medsurg/tele to Methadone Clinic or Outpatient Dialylsis

[SpaceCows]

Hello all. I've been a med surg nurse for about 8 years now.  I used to get 6 patients normally, 8 when we're short. Now 8 is normal and up to 10-11 if we're short. I feel like it's too much now and am burning out.

I am considering switching to an outpatient setting, dialysis or methadone clinic. I realize that I will be taking a big pay cut but it may be worth it for my sanity. Any others made the switch and have any advice? Thank you.

[Davey Do]

20 hours ago, SpaceCows said:

I am considering switching to an outpatient setting, dialysis or methadone clinic.

Having supervised and worked in a methadone clinic, I can tell you SpaceCows, that it's a big departure from med surge.

The job is mainly dosing clients and reviewing clients with the MD, e.g. comorbidity situations. There's a lot of 1:1 interaction, rules and laws that must be followed, and of course documentation, but the stress level is much lower than med surge.

Usually in methadone clinics, LPNs do most of the work and an RN supervises. The methadone clinic where I worked was housed in a community mental health clinic and I also supervised medical services for the entire clinic.

That's a gist of the job. Feel free to enquire in more detail PRN.

One of the long time members here works in dialysis, but right now I can't remember who. You might try posting an enquiry in the Dialysis Nurses Forum.

Good luck, SpaceCows!

[SpaceCows]

Interesting, thank you

[SpaceCows]

I am interviewing with a methadone clinic tomorrow, am very interested to see how it goes.

[TAKOO01, BSN]

Why limit yourself to a outpatient or methadone clinic (unless those are just specific areas of interest you)? If you are worried about pay, there are a lot of other specialties out there that pay well. And right now there is a great market, so your negotiating skills need to be dusted off. Many people are going for work from home jobs, which leaves on site jobs in the lurch.

Covid has flipped the market and employers are telling you about salary and benefits before the first interview. Make them tell you up front what they are paying, and don't be afraid to leverage your med surg experience to ask for more. Use this opportunity to apply for whatever you're interested in and ask for whatever you think you are worth.