Other Jobs That a Nurse Can Do?

[westieluv]

So I am too young to retire, but after 24 years as a nurse, I am so tired of having to work with sick, unhappy people all day long, and especially of having to be responsible for other people's lives. I am really ready to just work at a desk job of some kind or in some field other than nursing where people are actually not sick and I don't have to worry about literally having their lives in my hands every time I go to work.

Can anyone suggest any areas of work where one can make at least 2/3 of what a nurse makes and where a nurse would have a chance at getting hired? If I were to apply, say, at a bank or a library, would they just pitch my resume', or is it at least worth a try?

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. I currently work in outpatient dialysis after years in the hospital, LTC, and hospice and I am really tired of being responsible for every aspect of 20+ treatments a day, but I can't even imagine going back to any of those other areas of nursing except possibly hospice.

[sweetdreame, BSN, RN]

You could easily get hired at a bank or a library, but you sure as heck wouldn't be making what you make as an RN. Also, I worked as a bank teller in undergrad and it isn't all roses, people are still rude.

Why not just find a nursing job that is more of a desk job, like case management? Employee health also seems like a decent gig if you aren't into dealing with really sick patients and want to spend the majority of your time in an office.

It sounds like you have certainly "paid your dues" as a nurse. Good luck with the job hunt.

[gavin13]

Advice nursing. I just started with kaiser permanente. So far I luv it. I'm in the mid Atlantic region and at a call center. Work is not physically demanding at all. U sit at desk for 8 n go home. No one to give report to. U come in, do ur thing, n go home. It's unionized n pay is excellent as well as benefits. I hope u find ur cup of tea!

[rnbabyzoo]

Have you thought about managing a home health agency as the DON? My friend retired fron acute care and did this, she primarily recruits new nurses and manages case through paperwork

[mhy12784]

Mention your experience, and people might be able to make better suggestions catered to your experience/history

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

1. Telephonic nursing

2. Instructor of a practical nursing program

3. Instructor of a nursing assistant program

4. Workers compensation review nurse

5. Instructor of a medical assistant program

6. Utilization review nurse

7. Case manager

8. Staffing coordinator

9. Nursing recruiter

10. Human resources assistant at a hospital system

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Your qualifications as a nurse will satisfy many job requirements.

I hear your desperation, but you do not have to settle for 2/3 salary at any thing you can get.

Think out side the box and search, search, search.

Good luck!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Going back to school for an MSN? That opened doors for me.

[westieluv]

Thanks for all of your replies, I really appreciate you all taking the time to try to help me.

I guess it's a little more complex than I implied, because I definitely don't want to go back to school at this point in my life and I don't want to climb the ladder in healthcare in any way, such as management or teaching.

I simply want to go to a job that I enjoy, or at least don't NOT look forward to going to (which is pretty much what any type of nursing would be for me at this point), do my job, and go home. We are very recent empty nesters, and instead of investing in my nursing career at this point in my life, I would love to just work somewhere where no one is depending on me to have all of the literally life or death answers to their problems, and somewhere that is not remotely healthcare related. If retail paid any more than essentially minimum wage, I would be fine with that. Even being a restaurant hostess looks good to me on some days! But seriously, something like library work, insurance office work, etc. would be kind of nice. There are some case management and utilization review positions open in my area, and that would eliminate direct patient care, so that may be an option where I could still use my nursing knowledge away from the bedside (or in my current position, chairside).

Thanks again to all of you for not judging me because I am getting burned out. I am still kind and patient with my patients, but it is so much more draining than it used to be!

[casper1]

I feel your pain. Bedside Nursing is extremely difficult you have to balance multiple demands at one time. You not only need to be clinically excellent you also must be a diplomat a social worker a teacher a computer wiz on and on the list of attributes and skills a good nurse must master is endless. I just left the bedside for a job in abstraction, I review medical charts to verify my facility is meeting core measures for certification. Great Job !

[becka9058]

Try going for jobs in health promotion and health campaigns or you could go into teaching nursing and other health related subjects. Health promotion will be a desk type job, you'll be able to use your team-working skills from nursing as well as feeling a sense of achieving something when you get to the end of it. You'll still be able to help people; just more indirectly. You won't have their lives in your hands as you put it but you can still influence others to have a healthy lifestyle and awareness. Hope this helps =)

[HIPPIECHIKRN]

I stumbled on this thread and it's funny, I could have written the same thing. I have been an RN for 31 years now. I graduated from a diploma program way back when. At this stage of the game if i go back to school it will not be for nursing. My last job was in a correctional facility infirmary. My compassion and empathy points have been worn out! I thought even about just working at Wal Mart! Just to get out of the situation. Thank you for posting this question, because it will surely inspire and help others in our boat. Best wishes to you in your search. There are several ideas I'm going to work on now.