Returning to the bedside

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Hello,

After 6 years away from the bedside, I have decided to return. leadership and management are interesting but I realize that my talent and passion are at the bedside. I know bedside nursing is very hard but something is drawing me back. I am considering a position on a med-surg unit at a level II hospital because I want to try to gain a broad range of skills that will allow me to be successful. I have 12 years of experience total but 6 years of direct patient care, mostly in orthopedics, SICU, CTICU. I'm wondering if anyone out there has done this and what advice they might have about returning to the bedside after being away from it for a while. Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Welcome to allnurses! I had a similar experience after many years of working in various outpatient environments, I felt the draw as well. I ended up doing private duty for vent/trach patients, basically bedside nursing in a home instead of a hospital.

What I found was that I never really forgot how to be a bedside nurse once I hit my stride, and the issues were just getting current on the clinical/skills by independent research. The other issue I think, is that hopefully you'll hire on with a supportive team. I was lucky to have colleagues who didn't roll their eyes when I asked a question.

Wishing you the best!

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Thank you nursel56, I appreciate the feedback!

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