Non-clinical nursing - What is out there?

[Sarah27]

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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. :)

[HealerWoman]

I used to be a workers' compensation time loss claims manager, and we had in-house RN's who were the Nurse Case Managers for our injured workers' treatment. So if I had a particularly involved case that had lots going on (i.e. there were factors that hindered the worker getting back to work after their injury), we could ask the NCM to review the medical record and give their recommendations. Basically they reviewed charts, and wrote up reports. Sometimes they'd meet w/me and others people from the employer's company. No patient contact, worked 9-5 M-F in an office, and got to see some interesting cases. No interacting w/the public, either, really.

Also, we used to hire third-party NCMs who would do very similar work, but they would meet with the injured workers at their Dr appt's or therapy, or whatever. They would coordinate care between multiple parties (even with vocational counselors). So they set their own schedule, worked out of their own home office or whatever.

No hospital work whatsoever, no working with the public, and no using clinical skills. Mainly coordination of care and communication.

[Sarah27]

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! It seems that I hit a nerve with some people on here. 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. :)

[Sarah27]

HealerWoman - That sounds interesting. I will look into Case Management more too. I had looked into some, but noticed they wanted someone with more clinical experience than me and there is certification required. I don't mind more education, it never hurts, but I do need to do some serious research. Thanks! :)

[StayAtHomeNurseMom]

Not all nurses love patient care, and frankly because they don't love it, they suck at it.

It's GREAT that you recognize it is not for you, but value your education and want to use in a way that both you enjoy and are good at.

Non clinical jobs could include nurse consultant for nursing homes, pharmacies and hospitals.

And since you do not prescribe to the ideas of western medicine, there are plenty of eastern medical clinics that you can work in, you just have to find them.

Research your area and see if there are any practicing eastern docs in your area, apply to work with them.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

whatever your reason for trying to get away from clinical nursing...im with ya....i have worked for many years at the bedside and i am just tired of all the family nit picking drama...i am going to work on my masters in something so i can advance and get off the floor...it wont be soon enough...what about nurse informatics , admin nursing, working for a insurance company....all good options

[Copper4]

I really do not think case management is the place for you, at least not in a hospital or insurance environment-- case managers are totally involved with the health care industry/business, and have to be very aware of what is going on and how to adhere to these guidelines and limitations while still advocating if possible for their clients. Maybe a clinic, or community based case management position, but I would advise you to steer away from the others. Just my two cents... but there are other options out there, good luck!

[caliotter3]

If you like working with children, you could use your nursing license to help you get high end nanny positions. I have talked to more than one well to do family that stated they prefer to hire sitters/nannies/caregivers who possess an RN license. You would be able to justify a higher pay rate. Not to be sneezed at, I saw an ad for a nanny in the San Francisco area about 20 years ago that paid more than most nursing jobs in the area. You could do worse in my opinion.

[angel337, MSN, RN]

maybe you should do something entirely different.

[annacnatorn]

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.

Yep, I agree, I've seen you in action awsmfun...... you are a riot! Excellent Nurse at all you do! :yeah:

If I could give you 100 :up::up::up::up::up:qudos..I would!

love ya..:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe.the other wife!:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe

where is the dancing baby when I need it!

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

Good luck.

here are a couple ideas. A sick care for children when they have a fever but can't go to school but there parents can't take off from work. I think they charge quite a bit in our town for that and it is owned by two rns.

another idea would be consulting/life coaching. maybe if someone is trying to make life style changes you could help them in that role.

good luck

[nyteshade, BSN]

Well I hope you have a job lined up before you move, because your financial situation may turn critical. I don't see very many options.

[FLTRN70]

Has anyone suggested clinical research associate? I used to do that when I got bored of bedside nursing.. You would deal with research studies and coordinating the specifics of the studies. Kind of a liaison between the pharmaceutical companies and the clinical testing sites. They do like to see some experience in critical care.. Does also sometimes require quite a bit of travel.. However, that could be a good thing too..

Anyway, just saw your post and figured I'd give my two cents..

The great thing about this career is there are SO many different jobs that your education prepares you for. Explore and enjoy...

Good luck..