Where are you happy?

[CaitlynRNBSN]

I've been thinking a lot, I've been a nurse for 2 years. I know it's not very long, but im getting burned out with bedside nursing. I don't understand how others do it any longer. It is tiring to be treated like I do day after day. The only thing holding me there right now is the pay is SO GOOD. I work for a top hospital, i'm not going to say because everybody knows it. I'm just really wanting to do something I actually enjoy and don't despise.

What are other peoples experience of leaving the bedside? Are you glad you did it? What other options are there that have the same pay, or similar?

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

I worked in progressive care for 2 years and decided to switch to ER. I couldn't be happier with my choice and I think it was the best decision I made. I was getting burnt out on the floor. There are a few things I miss, however, like the team I worked with (but my ER team is amazing, too) and I miss the aspect of actually seeing patients get better.

[CaitlynRNBSN]

In my experience, things that are done by UAP's are rarely done by nurses. Let me elaborate-

As a PCT in a hospital, I do blood glucose checks twice a shift or even more. At this point I have done countless BG checks. The nurses rarely do them because they are busy doing higher level tasks

In this case, the tech has much more experience doing BG checks than a nurse. The nurse educator at my hospital told me that she regularly see's nurses that have forgotten the protocol for this skill.

Does this extrapolate to giving injections? Probably not in a hospital, but in a Doc's Office? It's certainly possible.

Food for thought from the Devil's Advocate.

Blood sugar checks are one thing...but an injection? It's just my personal choice that I want a registered nurse administering it. It is acutally RN's that TEACH MAs how to administer injections (In my area anyway, they are the instructors). They are more knoweldable about the vaccine they are administering, the amount that can go into each muscle. I just prefer an RN to do that. I would be fine with a tech doing a blood sugar check because there is not much that can go wrong with that. But an injection is different.

It is just my own choice for my child. Nothing against MA or Techs.

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

I worked bedside nursing x1 yr and was not a big fan (working NOCs). Switched to home hospice 3 years ago and never looked back. I love my independence, ability to actually spend one on one time with pts/families, and I do enjoy driving from home to home because it gives me time to "wind down" until I see the next pt.

Just like anything else, some days are harder than others, that is for sure!

All the best! I hope you find your niche and that you are truly happy!

-Diane

[Little Panda RN, ASN, RN]

I am a medical review nurse for a CMS contractor. I have been doing this for a year now and I love my job. I still make RN wages without all the stress and my benefits are awesome. I recently tried floor nursing as a flextime job and it was not for me. I just do not like the chaos and stress.

There are many options open to you. Good luck with finding your perfect job!

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

Quick Answer: Home.

Love my time off!

Quick Recommendation: Don't overdo. You'll appreciate / enjoy wherever you are more.

[nursefrances, BSN, RN]

Outpatient ambulatory surgery center (eye surgeons). Love, love, LOVE my job.

A few reasons why:

-elective surgery: patients must have clearance before surgery (must be healthy enough to be there).

- No sitter patients. (I DON'T miss sitter patients)

- I have a patient for 15-30 minutes then I'm done and off to the next patient. ("Next please" )

- I still get to assess, critically think, time manage, start many IVs daily.

-No weekends, no holidays, no call.

-No code browns, no bed sores , no turn q 2hr/repositioning.

-I'm not on my own, if a patient's bp is elevated I walk 10 feet away and get an order from the anesthesiologist. No waiting forever to receive return call from a doc.

- I get my breaks and can go to the bathroom when needed. Everyday.

Yes, there are some things I don't miss about the hospital.