My temporary Admission/discharge position is ending

[returningnurse2006]

Haven't posted in awhile. I am currently working at Kaiser in a temporary position doing admission discharge and transfers in the med surg dept. The position was to be reevaluated every 90 days. Well unfortunately it is approaching the 90 day mark next month. I was told last week that my position was ending. I am able to bid on open jobs within the Kaiser system. I am really not sure if I want to go back to bedside nursing, as my experience returning to nursing after an 18 year break was kind of brutal. Although I have developed very good people skills, Great at doing admissions and patient teaching. Great computer skills. I feel my weakness is time management in regards to patient care. I had a conversation with someone who happened to be in Case Management, discharge planner and told me I should consider trying Case Management. I am very teachable but kind of worried by lack of recent experience. I have been back in the hospital for 1yr 8 months. The last 9 months I have been doing the Admissions and discharges. I do have IV skills, which are improving the more I start IV's. I really just want to be successful in the next position I choose and I don't want to jump into a position that might overwhelm me. I would appreciate any suggestions. Sorry for such a long post.

Thank you.

[Ahhphoey]

Good luck to you. I can understand not wanting to do bedside nursing after a 9 month break. Bedside nursing can be very stressful. In fact, I am looking for a part-time job now away from the bedside to break up the monotony of bedside nursing. I still love working in ICU, but I feel like I'm starting to get a little burned out, so I'm trying to find a solution before things worsen. Are you definitely trying to stay at the same hospital? I ask because many insurance companies and medical supply companies hire nurses. Also, one job that I am applying for is a bedflow coordinator, It is similar to a nursing supervisor, but does not have to deal with patient complaints or staffing issues. Case management sounds very good too; just apply for it anyway. If they are in desparate need, they will be willing got teach you.

[caliotter3]

I would suggest that you try home health. Even though not recent, your experience level is most likely up to par for many of the stable, routine cases. You should find that the Director of Clinical Services will be more amenable to working with you because you are a returning RN. You could do visits or shift work. Shift work is more stable. You can work on the same case for several shifts per week or work on 2 or 3 cases each week. The big advantage is that you can look at the plan of care and speak to the supervisors beforehand to make sure you try a case that will not be overwhelming. And for the overwhelming part, you need to insist on a good orientation. As long as you get a good orientation to the case(s), you can handle anything that comes your way. Try it. Home health is a welcome respite from hospital or LTC nursing; particularly if you do shift work. The complaints about paperwork only really apply to certain positions. If you stick to patient care, you won't have the paperwork problem. Good luck.