Need Advice re: non-bedside nursing positions

[animegirl, ASN, BSN]

Hello, I'm an RN-BSN I received my nursing license in July 2021. I started my first hospital job in August 2021 on a med-surg unit with a ratio of 6:1. I was overwhelmed and it caused me to be anxious so I quit after 3 months. The second hospital I worked at was just like the first. The ratio was 6:1, we were told we had to learn to do PD, the unit was always short-staffed many times the nurses had to do their own vitals and other CNA work. I worked there for 7 months and I quit. Currently, I'm working at my third hospital med surg position. I will say that things are a little better at this hospital ratio-wise. The ratio on my unit is 4-5:1. This hospital uses Cerner and they require a lot more charting also they require constant education classes. The common theme in all these situations is that bedside nursing causes me anxiety, I don't like dealing with family members, unit politics, etc. I realize bedside nursing is not for me. I've currently been at the third hospital for 4 months. I plan to complete 1 year of bedside and then never work bedside again. I also plan to get my MSN I like nursing informatics so I plan to do more research on that degree. Can any RNs who permanently left the bedside give me ideas about what lucrative nursing jobs I can do that don't require you to work at the bedside? 

[Jaylah1213]

Oh dear. The common song being sung by many. Please do not beat up on yourself. Believe me...MANY nurses are experiencing what you're going through. Don't allow anyone to make you feel bad. Only those who experience it will actually get it.

My advice:

1. Pray about the move before doing anything.😊

2. Since you're interested in Informatics, look at the requirements and then START applying. No better time than now. Save as much as you can and just work towards this. (You can do it!)

3. Before moving to a completely different hospital, muster up the courage to apply to a different unit within that same hospital. Endoscopy maybe? Are informal interviews allowed in your hospital? Research the units/specialties and then request an informal interview, so that you can have a basic overview of ratios, and what a typical day is like.

4. Explore the reasons why you're feeling anxious. Literally write them down. All of them. Then look at  how you can address those individually.

5. Apply for non-bedside roles like Telehealth...Coding...Billing...something. Just apply. You'll never know unless you try.

6. Get advice from a Career Counselor to help you navigate your career.

All the best. ☺️ 

[emtpbill, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

  This is a suggestion based on my own experience.  Now my background sounds far different from you, but please give a quick read and consider:

 

   I was a medic for 24 years before I graduated nursing school through a Medic to RN bridge.  I went to work in a few ER's and found out I hated it. The confinement inside for 12-13 hours per day were literally driving me bonkers. I live and have a Pennsylvania nursing license. There are certain drugs/therapies that exceed the scope of practice for a paramedic. This is where I come in.  Pennsylvania has a level in EMS called a Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse.  Basically anything the patient is on that a medic cannot transport goes to me. I, along with a medic and EMT driver (usually) are responsible for the patient.  Mostly I'm doing hospital to hospital upgrade in care.  Like a community hospital who may not have trauma or Cardiac surgical services I go and take them in the ambulance.   I am happy to say that my salary is now over 100K (I'm not gonna say precisely as I don't think thats anyones business) but in the case of someone who has anxiety when faced with taking care of numerous patients at the same time it may be an option.  I never have more than one patient that I am responsible at any one time. I also get to keep my skills sharp as dealing with patients on ventilators, balloon pumps, Arterial lines and so on.  I absolutely love it.  Also because I am a licensed provider my scope of practice expanded greatly.

 

    Just throwing it out there if it's something you may consider trying.   If I can be of more assistance in going over what I do in a more in-depth conversation , then by all means please reach out.

 

Bill