I Need Advise, please help!

Nurses Career Support

Published

Hi all! I hope this hasn't been covered in a previous thread...I just wonder if anyone can give me their opinion on a dilemma I am having. I am fairly new to nursing. I work on a med/surg/onc floor at a large, busy hospital. I love my job, and I love my coworkers, but I am having a medical problem of my own which makes it very difficult to care for patients. The trouble is, when I got into nursing, bedisde nursing was the only thing I wanted to do. Now I worry that I may have to get out of direct patient care, and I don't know what to do. I have never really looked into any other alternatives, since I love my job so much. So, does anyone here have experience with a non-patient care nursing role? If so, what did/do you do, and what do you think of it? I don't want to leave my job, but there may come a time when I don't have a choice. I have my BSN, by the way. And as far as going back to school, I'm not ready for that yet! Thanks a lot for any advice you can give me!

aprilangel01

6 Posts

I have spent some time doing temp work and one of the places that I really enjoyed going was to a doctor's office. There are definately positions there where you can just do triage over the phone and of course take messges and stuff like that but I found that it was quite enjoyable.

Sorry to hear you are having health problems. Some ideas off the top of my head: case management, advice nurse, nurse educator, Utilization review nurse. Good luck!

Corvette Guy

1,505 Posts

Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Hi all! I hope this hasn't been covered in a previous thread...I just wonder if anyone can give me their opinion on a dilemma I am having. I am fairly new to nursing. I work on a med/surg/onc floor at a large, busy hospital. I love my job, and I love my coworkers, but I am having a medical problem of my own which makes it very difficult to care for patients. The trouble is, when I got into nursing, bedisde nursing was the only thing I wanted to do. Now I worry that I may have to get out of direct patient care, and I don't know what to do. I have never really looked into any other alternatives, since I love my job so much. So, does anyone here have experience with a non-patient care nursing role? If so, what did/do you do, and what do you think of it? I don't want to leave my job, but there may come a time when I don't have a choice. I have my BSN, by the way. And as far as going back to school, I'm not ready for that yet! Thanks a lot for any advice you can give me!

May I inquire as to the general medical problem you have so I can maybe better come up with useful suggestions for you? ;)

miko014

672 Posts

Oh sure, it's nothing major. I just have very sensitive skin, and my hands just can't handle all the washing (and alcohol rubs) that is invilved in bedside nursing. They're always cracked and bleeding, or else itching to beat the band. Lotion helps a little bit, but I can't stand having my hands so itchy all the time. I've been to the dermatologist and there's really nothing to do about it except avoid the "irritants'. I've shadowed a case manager, and that's really not something that appealed to me. I'm sure there are lots of options that would not be direct patient care, or at least less hand washing. Like I said, I like my job. I wouldn't leave it if I didn't have to! I appreciate the replies! Thanks everyone!!!

Corvette Guy

1,505 Posts

Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Oh sure, it's nothing major. I just have very sensitive skin, and my hands just can't handle all the washing (and alcohol rubs) that is invilved in bedside nursing. They're always cracked and bleeding, or else itching to beat the band. Lotion helps a little bit, but I can't stand having my hands so itchy all the time. I've been to the dermatologist and there's really nothing to do about it except avoid the "irritants'. I've shadowed a case manager, and that's really not something that appealed to me. I'm sure there are lots of options that would not be direct patient care, or at least less hand washing. Like I said, I like my job. I wouldn't leave it if I didn't have to! I appreciate the replies! Thanks everyone!!!

Possibly RN jobs related to legal issues, or medical insurance? Since you have a BSN I'd imagine opportunities do exist for you other than bedside nursing. I just cannot think of specific areas at the moment.

Good luck!

gitterbug

540 Posts

teaching.

miko014

672 Posts

Thanks guys! I appreciate the help. Does anyone have experience in any of these "other" nursing areas that they could share? I'd like to hear what people think of these jobs...or anything that anyone has to share, really. Thank you all again!

+ Add a Comment