Where to go after ER Nursing?

CRNA2007 · Sep 1, 2008

CRNA school is a natural stepping stone.

So I've been doing some long-term career thinking and have been trying to come up with a list of jobs/positions that might potentially interest me after having worked in a busy ER environment. I suspect that one day I will eventually get tired/bored/burned out, and would like to start at least thinking about other options out there. So, this is where I turn to you all......
So far some possible future career paths:
- Educator
- ER Manager
- Nurse Practitioner
- Paramedic
- Firefighter
- Flight/Transport Nursing
- ICU/CCU Nursing
- Disaster & Emergency Planning/Management
- International Disaster Response
I realize there are TONS of nursing specialties out there, but I'm looking for some ideas of jobs/positions that would be a part of the emergency world, but not necessarily nursing related. Any ideas??? What could YOU see yourself doing after working in the ER?

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 1, 2008

I went to a small OB unit where we do it all from PP to nursery to L&D.

It's a great balance for me - still have those emergent situations but not non stop.

Itshamrtym · Sep 1, 2008

How about ER case manager??????????????????? good luck!!!!!!!!!

NewRN12109 · Sep 1, 2008

I actually did things backwards. I was a medic and was stationed in the ER I did this for almost 5 years then went onto Nursing school and am now starting out on a med surg floor. I would say that if you still want the emergency end of it then do paramedic for a while or a flight nurse. Some of the best medical moments in my life and best things learned were as a medic. I am so glad I had those experiences. Good Luck

Iam46yearsold · Sep 2, 2008

I am thinking of becoming a lifeguard on the beach, or maybe a marshall on a golf course. But of course the easiest job of all and still get paid decently is to become a security guard.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 2, 2008

I worked a level one trauma center for 10 years, went back to school for an APN and now work in nephrology. Definitely not like the ER. I miss the ER so am starting a part time job as an APN in a community ER.

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2008

I miss the ER so am starting a part time job as an APN in a community ER.

"You can take the Nurse out of the ED, but you can't take the ED out of the Nurse"

cheers,

Pharma Nurse · Sep 25, 2008

Hi STACEY

I had the same problem. I was an ER Nurse for over 15 years and am now working with a Pharmaceutical company in Clinical trials. Several of my colleagues have gone on to pursue positions as a Nurse Manager or NP if that will help as a career path to take. It depends on what makes you happy. I found working in Clinical Trials to be less stressful and gives me a better quality of life. I found this job thru a recruiter who gave me great options. Try contacting pharmasourcenc.com ~ good luck.

allnurses Guide · Sep 26, 2008

You listed education, how about being the ED nurse educator?

wibobr · Sep 26, 2008

I personally was considering Occupational Health. Can't help but think that being a "plant nurse" with almost 20 years in EMS/ER would be a BIG plus (without the growing pain of the ER!)

flychick08 · Sep 26, 2008

hmmm...where to go after er nursing?!good question!!! i've been doing er nursing for 5 years and am starting to feel the "burn-out". i just started flight nursing and it seems like a very natural transition. ems stuff-100 mph with your hair on fire (the stuff we all like), but without the whiners that come in that have had left great toe pain for 6 months and now it's an emergency, or the "my doctor is out of town, but before he left he said you guys would fill my script for 100 80 mg oxycontin tabs that i take for my fibromyalgia" type of nonsense that makes er nursing so exasperating. it's critically ill pts, load-and-go....stabilization....drop off and report......minimal bedpan duty:yeah: