Maybe bedside nursing isn't for me

[stewiegriffin]

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.

[gibbygator]

I, too, am disappointed in my bedside nursing career thus far. I LOVE the biology and science behind nursing (graduated 2nd in my BSN program, have a previous BS in Biology and minor in Health Science), I love my patients and their families. I HATE the working conditions, the demands and unrealistic expectations, lack of leadership and advocacy, not to mention the drama and politics of a group of women working together in a stressful environment (WHY can't women get along?!? LOL). I'm expected to create "those special, exceptional care experiences" for 5 pts a shift while still managing "timely" charting and catching all the mistakes the new crop of residents are making, holding their hand through CPOE (I could go on a while here). Research sounds like it would be right up my alley. Any advice on how to break into this area of nursing?? I have just 6 months bedside nursing experience under my belt and am already dying to get out.

I'd also be interested in clinical review or case management if anyone can advise on how to break into these areas. With such little professional experience so far, are these unrealistic for me? I have previous work experience in R&D for food technology.

[XXWeaponX]

I, too, am disappointed in my bedside nursing career thus far. I LOVE the biology and science behind nursing (graduated 2nd in my BSN program, have a previous BS in Biology and minor in Health Science), I love my patients and their families. I HATE the working conditions, the demands and unrealistic expectations, lack of leadership and advocacy, not to mention the drama and politics of a group of women working together in a stressful environment (WHY can't women get along?!? LOL). I'm expected to create "those special, exceptional care experiences" for 5 pts a shift while still managing "timely" charting and catching all the mistakes the new crop of residents are making, holding their hand through CPOE (I could go on a while here). Research sounds like it would be right up my alley. Any advice on how to break into this area of nursing?? I have just 6 months bedside nursing experience under my belt and am already dying to get out.

I'd also be interested in clinical review or case management if anyone can advise on how to break into these areas. With such little professional experience so far, are these unrealistic for me? I have previous work experience in R&D for food technology.

I came to nursing from as social work back ground in case management. I decided to do my LVN "just to get my feet wet, as I waited to get into any of the few, highly impacted RN programs in my area, and ended up where I am today. Things that helped me were the many connections I had made through social services and my local public health department in my previous career. There are Case Management MSN programs you can do, or case management CE programs (I don't know how well they work or how much you learn that translates well to the field). I got my ASHS, and BSHS in Health Education and have a CATC. I started working as a peer counselor, then health educator, then counselor, and then case manager. There are probably simpler, less time intensive ways to do this. It was from these connections and references that I was recommended for this nursing position with the research company. As with anything, connections do more than anything else to advance your station. In absence of them, I would probably start cold calling research companies in your area. Look at Clinicaltrials.gov and see what is going on near you. See what Pharm companies are in your area, what universities doing research, etc. And then figure out how to get involved from there. The position that you would want to start with is called "MP"/Medical Personel, which is the designation for RNs/LVNs. You don't want to deal with RA or RC positions b/c the money is significantly less. All of those are the entry level clinical trials positions, for the most part.

[choksantos, BSN, RN]

There is no such thing as stable routine in bedside nursing. Things change all the time. Find an office job/clinic. Pays less but thats stable.