Non-clinical nursing - What is out there?

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i was three years into nursing school when i knew that clinical nursing was not for me. now, i have been out of school a year and my only job has been at a holistic health clinic doing mostly medical assistant type work. i really enjoyed parts of it, mostly what they practiced, but the rest was just the typical stress and b.s. that comes with working other women and in a health care environment so i quit for my own sanity. now, i can't find any other work here doing holistic care and until i move to california next year i don't have many options. i refuse to do hospital nursing as it goes against my morals and i don't like the negative environment. so, my question is what types of non-clinical nursing jobs are out there that don't require much more college. i am already swimming in student loans and don't want to add much more to that. but i would really like to be able to use my degree and do something i love everyday. any advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

I understand where you are coming from. I have worked as a paramedic firefighter with an all male crew, and they respected and stood up for each other. I would trust these guys with my life. On the other hand, working with an all women crew is totally different. Gossip. backstabbing, not much respect for each other nor would they stand up for each other. Trust them with my life--I don't think so! Nurses eat their young too often....

I can understand about having a different philosophy in healthcare too. In the US, we treat insurance companies and $$$$, not patients. No insurance, no $$$$$ equals a much higher mortality rate. Not to mention that there are alternative tx used by some pts. that are laughed by the medical field at but are effective. And then there is the medical model of birth that treats it as a disease, rather than the natural process it is. In some hospitals, women are treated like cattle rather than birthing mothers.

So what do I do? I freelance in nursing. I am a newborn nanny/baby nurse, private duty peds and senior care, medical standby for special events and camp nursing.

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Although, I'm just a student, I would like to believe that you can find a rewarding career even though you don't adhere to the philosophy of Western medicine. Have you thought about research, community health, or working with an international organization?

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Thank you for being understanding of where I am coming from and not attacking me. I'm glad you were able to find something to use your skills. I hope I can do the same. I just need to keep researching. All of the non-judgemental advice I am getting is very useful.

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If you are against Western Medicine, what about Holistic medicine? Accupuncture? Natropathic Medicine? I realize those would require additional education--but nursing has given you a good start--and I too am not quite sure why you went to nursing school, seems like a long, hard road to take...but you did--and that's okay. It's a shame you couldn't get through a couple years in the hospital--you may have really liked home health =(

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There are many things out there that you can do with a nursing degree. These are a couple of things that I have done or my colleagues have done with a nursing degree.

Research

Adverse event reporting for a Pharmaceutical Company

Train nurses/pharmacists/physicians on new software in the hospital setting

These are just a couple of things that come to mind. Hope it helps and sparks some interest:)

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Good news is - you are being true to yourself:yeah:.

Other news may include areas such as Insurance review, Case Management, Discharge Planning, Medical Review, and/or continue on the holistic healing path. I became an Insurance Review nurse 1 year after my RN and I was quickly made employee of the month and received other awards.... don't let anybody tell you can't do something if you are willing to work hard for it. Many holistic health certificates are fairly cheap to get and it is fun to learn (stay away from the commercial fast-track schools). Best bet for certificates would be to contact a massage, reiki, other holistic center and inquire of how to go about receiving certification for employment- do your shopping.

DON'T DESPAIR - not everybody LOVES nursing --- and IT IS OKAY:).

I worked full time RN for around 10 years - left to do some volunteer nursing over seas - came home and started studying Constitutional Studies and got my Personal Trainers Certificate from NSCA...... debt-free. Life if full of fun stuff to learn and do!

Best of luck!! Follow your heart and move forward. Don't listen to ANY demeaning attitudes. Love your life - nursing or not!

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Specializes in med/surg- sub-acute, LTC,ICU,.

Ever thought about working in a spa? Maybe get certification for permanant make-up, electrolysis, cellulite treatment or something along those lines? The spa that I go to has an RN on staff for certain procedures of that nature.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).
That is typically what a dietitian does.

What about getting your Master's in Nursing Administration or something along that line?

Yes, I'm (the person that made the suggestion) aware of what a dietitian does. I'm talking about something totally unique. Lots of people on special diets are ill-equipped or unable to prepare their own meals at home. You don't see too many dietitians in the meal prep/delivery service (to homes).

OP wrote that she doesn't want to spend a lot of money on additional education (Master's degrees cost a lot, I can attest to that) ....and for someone not terribly fond of hospital nursing, a Master's of Nursing Administration would qualify (IMO) as crossing over to the "dark side".

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Yes, I'm (the person that made the suggestion) aware of what a dietitian does. I'm talking about something totally unique. Lots of people on special diets are ill-equipped or unable to prepare their own meals at home. You don't see too many dietitians in the meal prep/delivery service (to homes).

OP wrote that she doesn't want to spend a lot of money on additional education (Master's degrees cost a lot, I can attest to that) ....and for someone not terribly fond of hospital nursing, a Master's of Nursing Administration would qualify (IMO) as crossing over to the "dark side".

I personally don't see meal prep/cooking as nursing care (unless this was apart of home health care.) That's more in the culinary field.

If we are talking about people being unable to prep/cook because of physical limits, then that is a part of home health care (from what I understand.)

But if we are talking about prepping meals because the patient has a condition that requires a specific diet, then that is non-nursing (which sort of is what the OP wants), it is more culinary (dietitian) related.

Nurses are not really trained on how to prepare special diets for specific medical needs. Of course, one could be a nurse and become a registered dietitian, then they could do it all.

I'm aware that Master's cost a lot, I did not see where she said that, but I do now. But I do agree with the "dark side."

OP, I agree with the spa post. Maybe a dermatologist office also. You could do botox. Of course, you may still have to deal with a lot of women.

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Specializes in Long term care.

hum...now you got me thinking...meals for chronic disease patients.....interesting

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Holy judgemental thread! geez, lol

I don't work in a hospital. I would never, could never, I don't think. I had my children at home, because I feel that strongly about it being safer than submitting myself and my newborns to the medical system.

don't let anyone tell you that there are not jobs out there for you. I work in a clinic that is specifically for homeless people. We generally have 2 nurses and a nurse practitioner. We have a 3rd person that floats in a few days a week, and a doctor that is there a couple days a week to see the 'tough cases'. Sometimes we feed people, we stash extra shoes and clothes and personal hygeine things we bring from home for the patients. Its great, and the "female environment" is not as overwhelming as it is elsewhere. There are things I dislike about it, but it has never gone against my moral code (which is probably similar to yours in a lot of ways) and I spend most of my time finding services, donations, etc to take care of my patients, as well as sliding them an extra bandaid here and there, and helping them get care they would not be able to get anywhere else.

I have trouble with an office full of women, and with hospital work, but I've done just fine avoiding it so far. I also was just hired to do immunization clinics for a few months on the weekends, as well.

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To LucasRN - Yes, I have looked into doing the nurse aesthetician thing at a spa. It is interesting, but I don't know that I would be okay doing Botox and chemical peels, I'm trying to stay away from unnatural treatments. Thanks for the suggestion though. :)

To Fuzzleguz and Nurse1211 - Thanks for the advice! Definitely alot of areas to look into. I have looked into getting some holistic nursing certificates, but have had a hard time finding any that weren't the online ones, which I don't trust. I imagine once I get out to California that world will open up to me alot more. Personal training sounds interesting too! Thanks again for the replies! :)

To missjennmb - Haha, yeah, very judgemental to begin with! I don't think I should have to explain my whole life story or why I did or didn't do something and got to where I am now to ask for advice. So, thank you for being understanding. Anyhow, I think we definitely have similar views based on what you said. I'm definitely trying not to give up hope on this and even if I only find something I love part time at least all those years of hard work will come to use. :)

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