I would like to learn more about nursing jobs outside of the hospital. Are any of you folks out there and can you tell me (us) about it, e.g., what you like and don't like about your jobs, how long you've been in that position and how you got it (what credentials/experience were required), what a typical day is like, etc.?
I am especially curious about nurses working in biotech (e.g., FDA submission preparation), clinical trials, research, writing, law, etc.
Specializes in med-surg, ltc,occupational health,.
I am a LPN, I will start my new job as an office nurse(OB/GYN) on monday. Prior to that I was a nurse working for American Red Cross. Loved it just hated the long hours away from home with the travel. Have a teenager at home.
WOW! I am a Correctional RN too but do not make 11,000 a month. Its good pay but not like that... I need to come work with you!!
Yeah but, there's a down side. Don't get me wrong ... I also work for the California state prison system and the pay is great ... I'm not complaining ... but to make $11,000 a month with OT you've pretty much got to be working all of the time.
Basically to bring home an extra $3K after taxes, you've got to work two extra eight hour shifts a week so ... either you're going in at 6 a.m. and leaving at ten o'clock at night at least a couple of days a week or ...
You're going in on one or both of your two days off (we typically work 5 eight hour shifts a week).
Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.
I work in the Hospice field with a case management of 12. I to out to their homes and JUST LOVE IT... I am the most happiest, contented and at peace in the 30 years of my nursing career. I pray I never have to work in the hospital setting again!!!!
Specializes in Labor and Delivery, clinical research.
I currently work in Clinical Research as a certified clinical research coordinator ( CCRC). I've been a nurse for 30 years and previously worked in a hospital setting for many, many years. My speciality was labor and delivery and I maintain a certification in that field as well.. I absolutely love what I do. Of course I have a great boss that allows me to have autonotomy with my schedule. I see a variety of different patients/subjects on a daily basis depending on the clinical trial that I am working on.. it varies from diabetes, testosterone, hypertension, and heart failure. I no longer work weekends or holidays and the pay is comparable to what I made in the hospital. I feel like I found some sort of secret society.. there is actually an appreciation for what I do and I feel like I"m helping people. I knew I wanted out of the hospital setting ( I was tired of being run ragget) and began doing some "research" about working in a research environment.. I stumbled into something good via networking. Each day I have a mix of actual clinical skills, EKG's, labs, teaching, drug accountability along with a giant papertrail but it's all good. I do a bit of travel at times when I am beginning a new trial to learn about the protocol... I feel like I'm treated well and respected in my position.
I work in a cardiology physicians' office. Yes it is Monday through Friday, no weekends or holidays. Pay is less than you would get at a hospital and the benefits are awful unless you are in management. I supervise 6 LPN's, 2 RN's, a nuclear medicine tech, 2 echo techs and a cardiovascular tech. Problem is that when someone is off on vacation or sick, there is no one to fill in so you have to do it. The docs are a bunch of Prima donnas and you can never do enough to please them. The upside is that you aren't working shift, holidays, etc. You have to weight the pros and cons and decide if it is worth it.
I work as a Correctional RN at one of the State of California's prisons. I run one of the "yard" clinics (one of five) during the day shift (0600 to 1400). There are approximately 200 inmates per building and six buildings total...1200 inmates to one RN, rofl. Some days are tougher than others, but all in all it's a blast; never know what you're going to get.
The pay more than makes up for the craziness: $5100.00 take home for a normal 40 hour work week/ month + approx. $3000.00 take home in overtime/ month (about $11,000.00 per/ month before taxes).
Not too shabby for an out-of-hospital RN.
I believe that Correctional nursing is a GREAT opportunity for RNs and NPs alike. RNs need really solid clinical assessment skills, because they may be the only medical person on the site. NPs are expected to work autonomously, and they get the best of both worlds, acute care (trauma and emergencies like chest pain) and primary care (hypertension, diabetes, etc) all in one job. Give it a try!
I work as a disease manager for an insurance company. We assess pts q 3 mos, do teaching, education on disease/drugs/issues, and it's all over the phone, no patient contact.
Specializes in ED, critical care, flight nursing, legal.
After a lifetime of hospital nursing, my knees gave out. I knew I couldn't stand or walk for long periods anymore. I became a nurse paralegal and am sorry I didn't do this sooner. I am employed full-time by a plaintiff's law firm, so I can still function as a patient advocate. The work is interesting, and the days just fly by. I do everything from interviewing clients to writing submissions to the Medical Review Panel to doing research and locating expert witnesses. I am treated as a professional. The attorneys I work for respect my opinions and are always giving me positive feedback about the work I do. (something sorely missing from hospital work). The more nursing experience you have, the better, but a lot of attorneys are really just looking for someone to interpret medical lingo for them.
My knees didn't give out, but I have a few scars and myalgias after 20 years in emergency medicine, including pre-hospital, flight nursing, and hyperbarics. I also did a few cases as an ER expert, so when I was offered a job in a law firm, I "eased into" it for 2 years on a per-diem basis, and then made the full-time jump the first of this year.
Like you, I love it and agree with the respect, professionalism (more so at times then I ever felt at the hospital) and positive feed-back comments. I also do many of the same things you describe, and while I usually work the defense side (usually doctors, hospitals, or nurses) we do some personal injury stuff as well. I still consider myself an advocate, mostly for my professional colleagues working in a clinical setting, but for some "patients" as well.
The flexibility has allowed me to pursue an advanced degree.
A subsequent poster asks about "those courses" to work in the legal arena. I assume they meant the "legal nurse consultant" designation. In my admittedly limited experience to date, I find most attorneys don't know, or care much about these various and different certifications. A broad based clinical experience, as well as a willingness to research and learn about the many things you haven't been exposed to in the clinical setting, and the ability to communicate (that is, write well, and not the jargon laced short hand most clinicians use daily in charting) well, are much more important. However, the ability to read and "interpret" poor copies of barely legible handwriting on the medical records, is an extremely valuable asset as well.
I am an elementary school nurse in SW Idaho. I am starting my 6th year as a school nurse and I love it. I love the autonomy, the kids, the responsibility and the hours. Annually our pay is not as high as hospital nursing but when you calculate it hourly it really isn't bad. Several of us work a few nights or weekends a month either for the challenge or the extra money. If you have school aged children it is awesome as there isn't any daycare expense and you can pick out your child's teacher!
Specializes in pre hospital, ED, Cath Lab, Case Manager.
I work for an insurance company doing utilization review & discharge planning. I get to advocate for the patients in a different way. I get to speak to nurses all over the country which can be really fun. It has been a really great experience for me. The nurses I work with are really a team - no back biting or in fighting. There are several inservices a month.
You need either three years hospital experience preferably ED or a BSN.
Lolo37
23 Posts
I am a LPN, I will start my new job as an office nurse(OB/GYN) on monday. Prior to that I was a nurse working for American Red Cross. Loved it just hated the long hours away from home with the travel. Have a teenager at home.