harumi22

It seems that the stars aligned for me, and I'm forever thankful. I found something way better than bedside, and it pays well, too.

I actually got into an auditing position first. I inquired about it when I got tired of working bedside, and they gave it to me. I did that for a couple years. After a while, I expressed interest in going into Informatics, and they eventually gave me the analyst position. I suggest trying to look for and ask around if there's an analyst position available and let your interest be known. Curious, how long have you been working bedside?

They may still see it as such. I was going off of what an administrator said when we tried getting assistance from nurses outside the hospital. The nurses were concerned of being forced to work bedside despite being out of practice for years. Said administrator mentioned they could lose their license for refusing. In any case, I will try to look further into it. Appreciate the reply and advice.

I would definitely prefer to help out with those tasks versus taking my own patients. You're right. It wouldn't be as stressful, and I still get to help out. They will let me know later exactly what I will be doing when I get pulled. Yes, if necessary, they will also get pulled.

Thank you! They will let me know exactly what will be in store for us when they discuss a bit further about the details of the plan. I definitely would prefer to just help my fellow coworkers out with what you listed instead of handling my own patients. Appreciate the advice.

Under normal circumstances, my organization would ask first if any nurses are interested in floating to other departments in need of help. However, when it's an emergency like this pandemic, they want all hands on deck. It's not uncommon for them to do this in these situations because when we were severely short-staffed back when I was still working the floor, we were forced to work 60+ hours a week. I'm glad you work for an organization that cares enough to give you a choice. Thank you for your advice!

Thank you for the encouragement!

Yes, I'll try to take advantage of the reorientation. Thank you!

Hi, Lemon. Thanks for the reply! I'd probably lose my job if I refuse. Even worse, since we're in a state of emergency during a pandemic, it's likely I'd get reported to the Board as well.

Hi lilly-may, sorry for the super late reply. It actually worked well for me in the end. I left bedside and got a nurse analyst position in the same hospital. I enjoy my work for the most part now. However, I might still leave nursing in the future and transition into a career in IT, maybe. What about you?

I've been working in a hospital and have been a nurse for a few years now. I worked in a Medsurg floor for about a year before I left and did something else. I eventually ended up as a nurse analyst and have been enjoying it so far for the most part. Very recently there's been a surge in Covid cases in my area, and my hospital is planning to deploy all nurses who are not currently on the floor to the floor to help out until we flatten the curve again. I left the floor because I didn't like it, it gave me anxiety and depression (I was even having suicidal ideation at one point), and I honestly believe nursing is just not for me. I ended up as an analyst because I enjoy working with computers and software, not with patients and doctors. Right now I'm very anxious to be forced to return. I've been out of practice for almost 3 years. I fear working on the floor for only 1 year wasn't enough to develop the level of knowledge and critical thinking skills that I would like to be in, so I'm not very confident with either of those right now. It also doesn't help that I suffer from low confidence and self-esteem. It was suggested for me to reorient, but I just can't shake this anxiety/nervousness away, and I feel my depression returning. People I've talked to keep telling me I'll be fine, but I have a hard time believing it. It's way worse now than when I first started working there, and I'm really dreading going back. Anyone have any advice?

Do you know a nurse who decided to settle for a lower-paying job like a cashier because they were desperate to leave nursing? Know anyone who has successfully left this career field? If so, how did they do it? I'm interested to know these kinds of stories. Feel free to share them and other stories related to these questions.

So you've left nursing for good? I'm still trying to figure out how to get out.

It's been a year working at this hospital, and my feelings haven't changed. In fact, it's gotten worse. They constantly pile more paperwork on top of the paperwork we already have. It's getting too much. Plus, we're always short-staffed, especially since we opened up more beds. I did get an auditing position as a nurse, so I work as an auditor and on the floor. However, I'm thinking of going part-time and get a non-nursing job, like a cashier or something, until I can figure out what I want to do or return to school for something else. I've given nursing too many chances, and I feel like it's time to move on to something better that will make me happy. Thanks for your encouragement. I hope all goes well for you, too.

Thank you for taking the time to give me some advice. Really appreciate it. I've been thinking of working a lower-paying job (outside of nursing) while I think about what I should pursue when I return to school. My new non-nursing job will probably enable me to focus more on myself, do some soul-searching, shadow people (like you suggested) and give me more time to plan my next steps. I'm just worried that I might not get hired because I have no experience outside of nursing; nursing was my first job ever. I'm also worried what people will think if I work at a lower-paying job. My mom already thinks I'm demoting myself if I do this. But I try to keep telling myself that this is only temporary until I figure things out. I know I won't be able to do this if I stay in nursing because it takes up most of my time and energy. You think this is the right move?