Nursing job with routine

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Specializes in cardiac.

Hello, I have been a bedside nurse for almost 5 years. I did cardiac tele for 4.5 years and just moved to cardiac ICU 7 months ago.

I love my new role in the cardiac ICU. Everything is so interesting and fascinating to me, however, at the end of the day I feel like you put up with the same old crap you do as any other floor.

I am tired of the unpredictability of bedside nursing. I am tired of being torn left and right between patients, family members, doctors, etc. I am tired of cleaning up mountains of poop. I am tired of running myself ragged. I do not want to float to other floors I don't feel comfortable working on.

I now want a job that is more predictable. I want a job that I can walk into in the morning and at least somewhat know what to expect. I want something with more stability.

I worked 3 12's in a row this past weekend and it was so busy. I've been off 2 days now and still trying to recover. I want a job where I can have a life and not have to try so freaking hard to pull myself together on my days off.

Any recommendations?

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There are several current threads here regarding leaving the bedside. Read those and research previous threads. There are many areas you can consider.

I left the bedside for utilization management for an insurance company.

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Specializes in Quality Management.

Plenty of options just off the top of my head:

  • case management
  • care management
  • certifies diabetes educator CDE
  • wellness/health coach
  • School nursing
  • ambulatory primary care (clinic)
  • doctors office
  • pharmaceutical rep
  • home care
  • visiting nurse
  • telehealth
  • nurse educator
  • Private duty
  • teaching Home health aides
  • research nurse
  • nurse recruiter
  • Nurse legal Consultant
  • nurse paralegal
  • nurse attorney

theres more I just can’t think of it right now.

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I'm not sure if you're still interested in bedside at all, but if you want to stay in the hospital setting, a moderate-acuity NICU might fit the bill.

You get the occasional crazy shift, but on the whole, NICU shifts tend to be very predictable (assess, diaper, feed, repeat). In general, the families are very sweet, appreciative, understanding. The code browns are minuscule.

It also tends to be a pretty uplifting work environment, since the vast majority of the time you watch kids get better and go home.

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Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.

There’s been a lot of question lately about leaving the bedside, and considering the work environment lately it’s no surprise.

personally I would wait for covid to be over, take a vacation, even if you just stay home Having time off will help. And see how you feel when thing return to “normal”

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You seem to like Cardiology- look into cath lab and see how much ICU experience they require . Some will be 1 year while Others want 2. Our cath lab is mostly elective procedures minus your N/STEMIs. Procedural areas tend to have a good amount of routine to them.

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Specializes in cardiac.
On 5/19/2020 at 9:50 PM, adventure_rn said:

I'm not sure if you're still interested in bedside at all, but if you want to stay in the hospital setting, a moderate-acuity NICU might fit the bill.

You get the occasional crazy shift, but on the whole, NICU shifts tend to be very predictable (assess, diaper, feed, repeat). In general, the families are very sweet, appreciative, understanding. The code browns are minuscule.

It also tends to be a pretty uplifting work environment, since the vast majority of the time you watch kids get better and go home.

thank you, I have considered it but I am at a point where I am so tired of bedside nursing that I don't want any part of it at all, even in the NICU

On 5/22/2020 at 7:43 PM, DextersDisciple said:

You seem to like Cardiology- look into cath lab and see how much ICU experience they require . Some will be 1 year while Others want 2. Our cath lab is mostly elective procedures minus your N/STEMIs. Procedural areas tend to have a good amount of routine to them.

I actually did try Cath lab for a while but went back to what I was doing because I didn't like the call schedule. It's crazy what they work at my hospital

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

 Inpatient areas  with  lots of routine include GI Lab and Short Procedure Unit- get em in and out. Rare code browns.

Home Health is full of surprises and very heavy documentation  for Medicare + Medicaid clients.

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Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU.

Have you considered LTC? The patients live there and many of which stay for years. You have people decline and acute issues come up, however it has a pretty stable routine to it once you learn your residents. LTC can be really hard, but the relationships you build with the residents and their families really makes up for the hard work. 

A friend of mine who did outpatient dialysis said that while you have emergencies and acute issues come up, there's also a lot of routine to it as well. Your acute care experience would be very valuable there.

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Extended care home health can be very, very routine bound.  After all, it is routine care for stable patients.  Some nurses like this.

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On 5/20/2020 at 12:50 AM, adventure_rn said:

...The code browns are minuscule.

 

This gave me a much needed laugh!

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On 2/1/2021 at 12:28 AM, NRSKarenRN said:

 Inpatient areas  with  lots of routine include GI Lab and Short Procedure Unit- get em in and out. Rare code browns.

Home Health is full of surprises and very heavy documentation  for Medicare + Medicaid clients.

Can you give examples of short procedural units? Thank you.

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