Thinking of going back to the floor

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Specializes in Oncology, Research.

So I am thinking of doing the unthinkable for many. I currently work in clinical trials and have done that for the last 2+ years. I have gotten my CCRC and am in a good position to make a career in big pharma. The job is cushy. We never have to clean up messes, patients don't crash on us, we don't have to deal with pushy families and (with overtime) the money is much better than I expected to be making 3 years out. But I am bored. I feel like I do not have to use my brain in this job and that it is slowly turning to mush. It was not a total waste of time. I can read the heck out of an ECG, good at tele, blood draws, etc.

Call me crazy, but I miss the energy of floor. I also miss that feeling of accomplishment and those cases where you catch something and give yourself a good pat on the back. OK, I do not miss shifts where I would have 5 trachs, 6 G-Tubes, 5 restraints, 2 lumbar drains and 1 ventriculostomy. (That was the shift the broke me.) But anyway, it has been over two years since I worked in the hospital and I was only there for 10 months. Would it be advisable to take an RN refresher course? This would be for my own edification as I am not worried about getting hired. Any advice would be appreciated.

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Specializes in He who hesitates is probably right....

I'm in Pittsburgh. Let's trade.

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Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

ambidexterous wiper hahahahaha

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Specializes in OB/GYN.

you could always find a job on the floor and start orientation and see how you feel and then make the decision as to whether you need a refresher course. i'm sure you will be amazed at how fast things come back to you. then that way you won't go through that whole process when you didn't really need to.

btw, i'm interested in clinical trials. how do you go about getting your foot in the door and how do you come across these types of jobs? i'm wanting to get away from the floor!

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Don't do it!!!!! You have an awesome job!!!!! :) Sorry... I'm just jealous!!

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Don't do it.

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I wish you luck in deciding what is best for you and what you really want to do. ;)

Tiffany

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I would probably do it per diem with orientation, if you really want this. I support whatever you wish to do, but I have to say, I would stay where I am.

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I'm a research nurse too in oncology studies. I'm in a position too where I can make some $$ by working with CRO's....but.....I then I also think about going to the floor or going to school for NP. I agree, I think you should try it per diem to see if you really like it. You can always go to the pharma co's and the CROs and make the big $$. They are always looking for people!

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Specializes in Oncology, Research.

Thanks for your replies so far. The grass is always greener isn't it? I have thought about going back PRN and I am going to start seriously pursing that option soon. Only issue with that is that I often work 60+ hours a week, 7 days a week. Job still sound so great? On top of that time commitment I am also in school for my FNP/MPH.

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Yep, do per diem and get your feet wet first. Have you been in a hospital recently? Not exactly a healthy work environment. You may want to look at some of the other posts on this site. Many posts are members of this forum describing how much floor nursing suck...err...stinks. However, if this is your calling, I hope it works out well.

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I was recently in a similar position as you. I only worked in the hospital for 10 months prior to calling it quits. I found a "cushy" job working as a community educator and rep for a home care agency. For the first few months, I couldn't believe my luck. The working environment is so much better than the hospital and the pay is better too. However, I soon discovered that the job is not ideal and I no longer really feel like a nurse. I am also in school for FNP, so that was the deciding factor. Take a look at any listings for FNP positions and you will usually find that at least 2 years of acute care experience is required. Also, pay attention to the experience that your classmates (your future competitors for FNP jobs) have. That is what you will be up against when you graduate and are trying to find a job. How will your clinical trial experience really benefit you as an FNP?

So, I decided to go back to the hospital. Even being out only 6 months, I found it somewhat difficult to get back in the hospital. Of course, I was super picky. I don't think that you will need a refresher course, but you may have a hard time getting a job as per diem. That is what I was searching for, but I ended up taking a 0.8 appointment. I just didn't have enough acute care experience to qualify for per diem. Even though I am taking on more hours than I wanted to, I compromised because the ratios are great and it is a hospital with a good reputation for treating nurses well.

I'm not exactly thrilled about going back to the hospital, but I am trying to focus on my ultimate goal (FNP). I am treating this as part of my schooling, because I really believe the experience will be necessary to get the job that I want when I graduate.

I would recommend that you think really hard about your future career goals with FNP. Clinical trials experience is great, but will it really help you to get your first FNP job? Also, a year (or two) is not that long. If you decide that you really don't like the hospital after all, you can always find another position outside of acute care. The nursing experience that you will have gained in the meantime will only help you.

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