What will you do after floor nursing?

[Blouis, APRN]

I have been doing some self reflecting and I cannot see myself doing stressful floor nursing 20 years from now. I work with several nurses over 55 who often talk about the lengthy shifts, aching knees and backs, and the toll it takes changing patients and doing dressings. Most only have an associates (as do I) and cannot take the paycut of school nursing (I certainly cannot, I tried school nursing). I thought about certifications such as med/surg or oncology. I am working on tele training and will take ACLS soon.

I am in my 30s now and I am thinking about where do I want to be after this phase of my career is over. What can I do now to get there. Student loans are expensive and a BSN does not guarantee office work.

For those with an LPN or ADN degree, where do you see yourself years from now and what are you doing to get there? Those with a BSN where do you hope to see yourself in a few years?

[mom and nurse]

Not sure if I count. I did floor nursing after getting a BSN then due to the stress, etc. went back to school part time to an adult nurse practitioner program where the first two or three classes were online. I continued working.....though I eventually had to cut my hours back when I had to do the face to face classes and the clinicals. It took me about 2 and 1/2 years for the Adult NP program. Some people have scholarships through their universities which allow them to go to grad school for free or less though they have to work as nursing school instructors for a year or so after they graduate. When things would be stressful at work I'd realize I was working towards a goal. I have now been an NP for about 2 and 1/2 years and am glad I went back to school...

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

I have no desire to be a np....but i do have my bsn.... i see myself working as a case manager . If i went back to school i think it would be get my msn and work in pt education or at a community college ect.... I love working with people but i want to have a day job eventually.

[heartnursern]

There is an alternative to floor...teaching

[MBrnbsnmha/ed]

Hello,

I do self reflecting also and pondered many of the issues you write about. I went to school to get my MHA/Ed and completed it within the last month. I feel self gratified I will remain in the ICU until the right opportunity arises. However, now that I have an advanced degree the world is my oyster and no one can take your education away from you. Yes, the loans were expensive its an investment in myself to better myself and family. So i dont ponder about the loans, with some things you have to spend money to earn money.

[kesr]

I can tell you what I did - Clinical Research.

[QT3.14RNinCA]

Kesr....How did you get into Clinical Research? What background are they looking for to enter that field after floor nursing?

[Blouis, APRN]

research, now that sounds interesting...

[0402]

I would love to move out into public health.

[DC Collins, ASN]

All of the above are good possibilities. I am 49 now and just starting my nursing career in the ED. I think, think mind you, that I might eventually like to end my career as a CRNA.

I would still be working with the patients, talking to them, educating them, making them feel better, but I won't have the whole heavy-duty 'floor experience' for my future aching back, knees, and feet to deal with, lol.

And, I never want to stop learning, so working through to my BSN, then Masters, and then *all those drugs*, I will have plenty to keep my mind active.

DC :)

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

I'm going into psych and counselling, doing extra study in that area now.

I have 25 years experience working in all areas of hospitals (except with kids), so I'm not worried, I will get other employment if I need it.

[aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN]

I will have my MSN in either NNP, PNP, or FNP or maybe all three! I think I would like to do primary care eventually. I think.