What kind of Nurse does administrative work?

darlink · Apr 17, 2011

Look at going in to research.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 18, 2011

Nurses work in myriad areas besides patient care. In hospitals, nurses work in all aspects of quality/performance improvement, occupational health, risk management, case management, utilization and review, patient advocacy, educator, informatics, etc. etc.

If you intend to move beyond the bedside, it's important to start distinguishing yourself from your peers - through both your actions and attitude. Make sure that you are one of the first people that everyone thinks of when a new opportunity presents itself. The best way to get your foot in the door is to become involved in 'extra' activities such as committees that interact with these functions or departments. This may mean coming in on your day off for a meeting - but this is how you can make sure that you are more 'visible' to people who may give you your first opportunity.

Let your manager know you are interested in career growth - I am pretty certain he/she will have some tasks you can take on. Some positions have specific educational requirements. If you find an area you really lilke, go ahead and start preparing yourself to meet those qualifications.

Best of luck to you!!!

Delag5 · Apr 18, 2011

HouTx

Thanks for the confirmation that I am already doing the right thing. I am always the first person to attend any educational classes, ask for the next new challange and lead any pilot studies. I like to be challanged ! Thanks

CLUVRN, MSN, RN · Apr 19, 2011

I'm a nurse and I have a desk job at a upscale retirement community referring residents who have had a fall, a recent hospitalization, need wound care, or physical/occupational therapy to the medicare home health agency that I'm employed by. My employer leases the office from the retirement facility and I serve as the 'wellness coordinator'. My job is 80% paperwork/phones/email/fax and 20% nursing, simple tasks such as blood pressure/blood sugar checks, wound care for skin tears, a few med passes, and giving nursing advice. I don't wear scrubs as the administration frown on people looking 'medical' there; I get to dress in my best everyday. I truly enjoy my job! I have definitely found my niche in nursing and plan to stay in this job forever if I can!

Mommy TeleRN, RN · Apr 22, 2011

Totally agree with HouTX. NETWORK! Join committees, get to know people in other departments. Perhaps a procedural area would be a good next step for you? Not office, but something different anyway.

I just landed my first job away from bedside. I will be working in an office 8 hr days, salary, desk, computer. I have to beef up my non-scrubs wardrobe lol and will be doing some serious shoe shopping this weekend for cute heels! AND I didn't even have to take a paycut..something I was for sure would come with leaving bedside.

How did I land the job? I made myself a resource. My manager knew it. I have been on committees, applying for certification in my specialty. She has handpicked me for dealing with difficult patients/families, for specialized ICU core float staff, etc over the past few years. When HER boss asked for recommendations for this new position, my name came up and she told me about the position and encouraged me to apply. All the things I've accomplished in the past few years be doing my "extras" were great topics on my resume and in my interview. I was able to show I went above and beyond my basic staff nurse duties. And as a member of the float pool, I don't get raises for these things (all float get the same pay) so it would have been easy for me to just "do my job" because there was no financial incentive for my review. But it has paid off for me in brownie points :)

Mommy TeleRN, RN · Apr 22, 2011

Oh and to answer your actual question:

My job will be in performance improvement (doing data management for instance core measures compliance, but that is just part of it)

Other things: informatics (does your hospital have a computer charting committee you can join?), case management; educators (for instance doing new hire orientations to hospital, others may need a MSN);

You may have a hard time with just one year experience, but use this time to do that networking and get to know people who can help you advance.

00001 · Mar 27, 2013

Question directed to: CLUVLPN

Sorry for sending you a request out of no where ^_^; I'm new to the site and I'm not allowed to private message unless I have 15 topics in the forums. Anywho,I love the idea of nursing but I to don't want to be a floor nurse. I would rather have a desk job.I'd like to know (and I'm not that knowledgeable about college or what it works) but what degree did you earn,or program did you take as well as steps to become an office nurse? Do I still need to do the same amount of years as an RN? I wanted to join BMCC nursing program,but I'm unsure if this is the right track for the job you have.

spicyginab · Mar 20, 2017

First of all, I find some form of comfort in your question. I seem to be in a similar situation. I am still finishing school, but have realized from the beginning that I do not care for specific areas of nursing, while I fully enjoy others. I am too far into the program to change my mind. There are so many opportunities in the nursing field. I love reading all the suggestions and ideas for different jobs besides just bedside nursing.