What did you do to get to where you are rt now?

EmmaG, RN · Jan 17, 2008

I always wanted to do bedside nursing; you couldn't pay me enough to be a manager or administrator. When it's just me and the patients, I'm a happy camper.

Now physically, it's really taking its toll on me. If I leave the bedside, I'd probably go for something like infection control or patient/staff education.

Of course, there's always hitting the lottery :w00t:

Zookeeper3 · Jan 17, 2008

I knew in school I wanted to work ICU. I had to work psyc. and a long term vent unit to get experience enough to move with a relocation bonus. Picked the hospital that would put me in ICU purely on pay and bonuses and cost of living. Was quickly promoted (that new energy thing... I miss it)... did many forms of management in the ICU and precepting. Then I got burnt out from long hours of being kicked by both upper administration and the staff nurses. (I really could have done much better with a mentor and good people skill training:bugeyes:).

I went back to staffing in my unit... very hard for a manager to do. Loved it.. then did some ICU floating to everyone and the ER as well.

Plan? Who knows, i'll need one soon.. just starting to tire after 13 years. Clinical nurse specialist (MSN) would use my bedside teaching and my love of the ICU environment. So maybe

regrets... I missed many hours with my family that I'll never get back, BUT I have my priorities straight for the past several years and I try to pass that on to the newbies. I love my job, but I don't live it . I have a life and it's not in scrubs.

fultzymom · Jan 17, 2008

I am a MDS nurse in LTC. I never really figured that I would be an office nurse but it works well with my family schedule. I am off every weekend, holiday, ect. I have flex hours in case something comes up at home. I come in early so I can leave early so that I am home when the kiddies get home from school. My hubs has his own business so he has some flexibility but not as much as I do. And he is off every weekend, holiday, too, so we have plenty of family time. But one draw back: Working 5 days per week compared to my 3 12's. I do not like that.

TazziRN, RN · Jan 17, 2008

I went from school to the ER and thought I would stay there forever. When I lost my job last spring I realized I was burnt out and went into home health.

allnurses Guide · Jan 17, 2008

I think, that when I graduated nursing school I thought I would be a nurse for just a few years until, well, until something better came along I guess. :) It didn't fully hit me that I was probably gonna be a nurse for the long haul, and that it was probably meant to be that way.

Now I don't see myself really doing anything else, and I'm happy with that. I *AM* still trying to decide what my "niche" is though, after almost five years of being an RN. I'm now planning on probably going back to psych, but doing something a bit more interesting than working with just adults. Will probably work on a combo gero-psych/adult psych unit for a little while, and then eventually get a job working with children. Eventually I'd like to have my MSN; maybe as a Psych NP or a Psych CNS.

RNperdiem, RN · Jan 17, 2008

I'm not sure I understand edyrn, what you are asking?

Have you been a staff nurse for 10 years because you were satisfied with your work and position?

Or are you dissatisfied and in a rut?

What do you consider "advancing"? I'm guessing that to mean leaving bedside nursing.

Where do you want to go?

mianders, RN · Jan 17, 2008

I worked the EC for 12 years, and most of them I was working 4-12's, every other weekend and a lot of holidays. Then I was in a very bad wreck and had to re-evaluate my priorities. I changed over to infusion therapy and I love it. There are a lot of different ways you can go in nursing. Sometimes you change for personal reasons and sometimes because a great oppurtunity comes up. I would look at some of the oppurtunities in your facility or go to a job fair. It will give you a better idea of what is out there. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. :up:

rxrn · Jan 21, 2008

I'm not sure I understand edyrn, what you are asking?
Have you been a staff nurse for 10 years because you were satisfied with your work and position?
Or are you dissatisfied and in a rut?
What do you consider "advancing"? I'm guessing that to mean leaving bedside nursing.
Where do you want to go?

RNperdiem,im sorry if i have been so vague..i am a hospital nurse for 10 yrs now because i love the job..but i guess these bending,pulling,lifting are getting into me now..so im thinking i cant be doing these forever ..

i guess advancing for me would be lesser hands on /bedside nursing and more on like administrative,be incharge...but more satisfaction..

edyrn