Okay so I know that I may get a bunch of responses that I am not looking for with this post, but I wanted to get opinions about nursing jobs or specialties that are not extremely stressful. I am aware that nursing is a stressful profession and everyone experiences some deal of stress on any job, however I currently work in critical care which is downright physically and mentally exhausting. I am looking to move into a specialty that doesn't require so much physical labor as well as a slower pace, and patients with lower acuity.
I am not interested in Medical Surgical nursing, as I already tried that and did not enjoy it.
Be a nurse at a day care for disabled kids. Pass a few meds, give some tube feedings, occasionally suction a trache, fix a skinned knee, that sort of thing. Pay is generally low; comparable with a physician's office. Also consider working in a Juenile detention facility. That's a clinic setting and you are passing meds to basically healthy kids awaiting trial or transfer for juvenile delinquency. That environment may include State Health Benefit packages.
Specializes in Nursing Education, Research, ENT, Oncology.
How about clinical research? I have the office setting, yet see patients. I draw blood and insert IV's, administer injections, so I am able to maintain my clinical skills. I am on the phone frequently, and do a lot of documentation. But, I absolutely love it and will never go back to the hospital! :)
Wow. Many of you sound like you have great jobs in nursing that you really love. Thank you for sharing...that is very encouraging! Also thanks to those who gave feedback about the not so great issues that could occur in some of the areas others suggested. I know units can vary depending on location and your demographic area. Thus far all the jobs that were mentioned sound 100% better and less stressful than my job...but then again I guess the grass could always just appear to be greener. Anyone have any tips regarding changing specialties? Nowadays it's easier to get into areas where u already have experience.
:eek:"Psych" Nursing inpatient is extremely stressful involving sporatic physical take-downs of all age groups child to geri, psychotics out-of-control transporting to seclusion rooms, placing in restraints, coworkers who are not team players or scared of patients or "trying psych" i.e., without true desire to work in the field, and verbal abuse & staff splitting by patients to name a few regular stresses. Also paper work or computer documentation virtually never satisfies risk management. I like it and admit it is very stressful!! It's usually the med-surg nurses who do not work it daily that thinks it's easy or less stressful.
:smokin:The possible exceptions: outpatient psych (need a graduate degree most places), or night shift on a strictly voluntary, non-smoking psych unit.
Work full time in your current field in a large city hospital especially a Magnet hospital. The offers in other fields show a greater need. They already know your quality of care so it's not a big risk management gamble to ry you in another field. Also they usually have a novice, re-entry program or special preceptor programs that gives you free re-training in changing fields versus high expectations just because you are an experienced RN.
That's the bonus in nursing, finding your clinical niche that makes the experience mutually satisfying. A stressed-out, burnt-out nurse always transfers to patients negatively in the long run.
GO FOR IT!:anpom: ... Best of Luck to you !!!!!!!!!!
Specializes in Nursing Education, Research, ENT, Oncology.
Opportunity: when it knocks, answer it! I wasn't looking for a research job ten years ago. I had never heard of it. I was browsing the ads, saw it, applied and interviewed, and was hired. I have never looked back. Don't be afraid to go our of your comfort zone and try something new! You will thank me someday!
One other ez job: Nurse in a college Student Health Clinic, Flu Clinic Nurse--though the latter is a temp job, it doesn't get any easier than THAT!
To move to a different specialty w/o experience: Take a class or two related to the subject and make the most of same on your resume. No experience--be ready to preemt the question by saying, "Perhaps you are concerned that I have no experience in Entomological Nursing...did you realize that I took the CENCC course?
PACU. It requires critical thinking, and there are bursts of high intensity, but also opportunities to comfort,do all the warm fuzzie things. No ambulating, they don't need trays,andthey rarely poop! Our PACU gets the pts on vents and unit pts too,so you don't get rusty on skills. Some PACUs are way busier than others though. Good luck.
jhanes
62 Posts
Be a nurse at a day care for disabled kids. Pass a few meds, give some tube feedings, occasionally suction a trache, fix a skinned knee, that sort of thing. Pay is generally low; comparable with a physician's office. Also consider working in a Juenile detention facility. That's a clinic setting and you are passing meds to basically healthy kids awaiting trial or transfer for juvenile delinquency. That environment may include State Health Benefit packages.