I am in my mid-40's and have 6 years of nursing experience which is mostly in acute care. I am thinking about my future a lot, especially my old-age, but would like to go into a specialty which I could grow old in. Knowing that I am not getting younger, and is fairly new to the field, I would like to make sure that the area I would be choosing is a best fit for me. Which area do you think is advisable for me to go into considering my age and the background I have? I am thinking of signing up for a continuing education opportunity either in ICU, Nephrology or High Acuity Nursing. What other factors do you think I should consider in choosing right? Thanks very much!
Dear Thinking About your Future,
It's wise to think ahead so it doesn't take you by surprise someday when you realize you want/need to do something other than bedside nursing. And at your young age, you have plenty of time to prepare :). You are well positioned, as your acute care background will make you eligible for many different roles that can take you into the later years of your career.
For now, pick the clinical specialty that appeals to you to work in, and pursue continuing education. You will gain valuable experience in any of the areas you mentioned. Then, start to envision where you see yourself down the road to establish your long-term goal. Leadership? Do you see yourself in more of an office setting? Working with patients? Orienting new nurses? Then look into the requirements for the job you want, and start to meet them. Network and find a mentor to guide you.
Here are just a few opportunities that can be great for nurses transitioning away from the bedside. Many provide Monday-Friday work hours:
Case Management
Nursing Leadership- influence nursing practice
Pre Admit Screening- meet with patients before surgery, patient education
Quality- meeting core measures
Regulatory- meeting regulatory requirements, helping with surveys
Staff Development- great if you enjoy teaching other nurses and nursing staff
Infection Prevention
Sales- work with a medical equipment vendor, travel, inservice clients
Informatics-where nursing practice meets computerized order entry
Coding- a friend of mine does this from a remote location- her home! It was a wonderful opportunity for her. She lives in a family-friendly town in Montana, with goats and chickens for the kids, and works for a hospital in California remotely! Just had to share that story.
There are so many opportunities for nurses, and new roles are being created all the time, such as Telephonic Nursing. I think most people have NO IDEA all of the different career paths that exist for nurses.
this explains a lot. The hospital system our doctors are associated with are still using Meditech. Us on the outpatient side switched to EPIC from Nextgen a year and a half ago. Boy to say its been a learning curve would be an understatement! When we were getting our EPIC training there were a lot of unanswered questions from the EPIC support specialists flown in and a lot of "you'll figure it out, and when you learn a tip share with your colleagues.
As an Informaticist I was always amazed that nursing documentaion was so variable when caring for the patient should be the focus. Some folks don't get the concept of process--what are you trying to accomplish and why? Instead they worry about first doing this, then doing that--little tasks and not the big picture. It seems that Epic is trying to address the needs of most healthcare providers, but it requires folks to do things in a fairly standardized way. Some folks are very accustomed to having the IT department "change" things to suit their particular purpose. When you have to think in larger terms, they often aren't happy.
Nurse Beth, we have run away with your question. Sorry. When I was forty I was a new nurse--came to it late. You are lucky to have enough experience at this stage of your career that you can plan for what might make you happy in the long run. Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists are also interesting--getting docs to document correctly so that patient care can be supported and reimbursed. However with all the changes that are occurring in healthcare, it is hard to know where nursing will be in 5 or 10 years. Good luck!
To go back to the topic. If you can't find office type/paper work nurse jobs in hospitals, Long Term is also something To consider. I don't know if you've heard of MDS Coordinators but they are always in need in Skilled Nursing Facilities, and they require RNs. I've worked as one for 13 years, worked 9-5 Monday to Friday, never have to work on holidays, no On-call responsibility, can leave whenever I want. I am now 45 years old and just landed a Regional Consulting position due to my experience. Yes, there are several options out there. Good luck.
Nurse Beth (or anyone), how about someone in LVN school who will just pass her 59th birthday at graduation? I have been/am certified in several fields, and also have a BS and some grad school. Any ideas, especially for a large metro area like Houston? Thanks!
Nurse Beth (or anyone), how about someone in LVN school who will just pass her 59th birthday at graduation? I have been/am certified in several fields, and also have a BS and some grad school. Any ideas, especially for a large metro area like Houston? Thanks!
Congratulations and an early Happy Birthday! As Jalanajay,RN said, MDS is always in demand, but I'm not sure if they require an RN. I have been seeing job ads for nurse coders that specifically say LVN. You would need to first get some clinical experience and some additional training, but it could be a great niche for you. Best wishes.
Almost anywhere that provides healthcare services and bills, both inpatient and outpatient. IT firms who develop software and products for healthcare organizations. Insurance companies, clinics, hospitals, doctor's offices. Closely related is Clinical Documentation Specialist, a nurse who understands coding (ICD-10) and does prospective auditing of patient charts to correct documentation in real time.
Just out of curiosity, what is 'coding' as it relates to nursing?
For example, (just an example, I'm no expert), if ICD 10 requires laterality in coding for reimbursement, then the the nurse or doctor must document whether the IV was inserted on the right or the left arm, or subclavian, or whatever. So in order to capture maximal reimbursement, the nurse coder would be reviewing the chart (and quite possibly from her living room :) ) and then quickly call the nurse or doctor to amend their charting.
Thanks Beth! OK, now I'm wondering...when I get my LVN and hit the big city of Houston, I would probably need to train in medical coding esp the new ICD 10? My current school offers that also.
Thanks Beth! OK, now I'm wondering...when I get my LVN and hit the big city of Houston, I would probably need to train in medical coding esp the new ICD 10? My current school offers that also.
I would first get a clinical job because it will help your resume and credibility. Let's say you land a job in a Rehab facility. Once you're there, and working as an LVN, look to see what coding or documentation related jobs exist in that facility. For example, MDS Coordinator.
Start talking to nurses in that role. Ask how they got started, and how they were trained. Now you are learning and networking. Networking is the best way to land a job. If you are able, find a mentor who will guide you.
NurseMikki
50 Posts
this explains a lot. The hospital system our doctors are associated with are still using Meditech. Us on the outpatient side switched to EPIC from Nextgen a year and a half ago. Boy to say its been a learning curve would be an understatement! When we were getting our EPIC training there were a lot of unanswered questions from the EPIC support specialists flown in and a lot of "you'll figure it out, and when you learn a tip share with your colleagues.