Switching from Acute Care to Ambulatory

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Specializes in tele, ICU, ER, PACU.

I have some interesting opportunities to switch from bedside nursing in a hospital (3 12s) to ambulatory care in a speciality clinic (5 8s).  I've worked in a hospital for over 10 years and am ready for a change but am having  a hard time wrapping my mind around what life would be like working 5 days a week!  Has anyone made the switch and love it, hated it, indifferent?  Thanks for any feedback!

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Specializes in Ambulatory/Recovery room.

When I made the switch from Med-Surg to Ambulatory, I went from working 3-12's to working 5-8's. I have to say, I kinda felt like I lived at the hospital, but it was SO nice getting out of work early. There is so much daylight left in the Summer and plenty of time to do things at my own home.  We have changed our hours (due to an extremely busy department) and now work 4-10's. I think that is perfect for me. By the way, switching departments was the best thing I have ever done! Good luck to you!!

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Specializes in Psych, Hospice, Surgical unit, L&D/Postpartum.

I just left my ED psych position, 3 12s, for a Family clinic position M-F. I am looking forward to the change, but a bit leary about working 5 days per week. I hope I can manage it. The positive thing is I am leaving the crazy world of psych in the ED setting which has been a nightmare for the past year. I am definitely looking forward to a new area of nursing. Good luck in your new job!

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Specializes in BH.

 

On 5/21/2021 at 7:34 PM, Erindel RN said:

I just left my ED psych position, 3 12s, for a Family clinic position M-F. I am looking forward to the change, but a bit leary about working 5 days per week. I hope I can manage it. The positive thing is I am leaving the crazy world of psych in the ED setting which has been a nightmare for the past year. I am definitely looking forward to a new area of nursing. Good luck in your new job!

I've been working on inpatient psych for 11 years and transitioning out to a ambulatory speciality clinic. I'll be floating around to the different specialties. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. How has it been for you so far? 

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Specializes in Psych, Hospice, Surgical unit, L&D/Postpartum.
On 9/26/2021 at 10:57 AM, Rnurse 2008 said:

 

I've been working on inpatient psych for 11 years and transitioning out to a ambulatory speciality clinic. I'll be floating around to the different specialties. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. How has it been for you so far? 

I actually left the office position because it was very boring. It was different than working in a clinic it was more sitting in front of a computer and taking messages off of Epic and responding back to them which was not what I thought I would be doing. I wanted to do more nursing type skills and Hands-On work and that was not what this role ended up being. So I went back to my inpatient psych job at the hospital. Of course I do not want to stay in Psych either because I am totally burnt out but it is what I am doing for now..

The Specialty Clinic sounds like a good role hopefully you will learn a lot and enjoy it!

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Specializes in Leadership.

I went from managing inpatient units to outpatient clinic departments.  It is definitely a different kind of work.  I think some people come to the clinics thinking it will be an easier job but its just got different challenges.  I really like the outpatient world.  You get to see people when they are healthy and in a good place as well as when they are going through an illness.  Its a nice balance to be honest.  Its not as "exciting" as acute care nursing but it can be stressful.  Working 5 days a week from working 3 12s was a transition when I went from bedside work to management work but in general I enjoy it.  I like being home with my family in the evenings.  When I was doing 12s I really just slept, ate and worked on the days I worked.  Its a better balance for me personally but I do miss my long stretches off without vacation. 

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Specializes in PICU, Pediatrics, Trauma.

As others have said, it’s been nice to have more time in the evenings to be with family and the ability to get a good night’s sleep most days.  It has been a challenge to get doctor’s appointments etc in when you work 5 days a week, but overall it is so much less stressful and I really enjoy my new role.  I work in a busy pediatric practice so there was a lot of OT during the Covid surges, but overall, I’m not as exhausted as I was in PICU at the end of my shifts and life just seems healthier now.  I say go for it, and give it a try.  If it doesn’t work out for you, there are plenty of other positions in this “nursing shortage”!  

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