What am I qualified to do? OTHER THAN FLOOR NURSING!!

[Shackna13]

I recently completed my first year of nursing on a med/surg floor. I REALLY DISLIKE my job! I was a high school teacher for 12 years and decided that job wasn't hard enough (LOL) and got into something harder. I've found out that the lack of control in my days working on the floor really affect me. I just didn't factor in how much I needed to control my day...as a teacher i basically designed my days but as a nurse I'm at the whim of a call button pushing patient or assignment happy charge nurse! I just don't enjoy my days at work. I want to try other aspects of nursing but I really don't know what I may be qualified to do. I don't know what My 12 years teaching along with my limited 1+ year as an RN qualify me for. I really don't have a clue as to the types of jobs that are out there. Any help finding resources or suggestions/ recommendations would br really helpful. I have been considering teaching at a technical school or at a community college but the thought of staying on the floor for the 2-3 years it'll take me to get a masters just scare the hell outta me...

[MrsICURN14]

No advice but following this post! I'm curious too.

[NV Nurse]

Go back to teaching full time and work per diem as an RN... You can get you MSN if you want to teach nursing...

[mago8388]

You can be an RN educator. Find something you're passionate about like for example if Diabetes or Kidney disease or Cardiology interests you enough to want to teach people about it you can be an nurse educator at a hospital. Also you can get certified to be a Lactation consultant. Now they're in high demand because hospitals get reimbursed if they become "baby and mom friendly" and you get to teach women to properly breastfeeding feed and help babies. Or you can become a case manager either in a hospital or in a home care setting. Basically you get to plan people's health care and coordinate their care and usually is a Monday to Friday 9-5 job.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

Those codes are inconvenient,too

[tbaughm]

I agree with previous post...nurse educator would likely be a good fit for you.

[MommaJewelz]

Only thing about Lactation Consulting - they want you to have quite a bit of OB nursing experience, hands on lactation counseling. I'm working on it now and have many years of experience in L&D. Not easy getting into OB to say the least and I'm actually wanting out!

I would suggest nurse educator as well. Good luck!

[Shackna13]

I'm a man so not so sure about male lactation consulting...lol

[AJJKRN]

Check out WGU and other distance learning schools (that are creditable). It shouldn't take a couple of years to get a MSN in education or leadership with all of the reputable and available educational avenues out there.

I'm personally looking at WGU in getting my MSN in leadership this year. Good luck to you!

[mago8388]

Didn't know you were a guy lol...I guess a male Lactation consultant would be a little weird. Can't imagine a man teaching me how to get my newborn to latch and how to deal with breas engorgement.

[ATX77]

Didn't know you were a guy lol...I guess a male Lactation consultant would be a little weird. Can't imagine a man teaching me how to get my newborn to latch and how to deal with breas engorgement.

I'm a male BSN student finishing up my maternity rotation and I showed women how to initiate breast feeding a couple of times this semester. A male peer of mine acted as a lactation consulting for a mother as well. Just because you can't imagine it doesn't mean it shouldn't or can't happen. Good Luck to the OP!

[mago8388]

I'm sure it can happen but I don't see a lot of women feeling comfortable with it. Especially the population that's not very educated. I'm sure a man can study the subject just like a woman can become an expert in prostate and urology issues. However I have never seen a male Lactation consultant. I'm not saying it shouldn't happen just saying is not the norm.