RN with only hospital experience seeking a change

[amm2888]

Hey Everyone

I just want to start out by saying this website and everyone inputs on different topics, is what got me through so many situation in nursing school and my first 2 jobs. I've been doing so much research on different nursing jobs, that my head is spinning!

I graduated in May 2011. It is so incredibly hard for new nurses to gain job in hospital where i live that i moved 5 hours away form home for my first nursing job on a telemetry unit. I just recently moved back home and got a job as an ICU nurse. Initially i thought "Wow, this is a great step forward in my nursing career" but even though Ive only been here for 4 months, i know its not for me. The stress, the critically ill, sedated intubated patients, the hospital setting; everything about it is just eating up at me. I know i should give it some more time so that is why Im looking into keeping a perdiem position in the ICU while searching for a full time position in community health. I love teach patients and after seeing where people can end up if they don't take care of themselves, just fuels my fire more to provide teaching and care outside the hospital setting.

My question is, How would i go about finding a job in community health, outpatient facilities, any setting that isnt in the hospital?

I know Im way to early in my career to feel burnout but i know ill get there soon if something does change.

Thank you for you replies!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Be sure you have an accurate picture of those types of jobs. Journey over to the AN forum on community health and see what they have to say. Truth is, RNs are very expensive, so most employers are using them very sparingly... for tasks/responsibilities that ONLY RNs can do. You may find yourself stuck in a lot of admin work while LPNs and MAs are actually interacting with patients. Very few physician offices allow sufficient time to conduct any serious patient education - mostly just providing instructional handouts.

Have you considered moving into a role that is more focused on patient education such as Diabetic Education? It's just a sad fact that reimbursement is the driving force for health care services in the US. If the service (like patient teaching) cannot be billed, it is a very low priority.