Layla_B

Hi everyone, I am desperately trying to get out of my current Med-Surg position of 4+ years, and I would IDEALLY like to transition into something with less direct patient care. I am a perfectionist, detail-oriented, and very "by the book." I like rules and policies and having the time to devote to being thorough and to think things through. My current job is about as far from healthy for my type of personality as I could imagine. There is a job posting for a clinical documentation specialist, which I've researched somewhat and it sounds promising. My problem with finding a job is that I over-think everything, and convince myself I am unqualified for every job that is posted based on minor details. If it asks for EKG interpretation skills, which I have, I tell myself I can't apply because I am not confidence that I am "proficient" at the skill as the post asks for, as an example. I need some help determining if this job would be a good fit for me, as stupid as it might sound. Here is the job posting Qualifications portion: "Current, unencumbered **** Nursing License. 3-5 years experience as an RN in acute care nursing. Excellent observation skills, analytical and critical thinking, problem solving with good verbal and written communication skills. Knowledge of age specific needs and the elements of disease processes and related procedures for the targeted patient population. Clinical knowledge and understanding of pathology/physiology of disease processes. Strong understanding of medical terminology. Ability to work independently in time sensitive environment. Ability to work as a part of a multidisciplinary team. Ability to assess, evaluate and teach key concepts related to documentation improvement. Excellent time management and projectmanagement skills. Proficiency in computer use and windows based applications. Prefer: BSN. 1 year previous experience as a Clinical Documentation Specialist. Previous experience with ICD-9 Coding Guidelines; electronic health record functionality; supporting software tools for data collection; coding basics & medicare severity diagnostic related groups [ MS-DRG-s], basic information related severity of Illness, risk of mortality, medical necessity, core and quality measures and impact of length of stay." What do you all think? I have my BSN and, as I said earlier, 4 years of Med-Surg tele. I would never consider myself to be superb at any of the requirements (I have none of the preferred), so that is what's holding me back. I have a basic understanding of pathophysiology as it relates to my job, but it's not like I could write an essay on a given disease process from the cellular level or anything . . . I just want to be excellent at what I do, and getting a job I'm not qualified for and then failing is a terrifying thought. Thanks for any help!!

How do I go about FINDING these jobs? So far I've found very little advertised outside of hospitals and nursing homes. I just don't know where to start. Oh, and thank you for your very helpful response. It was good to hear a success story.

Hello all. I've been a nurse on a medical unit at a hospital for 2 years now. It has been a great learning experience, but I am 100% burnt out and can't do it any longer. I would really like a break from the overly stressful hospital environment for a while. My problem is finding a job outside of the hospital - I don't even know where to start. How does one go about finding these kind of jobs? I have a family friend who works for a private company as the RN, and she said the most exciting thing she sees is the occasional work related injury like a burn...now that sounds nice for a change! I know I will have to take a pay cut, but I do not want a low-paying job considering I get paid very well at my current job. I've heard clinics do not pay RNs very well? I realize if these jobs were plentiful there likely wouldn't be any nurses willing to work in a hospital, but I'm willing to work hard to find something and I just need that extra boost to get me started. I have given myself a years time in which to research and find a new job that suits my needs. Thank you to anyone who can help (personal success stories are welcome!) Related Topic (added by staff) You may be interested in reading Beyond the Bedside: 10 Nurse Opportunities Outside of the Hospital for in-depth opportunities.

This is so stupid, but I still want some advice. I accidentally cut my hand on glass earlier tonight; there was a shard I didn't see and I jammed it into my palm when washing dishes. I have no idea how deep it is, because I held pressure until the bleeding mostly stopped and then put butterfly strips on because it would start bleeding every time I moved my hand. Right now it just looks like a normal, closed, 1.5 inch laceration. The issue is the placement of the laceration. It's on my palm near my thumb, so any major movement is pretty painful and could potentially stretch it open. And it's very painful for just a laceration. If I put any pressure on my palm at all I wince & draw back. My question is: should I work on my medical floor with this injury? It seems silly not to, because it's basically just a cut on my hand. I worry, however, about how my abilities will be limited with limited use of my hand. Even handwashing as often as I would have to would be difficult. I know the real answer would be go to the doctor for evaluation and advice, but I don't know if I can get an appointment before 3pm tomorrow when I have to be at work. And maybe I should have gone and got it sutured, but it stopped bleeding and the butterfly strips hold it closed just fine. What do you guys think? Sorry that's a lot of info for such an easy question. Should I work and just try to deal with the pain since it's a very minor injury, or should I play it safe and take the evening off and let it heal?

I know this is a completely random thing to vent about, but I absolutely cannot stand giving report to the older, experienced day shift nurses when my night shift is over! It always seems like they are giving me harsh criticisms, even when I don't feel they are deserved. It's like - "well, did you do this?" or "why didn't you do that?" I do everything that is best for my patients within my abilities, and I just feel like I am constantly being accused of laziness. They come into it with an attitude that I DID make mistakes, and they are just trying to find them. My most disliked part is when they ask about the specifics of the patient's discharge. In all honesty, that is not my focus during my shift. Sure, I don't have as many things to deal with as day shift, but I I also have up to twice as many patients and extra chart responsiblities to make up for it. When I have 3 confused patients climbing out of bed, no sitters for these patients, someone with chest pain, and another with a BP of 215/110, THE LAST THING ON MY MIND is sitting with a chart and reading about the plans for the patient discharging the next day. I just really don't appreciate "well, why didn't you read about it in the chart?" and then the disapproving stare when I can't tell them if the patient has arranged to be picked up from the hospital already. Anyone have similar frustrations???