Nursing uncertainty

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Throughout school, I realized that bedside nursing was not for me. I dreaded every second of it, and now that I'm in practicum, I still dread it. It makes me feel like I don't even want to do nursing. In school, I would have mini breakdowns multiple times a week and wonder why I'm going into this profession. I understand the material, I passed all my classes, and patients seem to enjoy me. I just don't know what else there is to do besides bedside. I'm currently in a leadership position where I work and I love it. I wish I had gone with that from the start. However, I've put all of this time and money into my nursing degree. What kind of jobs are out there that are non-hospital for new RNs? I don't see myself ever in a hospital setting. The 12 hour shifts wear me down. Any advice or personal stories appreciated.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Don't give up. There are many jobs that aren't bedside. If you enjoy leadership maybe look into a MSN or DNP executive nurse leadership. Utilization Review, Nurse Managers, insurance companies are just a few options. Good luck!

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There is long term care. The trouble with non-bedside positions, is that lots of people are seeking them out. New grads are at a disadvantage since a lot of non-bedside jobs require experience- hands on nursing experience first. It is hard to be a nurse educator running a training program for new grads in the hospital to create and implement a program without working knowledge.

Transplant coordinators, nurse managers, telephone triage nurses-same thing.

Is there any way you can give bedside nursing a try while keeping a hand in your previous job?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Why did you continue on if you hated it so much? What type of nursing career did you imagine having?

Maybe that's where you need to start your thought process. Maybe if you go back to your basic motivations, it will point you in a nursing direction. Or maybe you will decide that you simply made a mistake in deciding to continue studying a profession you hate and need to acknowledge that and put it behind you. I hope it's the former and that you will "re-discover" what it was/is about nursing that drew you to the field. But if the later is the case, the sooner you admit your mistake to yourself, the sooner you will find a solution that will make you happier.

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Sorry to hear this..I can relate to you in a sense…I would NOT be discouraged….don't think in your mind that nursing is only bedside…there are a LOTs of positions out there…!!! I would call around random facilities and ask them what opportunities they have! it doesn't hurt to ask? right!

Dont' worry..you went to school and it was worth it because nursing degree will take you far!!!!!! Think about it..you can be a telephone triage nurse…if you don't like hands on patient care…I think big companies like Humana will pay well and you work from home…this flexibility and range of options are limitless...

Do one thing though be brave and move forward with the many possible opportunities!! :)

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Why did you continue on if you hated it so much? What type of nursing career did you imagine having?

Maybe that's where you need to start your thought process. Maybe if you go back to your basic motivations, it will point you in a nursing direction. Or maybe you will decide that you simply made a mistake in deciding to continue studying a profession you hate and need to acknowledge that and put it behind you. I hope it's the former and that you will "re-discover" what it was/is about nursing that drew you to the field. But if the later is the case, the sooner you admit your mistake to yourself, the sooner you will find a solution that will make you happier.

Honestly, I was 17 when I chose this major and applied to school. The prereqs were nothing like actual nursing, and to put it simply, I didn't do enough research. By the time I figured out that I love administration, it was too late to change my major. I've already spent a ton of money on school. I just don't like bedside nursing, or the long 12 hour shifts. I'm an 8-5 person. Not a 7-7 person. So now I am at a loss on what I can go into. I'm considering a doctor's office, or may insurance?? I don't know. I wish I could just be an administrator at a hospital, or office, or something.

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Sorry to hear this..I can relate to you in a sense…I would NOT be discouraged….don't think in your mind that nursing is only bedside…there are a LOTs of positions out there…!!! I would call around random facilities and ask them what opportunities they have! it doesn't hurt to ask? right!

Dont' worry..you went to school and it was worth it because nursing degree will take you far!!!!!! Think about it..you can be a telephone triage nurse…if you don't like hands on patient care…I think big companies like Humana will pay well and you work from home…this flexibility and range of options are limitless...

Do one thing though be brave and move forward with the many possible opportunities!! :)

Thank you so much! I am going to do more research and see what I can come up with. In a sense, I am trying not to be discouraged. But many of my classmates are very excited, posting all over Facebook about how they already accepted a job, or that they're looking forward to it. I feel like I'm the only one who chose the wrong field!

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There are many non-bedside options for nurses. Case management, chronic disease management, utilization review... Many health insurance companies and managed care organizations hire nurses for these positions, even as new grads

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