My body cannot take bedside nursing anymore

Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!

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I have been a RN, ADN for 9 years. I did travel nursing for 6 years and now I am burnt out from bedside nursing. I worked night shift some but mainly day shift the past 5 years. My back cannot take the lifting and turning anymore, and my thyroid cannot take the stress levels and hours of fasting and dehydration. With all this said, I am looking for another avenue. My background is holistic health. I was an esthetician for 15 years, a message therapist and holistic health coach before I became a nurse.

I also have a passion for holistic health, self development and mental health and healing. I am not an entrepreneur but am motivated working with others. I have no idea which direction to go. I am struggling with this leap because being a bedside nurse feeds my soul through the nurturing nature, making connections with people, and being a light in that darkness. I have grown so much and gained a lot of confidence being a hospital nurse. And I feel let down because my body is saying no more but my heart is going to miss it. Sorry to ramble on. I feel totally lost! I have thought about getting a bridge to masters to transition into something. I even thought NP mental health but it is just hard to know what would fit. After travel nursing it seems any other option is lower pay and that is also a hang up for me. Two things I've thought about are: psychedelic assisted therapy nurse (would have to get BSN or higher). Could do outpatient surgery or hospice. Any advice? Thank you in advance!!

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6 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Earn your BSN—enroll now! If you don't, your opportunities will be limited, but if you do, the possibilities are endless. Make sure the school is accredited. While in school, you'll network with other professionals and explore various career paths through their ideas and experiences.

You will gain credibility and clarity.

I love how you said, "I am struggling with this leap because being a bedside nurse feeds my soul through the nurturing nature, making connections with people, and being a light in that darkness. I have grown so much and gained a lot of confidence being a hospital nurse. And I feel let down because my body is saying no more but my heart is going to miss it."

I'm not going to lie: Leaving the bedside is hard for many of us. I loved tucking a warm blanket around my patients or reassuring them before surgery. But bedside nursing is not sustainable in the long run, and now you are ready for the next step in your career.

No matter your path, you can still connect and nurture relationships, even if they look different from what you experienced in the past. Trust yourself and allow time to navigate your future path. Pay attention to the signs along the way, and remember that it's a journey—you're on the right track.

You may make less money in the short term but probably can't avoid that. Keep your eye on the long-term goal. Don't step over a dollar to pick up a dime, and always look at the entire compensation package, not just the hourly amount. You could even possibly find a job where they reimburse you to go to school.

Exploring New Avenues

Your background is rich and speaks to your core and passion. Given your holistic health background, you might consider roles that integrate your nursing skills with your love for mental health and healing:

  • Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (NP). While this requires additional education, becoming an NP in mental health allows you to provide holistic care and support for individuals facing mental health challenges. You could use your nursing foundation while emphasizing therapeutic approaches that resonate with your holistic beliefs.
  • Holistic health coaching. You mentioned you enjoy working with others and have a strong background in holistic health. You could leverage your nursing experience to offer coaching services integrating health education, lifestyle changes, and wellness strategies. This could be done independently or within a health organization.
  • Psychedelic-assisted therapy. As you mentioned, this field is emerging, and it combines both your interest in mental health and your nursing background. However, it may require additional certifications or training, and depending on your location, regulations can vary. It's truly a fascinating area that could align well with your holistic approach.
  • Outpatient surgery or hospice care may offer less physical strain than bedside nursing, allowing you to connect with patients and make a difference in their lives. They could also provide a more stable schedule and possibly less demanding hours than hospital nursing.
  • Health and wellness education. You could consider roles focusing on education and outreach, such as working for wellness programs or community health initiatives. Your skills could be beneficial in educating the public about holistic health practices.

I am excited for you and wish you the very best. 

Nurse Beth

Totally understand your struggles.  I left bedside nursing for a non clinical job during covid and have no desire to go back.  However if you still love it and think you'd miss it, you don't have to give it up altogether. Have you considered a non-hospital clinical job? Either a clinic setting or an outpatient surgery center?  (I worked preop in one once and was shocked how much less stressful it was than the hospital; but I enjoyed still using my IV skills).  If you truly love the direct care role, this may be a good "in between" that allows you to do it in a less stressful environment. You may find that you get to keep all the things you love about bedside nursing but lose all the ones you don't.  However, if you do decide to go the non clinical route, you may learn to love it as well.  I've found that it helps to make two lists - one of everything you love about nursing, and one about everything you hate (even small things like scrubs vs street clothes or regularly timed lunch breaks). After you do, wait a couple days and go back and read them.  See what kind of job each one sounds like.  And then as you look at jobs, compare them to your lists.  This will keep you from trying to rationalize things you don't love or talk yourself into a job that doesn't fit.  Good luck and hope you find something you love!  

I'm also an RN ADN.  I have primary progressive MS, and after 19 years +/- in bedside nursing, which I loved, I had to give it up a couple of years ago.  I can honestly say that not having my BSN didn't really hold me back.  I ended up in Community Health, working with developmentally disabled adults, and I've never felt more fulfilled.  I love that your heart is in the right place!  The opportunities for ADNs are still out there.   Best of luck to you! 

Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

Some really good suggestions have been offered.  One of my nursing school instructors was an RN that became a talk therapist.  Our mental health practice also has a talk therapist that was an RN.  This would allow you to continue to nurture patients, but would not require physical exertion.  In addition, there are many job opportunities now that are telehealth.  Talk therapy is provided by psychologists or licensed clinical social workers and a master's degree is required.  Talk therapists generally make less money that nurse practitioners if they are employees.  However, if they are able to build a decent private practice, they can make excellent money.

Good luck!

Specializes in Pediatrics and foot care.

Foot Care Nursing!  Check out the American Foot Care Nurses Association at www.afcna.org or the Facebook page.  I am in the process of preparing to take the national exam to obtain certification Certified Foot Care Specialist or CFCS.

I love mental health. Perhaps you could look into that route. Mental health hospitals typically employ mental health techs which helps a lot. Patients are stable, typically, and the work itself is very different than general acute care.

Just something to consider. 

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