..

XXWeaponX · Nov 23, 2011

DEPRESSING..give geriatrics or something less draining a try..what about the baby floor...
I had a few experiences with terminal patience in homecare..og..its just ..tough..

Geriatrics less draining? Personally, working SNF was the WORST experience of my life. I never felt so depressed. I was wrecked everyday at work. Knowing that we work our whole lives to end up in such a situation, for many people with out family or loved ones to even visit, for others, their conditions were such a burden they could not remain with family, it was brutal.

I became depressed working in that environment, and I had previously worked with triple diagnosis clients, HIV/CD/MH in a residential facility for years, where I never felt the same desolation, even though it was a challenging population.

I think the people that can work in geriatrics are very special people, and awesome for their abilities and talents and compassion, but by no means is SNF/geriatrics easy.

beckster_01, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2011

Anybody ever read these threads and think about how lucky we are that there are SO many options?? What other job can you get where you could have 4-5 "career" changes with the same degree?

On topic note, any job where you are working in a 24 hour facility with patients who have dementia or multiple co-morbidities is going to be difficult. I agree with those who suggest M-F office jobs. Any input on Same Day Surgery? I'd imagine that in that area you are primarily establishing IV's, doing pre-op checks, making sure consents are signed, etc. Routine, but less likely to be boring than working in a PCP office.

I also don't know what the requirements for this type of job would be, but if you are more of an intellectual type you could look into Nursing Research. There is an internship available at my hospital where you work in the research department and assist with whatever projects they are doing. It sounds challenging, but interesting and you might have more control over your schedule.

DreamyEyes · Nov 23, 2011

Not sure if any nursing jobs are "routine" except for doctor's offices/clinics, but even then it's not really routine.

Maybe the hospital environment isn't for you. Don't give up yet - definitely try different areas. I know for a fact I would be miserable in a hospital/acute care environment. However, I know the areas I DO enjoy are Geriatrics/LTC, psych, home health, and clinics. We all have different strengths and personalities, and I think most people can find their niche in nursing. There really are so many options.

Good luck to you!

erinberrin, CNA · Nov 23, 2011

I dont think any specialty or area is easier than they other. I think its personal prefrence..I am beginning to think with my little experience that it has its ups and down sides..all areas of nursing.

KateRN1 · Nov 23, 2011

Home Health/Visiting RN (?) (-an RN at my facility who is burnt out is going that route for stability, routine, low stress),

:rotfl:

ROTFL at the idea that home health is stable, routine, and low stress.

erinberrin, CNA · Nov 23, 2011

:rotfl:
ROTFL at the idea that home health is stable, routine, and low stress.

LOL..its a diff kind of stress..not that i know what hospital stress is like..

Kitty Hawk, ADN, RN · Nov 23, 2011

I didn't see it mentioned yet. I'm a clinical review RN. Basically I review pt's charts to make sure they are going to meet insurance guidelines based on what they're having done and what they did so far to warrant the scan. I really enjoy my job. I work for an imaging company, and a bonus I make more than the hospital.

I hear you on the unpredicable. I couldn't stand that chaos of middle of the night admits to an ortho floor that had zero to do with us, just bc we had empty beds. I love having a normal work week with no weekends. I love actually having time after work to still enjoy going out or relaxing at home. I was a zombie on 3 12's. I loved the work, not the conditions, so there's no way I'd go back.

I'd burn my license before going back to bedside, but that's just me!

XXWeaponX · Nov 23, 2011

I don't know what the requirements for this type of job would be, but if you are more of an intellectual type you could look into Nursing Research. There is an internship available at my hospital where you work in the research department and assist with whatever projects they are doing. It sounds challenging, but interesting and you might have more control over your schedule.

If you are interested I would very much recommend the research position. I switched into research one year ago, and it was the greatest move I have ever made. I work in research with the same populations that I worked with before: primarily undeserved chemically dependent persons with mental health dx as well. I work for a nation wide clinical trials network that is part of the NIH and NIDA. I LOVE it. I feel like this is my personal true calling in nursing. I see patients 8x a day, 3 x a week. The other 2 days I do a lot of writing, a lot of charting and reporting. I will be receiving my second publication credit, and first publication credit in a peer reviewed journal shortly, and will receive another publication credit at the end of this current study. Awesome for my resume. I decided to pursue my MPH & MHA, and start the MPH/MHA dual program at DMU in January. If pursuing a career in research, this is definitely the degree to add to your nursing degree. As a nurse in research you have options of proving patient (we call them participants in research) care or strictly working a desk job. There are many ways to make research work for you! Obviously, this is not the field for everyone, but for me, it's been a perfect fit, and I recommend it to everyone uninterested in pursuing a career in bedside nursing. One more thing, LVNs have just as much upward mobility, just as much respect and authority as RNs in research, at least in the research company I work for. There is no other (at least in CA, where LVNs are treated poorly). In fact the only problem I have had as an LVN in research is that because of the great treatment and the demanding nature of the job, its left me a bit unmotivated/unable to pursue completing my RN at this time. I decided instead to finish my MPH over the next 3 years (life of this study is also 3 years, so I figure I can complete this MS and go directly into a MSN program at the study's close.) Research rocks!

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2011

Anybody ever read these threads and think about how lucky we are that there are SO many options?? What other job can you get where you could have 4-5 "career" changes with the same degree?

YES!!! All the time! It is part of the beauty of nursing.

tcvnurse, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2011

I LOL'd pretty hard at the thought that home health is routine. Um, not so much.

I would think outpatient clinics or doctor offices maybe.

Have to say I find it interesting that you say you dont like going to work not knowing what to expect. You could say that about any profession, anywhere. I dont know what's going to happen 2 minutes from now. Still, the great thing about nursing is that if you don't like where you are there are plenty other places to go. Heck, if you hate working with people you can go into research or statistics or something.

Good luck finding something!