Thinking about going back to the hospital

allnurses Guide · Jun 9, 2012

The market is very tight now. If you have been away from the bedside for 10 years you will likely need to take a refresher course to get any glances in the job market.

I was not aware that insurance positions pay so much more than hospital positions?

insnurse · Jun 9, 2012

Yes, insurance pays very well, which was one of the lures that kept me there so long. They give salary, bonuses and overtime. Sadly it has changed me and I really think I know where my heart is.

Oh gosh, I thought refresher courses were for situations where your license lapsed or inactive status??

I work as a nurse clinical reviewer (review trauma, inpatient stays for all areas...NICU, Peds, Med/surg, ER but primarily ICU and I must show proof of active licensure each year. I have to admit, doing this job has really been an education. But it's time to move on, but afraid like I mentioned before. It's scary to change!

allnurses Guide · Jun 10, 2012

Refresher courses also can get you back to trying your hand at skills again as well as let the hospital know you have "brushed up" on the parts of nursing that are pertinent to bedside care.

jkr2020788 · Jun 10, 2012

Going back to the hospital will be a slight challenge if you are not up to date with all of the new techniques used. You will however have a slightly easier time than a new grad, becuase you have already had some exp. I would def go back inot the hopsital, it will keep your brain going, because you always learn more and more things in nursing.

missladyrn · Jun 10, 2012

I would never leave a good paying job to go back to the hospital. Chances are you might hate he hospital just as much but also make less money. Are there other companies you could work for with your current skills? Will they take you back later on if you hate the hospital ? Can you try to do part time or prn?

insnurse · Jun 10, 2012

Thanks for all the comments. Before I went to the hospital I worked ER/ICU. Leaving the good paying job does make me so nervous but my husband says he thinks I'm going to have a heart attack or nervous breakdown from the stress. You see when you work at home for an insurance company in my department there is mandatory overtime as well as basically being on call 24/7. I never ever get to end my day. My children always hear me saying "I have to check a case" or I have to do some more cases, etc. There are production standards that to get a good review the more you do the better, decrease hospital beddays when it's out of our control, the backstabbing and stealing of cases is awful. Documentation of accounting for every minute of your day. My day never ever ends. I am physically and mentally exhausted. I'm not sure the money is worth the stress right now. I envy my husband who goes to work and when he is home, his day is done. So far I have had the best weekend ever with just the thought of possibly going back to the hospital and knowing there is some relief to never being off work.

MagsMom · Jun 10, 2012

There are some options with less stress - you can try case management or utilization review in the hospital. It will be similar work but your day will be over when you go home. If you live near an academic university you can always try research - that is an area that could use your skills and you would get some patient care. That might be a good way to "ease" back in to the hospital setting. I have also noticed alot of jobs lately for compliance and documentation specialist. These would both be good for your skill set and another avenue to get your foot back in the hospital. Some new jobs that are being created at a rapid pace are Care managers, transitions specialists, and inpatient specialist. I would look at some of these options as well - you really need to look to see what is available in your area. I know the job market is tight but my job became hostile a few months ago - I applied for everything and was pleasantly suprised at how many options I came away with.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jun 10, 2012

i've worked in the hospital for over three decades now, and most of the time i love it. the ability to work my shift and then leave work at work is a real plus! being around other nurses is another. i wouldn't discourage you from going back to the hospital. i see an awful lot of negativity about hospital nursing on allnurses, but i truly believe that if you go into it with a good attitude and a modicum of flexibility, it can be a great experience. go for it!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2012

Thanks for all the comments. Before I went to the hospital I worked ER/ICU. Leaving the good paying job does make me so nervous but my husband says he thinks I'm going to have a heart attack or nervous breakdown from the stress. You see when you work at home for an insurance company in my department there is mandatory overtime as well as basically being on call 24/7. I never ever get to end my day. My children always hear me saying "I have to check a case" or I have to do some more cases, etc. There are production standards that to get a good review the more you do the better, decrease hospital bed days when it's out of our control, the backstabbing and stealing of cases is awful. Documentation of accounting for every minute of your day. My day never ever ends. I am physically and mentally exhausted. I'm not sure the money is worth the stress right now. I envy my husband who goes to work and when he is home, his day is done. So far I have had the best weekend ever with just the thought of possibly going back to the hospital and knowing there is some relief to never being off work.

I am not so sure hospital environments are much better these days without the 24/7 accountability but there can be mandatory OT and you aren't at home.

I wish you the best..:hug:

insnurse · Jun 10, 2012

Thanks RubyVee! That's right, that's another thing - I really miss nurse interaction too!

OT is no problem at a hospital as I am mandatory OT every week minimum of 10 hours. Currently I have to check email all night long so my work days Mon-Fri are usually 16 hr days approximately. It is my day off, 6pm eating dinner and I just got called by my boss to work an urgent case if I could so it could be on the doctors desk first thing in the am. Sooo here I sit, more OT (I work at least a 60 hr work week as it is) and now this case and this case is a 45 day inpt stay. Will take me 3 hours to read a thousand pages of clinical and then type a review for each date of stay.:flamesonb This is for the birds.

I think I have made up my mind. Now hopefully 40 isn't too old to start in a department. :eek: