I'm just wondering for those of you that have moved out of the bedside hospital site nursing, did you have trouble at first making the decision to do so? I'm sure we've all seen the discussions about people feeling that nurses who do other work are not really nurses.
It seems like it just becomes so pushed on you during nursing school, and beyond that hospital nursing is the way to go. So when thinking about moving past that, it can be a difficult choice to make. I've been working ICU for 8 months, after 5 years of M/S type floors. I'm not really loving it. I've always planned on going to ER, but now question if I really want to, if I would be happy. I have otherfields of interest I am debating on pursuing. But I just feel like it's this "fear" or some feeling I can't explain when I think about actually leaving the medical acute care setting.
Remember, lots of unemployed people out there. Convenience is not always available. Burnout is common, went thru it myself. Took some years off, worked in a different field. Got driven back into nursing due to the economy, the stock market, the real estate market collapse; everything I invested in took a dive. There is a place for you out there. Just keep looking for something less hectic and shorter hours.
Yeah, I really feel like I'd be a much improved nurse if I were not on nights. I am not one of those people who can work nights and look happy at the same time. I sleep better at night, plain and simple. Its cooler out at night, I sleep well when its cool out and I don't sleep well when the sun is bright in the sky and I am sweating. lol
I'm at a cross roads in my career too. Been doing this hosp thing for 18 yrs now. and its back to horrible again.
i've decided to go back to school advance my degree and figure it out there. maybe I could teach/ maybe I could do NP-but deep down not sure If I want the stress of that. but maybe its less stress than I got right now. I'm giving myself a long term goal of 5 yrs and then they can kiss my....
Thats part of the reason I am leaving nursing as soon as it is convenient for me. I've never been the type to win the popularity contest at work. Maybe I don't smile often enough, don't have enough common interests to get involved in the "chat" that impresses management, w/e it is, I've always been considered not much more than a warm body. Now, when work needs done........its a different story. When that difficult patient no one wants is on the unit, I'm everyone's best buddy, but only while that pt is there. I've learned to not be so free with my criticizms of management but that hasn't helped much.
I totally agree with you. I am popular at work not just to win people to like me. My work ethics speak for it self. I am in the resource pool at work. I float to different units. I am able to handle and fit in. Now, I do ask questions if I have problems. I love to smile but I very honest what comes out of my mouth. I would say they respect because I am honest. I dont kiss any behinds because that is not me. I earned my position. I have voiced my opinion several of times and let it be known because when I come to work, I work.
Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Neurology, Rehab.
I just left bedside nursing in the hospitals to go work for an insurance company as a case management RN. I had plenty of good reasons to make this choice. I start Tuesday, so I can't tell you yet how it will go...but I can already tell you, it will be A LOT less stressful. With the economy, the hospitals have become freaking battle grounds for nurses. I am happy to be out and try something new.
May I ask did you go back to school for case management? Or they training you? I want to get a certificate in CM but just don't know which school to go to. I live in Northern California. Thanks for your reply.
Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
I think about leaving nursing on a daily basis. And I get the same "gut feeling" you speak of when I do.
That gut feeling is your rational (vs. your emotional) side telling you its not time to leave a job that is giving you a steady paycheck. Thats what my head tells me anyway. I've looked into various possibilities for something different to do, and none of them really are that appealing when you take job opportunities into account. I've resigned myself to the fact that I must squat down and take whatever is thrown at me for now. Then, when the time is right, my nursing career will be a thing of the past.
I envy your situation though. You were at least able to get out of the M/S setting. I have not been able to. I interviewed for a CCU and ICU position at my current hospital but was not brought on because I was a little too honest about also wanting to get away from working nights at some point. The night shift on my M/S unit is, on most nights, 9 levels of hell. But, I continue to handle it and I have a very happy home life. Just would like to get to a career that doesn't cause me to go into a mini depression when I have to go in that night.
I really got lucky with the job I got. We were moving to a new state at the time, and I basically applied to every ER and ICU position I could find. I got hired at the one I'm in, and also had a call for an interview for another hospital. But I had already hired on. I even managed to get a day shift, which is almost unheard of!
Just wait a while, and apply again. Maybe you'll get lucky. Good luck!
Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
Evaluate what it is specifically about the ICU you do not like. If it is something universal to bedside nursing, it may be time to step away from the bedside. If it is something related to the ICU specifically, then check into psych or ED (personally, I would go with ED; your ICU experience will serve you well and you will get enough psych patients to determine if psych may be your thing).
I've always had an interest in psych, with the plan to go into it eventually. Thats what I'm trying to figure out, is if it's just the ICU I don't like. Which my ICU is barely an ICU, we are such a low acuity most the time. Or if it's just a general sick of it feeling that I'm having. I'm really not sure. I just know I don't enjoy my job right now, I get aggravated dealing with the family members all the time. I think I'm also frusturated with dealing with all the expectations that are placed on nurses anymore. I could go on, but then I'd just be venting.
I think maybe loosing my skills is what my biggest fear is, if I were to make the switch. But then I wonder, if I found an area I love, would I even care?
Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
I'm at a cross roads in my career too. Been doing this hosp thing for 18 yrs now. and its back to horrible again.
i've decided to go back to school advance my degree and figure it out there. maybe I could teach/ maybe I could do NP-but deep down not sure If I want the stress of that. but maybe its less stress than I got right now. I'm giving myself a long term goal of 5 yrs and then they can kiss my....
Good luck. It's hard to decide what to be when we grow up, huh:) Long term, I think I want to get my Masters in Counseling. Which pushes me towards psych now. But at the same time, I'm afraid to not do ER, and regret it later. Ugh, decisions decisions.
I did not go back to school, they hired me with the experience I have clinically and are training me. At some point I might get my CM cert. if I feel it is the right fit for me. Just look up insurance companies in your area, they may have job postings for RNs. Sorry it took so long to get back to you
Are you able to try the ER in a PRN capacity? You already have experience as a nurse and critical care experience...
I changed from the PCU/ICU setting to the ER and I like it. Perhaps you can try that, see if you like it before jumping into another area you don't like.
I left the hospital for a community health position....i miss the hospital or maybe its just that i miss the field of patients i was working with (laboring women) there is still stress and pointless charting/paperwork out of the hosptial. still stupid rules that managers keep making. still managers who forgot what its like to be in the trenches. still crazy patients who say and do nutty things and are unreasonable and demanding.
not trying to discourage anyone, but you have to know that all of your problems at work are not solved by moving to an out of hospital. it is not a magic mecca of fabulousness that every over stressed nurse in a hospital should aspire to.
made a lot more money at the hospital
benefits to having a m-f job. no weekends, no holidays, dont always feel like a nurse at all, etc.
benefits of the hospital-availability of overtime, patient contact, laboring women, more days off, more money, making an immediate impact
make your decision carefully :) good luck-its very hard. i stressed over my decision for months.
@Inme, "recent bedside experience" is the lamest excuse I have ever heard. Where do they get these interviewers? Standards of care and scope of practice are available online. Technology changes, paper work changes, but the human body has remained the same for at least 200 yrs. Yes, there are new drugs every year but that is an ongoing process. I was turned down for a job because I had been out of the field for a few years. Sorry, but that is so much hockey. I could challenge that DON in any aspect of this specialty.
Yes I know it seems a bit lame. However, even one year out of acute nursing is a problem where I work in Australia.
I think the real reason is the pace and the increased multi-tasking in acute care ...nothing to do with how good a nurse one is, or how much education one has..... UNFORTUNATELY
or maybe its just that i miss the field of patients i was working with (laboring women) there is still stress and pointless charting/paperwork out of the hosptial. still stupid rules that managers keep making. still managers who forgot what its like to be in the trenches. still crazy patients who say and do nutty things and are unreasonable and demanding. 
eriksoln, BSN, RN
2,636 Posts
Yeah, I really feel like I'd be a much improved nurse if I were not on nights. I am not one of those people who can work nights and look happy at the same time. I sleep better at night, plain and simple. Its cooler out at night, I sleep well when its cool out and I don't sleep well when the sun is bright in the sky and I am sweating. lol