not wanting to do bedside nursing

[mhurn]

Hi I am new to this site and am looking for advice. I have been an rn for 12 years on a med/surg/ortho/neuro/telemetry floor. 5 years ago i went per diem there and took on another job as a psychiatric nurse. I have always done night shift in my med sure job as the pace and demands of days and 3-11 with admission/discharges, tests, families etc is too much. Do 2nd shift in psych as it is usually a bit slower. I recently hurt my back at both jobs go figure but the initial injury was at medsurg. recently in the state of ma where i live passed a law that we have to take every psych patient in er no exceptions. this has resulted in several dangerous patients and several workers comp issues from staff being assaulted so i feel this field has become to dangerous as I am a nurse alone with 7 patients and a therapist. I don't really want to go back to medical as the heavy lifting is killing my back. I unfortunately was diagnosed with a chronic condition 3 days after graduating nursing school. This gives me extreme fatigue and weakness so really would like something at a slower pace then bedside nursing or at least something that is not as physically involving and not putting me at risk to be seriously assaulted. I have my associate's degree but really don't want to got back for bsn as I am still paying big bucks on student loans from my associates degree. I am willing to go for some certifications or mini such trainings. Please any advice will be appreciated!

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Insurance companies (like Tufts, if you're in MA) have positions for nurses. They tend to look for BSNs, but with your experience it couldn't hurt to look.

I am curious though; what law passed (and when) in MA about having to accept all psych referrals?

[mhurn]

Department of mental health made it a requirement earlier this year and if not followed units can be fined or shut down. We have terrible staffing 1 nurse and 1 therapist for 7 patients. Both of us are female and to put in perspective i am 5'1 and 130 and i am this biggest of the staff. We have to take dangerous people often including criminals of very violent crimes while these people certainly may need help they should be sent somewhere more equipped and tailored to their needs. And of course the unpredictability of acutely psychotic patients.

[Chrispy11, ASN, RN]

Dialysis. No Sundays, major holidays or overnights. No major lifting. More standing than walking. No major meds.