Where can I find a Job outside of bedside nursing

[freeasabird]

Hi all,

I need some advice. I injured myself on the job in february and now am unable to do bedside nursing due to the amount of pain I'm in. I am in the workers comp system right now but am looking for how to get back working again doing something that doesn't require me to take significant amount of narcotics just to make it through a shift. This is the suggestion I received from the doc btw which is unsafe for my patients and also violates the nurse practice act. I was wondering if anyone knows of jobs available for nurses outside of direct patient care. I have applied with life plans and have an interview with them. I recently started a part-time job as a LVN clinical instructor making 19 dollars less per hour than I did in the hospital. I'm still recovering but extremely slow and don't know if I will ever fully recover so I'm trying to be proactive and find comparable employment to my full-time inpatient RN job. I've looked into case management, requires experience, I can't do home health because I've heard its very physical, frequent lifting pushing or pulling is no bueno for me. I'm working on my master's in nursing education but wont be done for two more years (I saw the writing on the wall after my injury and decided to enroll). Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I posted this in California because that is where I live now. I have almost 9 years of inpatient medsurg/cardiac/tele experience. Thanks in advance!

[Yosemite, RN, ASN, EMT-I]

Hmmmm, tough situation. I wish I had suggestions of promise but, due to the GLUT of nurses in the U.S., let alone California, most employers will not consider us unless we have RECENT/current experience in what ever specialty of nursing they're looking for. Case Management positions, if you can find one that doesn't require certification in that specialty is one idea. Flu shot clinics for temporary positions is a suggestion. Telephone triage may be a way to go, just be cautioned about the call time standards and customer satisfaction requirements that are mutually non-compatible. Disease state management is a thought. All have their pros and cons. All will have "catch 22's" that will make it difficult to endure, but we must do what we must do, eh?

Good luck in your search!

[zzbxdo]

I don't think case management requires much on top of your experience.. There are several new grads that go directly into it so its out there. Look into informatics/EMR ? You don't need your masters for it really if you're minimally savvy. Infection control is another thought. You should probably check out your hr and see what's available.

[RunBabyRN]

Be aware that most nurse education positions require you to work bedside nursing.

I do home infusions, which isn't particularly physical, and it might be something that works, depending on the nature of your injury. There are times I am bent over to start an IV, insert a port cath, or take VS, so these are considerations, but it's one option. I also do health screenings, which aren't particularly physical. I am sitting or standing most of the time, and taking vitals or getting blood from a finger stick.

I agree about telephone triage, too. Might be a good option.

[CaliLVN-RN]

What about going into dialysis and working in the clinics? That might be beneficial to you.