No longer want to be a floor nurse

[shlay51]

I worked for a year in LTC after I graduated then went into private duty/home health. I spent close to 4 years doing that. In August I graduated with my BSN and decided it was time for a change. I missed the social aspect of working with others and my last position I worked with some fairly incompetent case managers and an agency that really didn't care about a whole lot as long as you showed up and sent your paperwork in on time. (I was also sick of drive 30+ minutes to and from work, especially in the winter). So I applied to a couple positions, one being a part time med/surg position and a full time LTC position. I never heard back from the med/surg one and interviewed for the LTC position. I didn't get the position I interviewed for but was offered a MDS Coordinator/Floor nurse position at the LTC. I accepted it partly because I could walk to work, the pay was good, and I looked at the MDS aspect as a new adventure.

I enjoy the MDS aspect, but can't see doing this long term. What I don't like is being a floor nurse. I no longer get enjoyment out of it. The residents are great, well most of them, but I dread the two day that I work on the floor. I have a desire to do something else with my career beyond floor nursing, but I don't really know what other options are out there for me that doesn't involve floor nursing. Any suggestions? I've looked a bit at quality assurance nursing and it looks intriguing but I'm wondering what other options are out there for me. I love the idea of being able to implement change and improvements whether in technology or otherwise but I'm unsure of what type of nursing position would do something along those lines.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be great. Thanks in advance!

[Libby1987]

I like to see people in those policy making/enforcing roles come from floor/trench experience. For someone who hasn't worked successfully in those areas to to start monitoring and/or setting protocol for those that do just can't be as effective, nor seen as credible, IMO.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

"I don't really know what other options are out there for me that doesn't involve floor nursing."

A) let me google that for you.

B) let me research AN for you.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

If you want to enact changes in nursing at the technological level, perhaps you can break into the realm of nursing informatics. This will enable you to escape the bedside aspect that you no longer enjoy.

You can earn a 9 to 18 credit undergraduate certificate in nursing informatics, or you can pursue a MSN degree with a specialization in nursing informatics.

[NurseIndependa]

Nursing has a lot of options. Look into insurance companies, hospitals or other healthcare facilities for job openings. You could even go back to school and become a nurse practitioner, informaticist, educator or administrator.