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

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:

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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