Which Nursing Jobs are the Least Stressful?

[LeLeeFNP]

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.

Thanks in advance for all of your opinions!

[lmuniz]

Public health nursing is much easier as well as working in a clinic. Also, working as a case manager or any job for that matter where your care is not a matter of life and death tends to be less stressful. I have worked in all areas including ICU and ED and they are the two hardest places of my entire career.

[LeLeeFNP]

you guys i have been applying to many of these areas that you suggested (PACU, post-partum, hospice, long term care, case management, teaching etc). Out of the places that I've heard back from I have encountered responses such as "we have identified other candidates whose experience are a better match" yada yada yada. I'm afraid that since all of my nursing experience is primarily acute/critical care that I am stuck in this field!

Nursing is nursing right? I thought nurses had the freedom to move around and try out different specialties. Any job wil have to provide training regardless so I don't understand what the big issue is. I am in school right now and thinking of going for my NP, but I don't want to have to wait 2 plus years to change jobs because i just can't imagine continuing to do this job for that much longer.

I know that it is going to take time to find the right position that fits me, but I am feeling discouraged by the responses that I have gotten thus far...

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

In better times, nurses DID have the freedom to move around and try different specialties. That was how I've been able to do all sorts of different things---ICU, postpartum, assisted living, management, and memory care in addition to more traditional bedside roles in acute care and nursing homes.

Unfortunately, this sour economy and an uncertain future with the Bush tax cuts expiring soon have made it necessary for most businesses, including health facilities, to hunker down and ride things out with the resources they have. I've been working for nearly 35 years, and have NEVER seen a worse time to try breaking out of a mold........Two years ago, I walked away from a $52,000 a year job and found another one before I went to bed that night; now, I'm beating myself to death in an LTC job that would be brutal even for someone half my age and size, just trying to get enough hours to put food on the table and pay my bills in the same month. The easy-come, easy-go jobs are long gone, and anyone who has a full-time position with benefits ought to count their blessings and do whatever they have to in order to hang onto it. It's really, really hard out here right now, and the good times aren't coming back for awhile. Sorry.

[whodatnurse]

BurntOutRN said:

Am I really reading right that your are 65 years old and still working?

:fnypst:

[nursedora]

The bottom line is, all of us have given experiences of area's that are least stressful for us, area's we've worked in, or are working in at present. All area's of nursing have their stressful moments, their drawbacks, and what is stressful for one, may not be stressful for another. So, spread your tiny wings and fly youngun'! Try other area's of nursing, and decide for yourself. Also, remember, that one shift over another may not be as stressful, however, may pose it's own stressors. It's those stressors that are the variable. What is your level of competency? Are you better with hoards of people breathing down your neck such as the case on a typical day shift, or are you comfortable with managing with limited suport staff, and some cases none, only your phone to call 911? For myself, I look at night shift as less stressful. I like home health because to me, it is less stressful, the stressors for those two area's for me? Night shift in nursing home is, limited support staff, you are, for the most part alone, you are fighting sleep if you don't do well working nights. However, if you handle emergencies well, then the advantages out wieght the stressors. Homehealth nursing, the bigest stressors I find there are scheduling, and dealing with the "turned tables" of going into a patients home, some things I see in the homes, make it hard to deal with, whereas in a hospital or nursing home, it's not acceptable. And there is a lot of driving involved with homehealth, unless you don't mind driving, it's something to deal with, and it's an added vehicle maintanance for the extra miles even when gas mileage is paid. I don't mind the driving, but am finding the increase maintanance is starting to get stressful, more visits to the mechanic than if you have a job where you travel a few miles, there , then home.

[nursel56]

ResearchNurseRNCCRC said:

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!

,

I'm not sure if this is exactly what you're talking about, but I had job for a while not under the "nurse" handlle specifically, worked as an assistant for a group of researchers (some MD some PhD) who worked at one of our UCs here and the VA nearby doing studies on the causes of Alzheimer's and it was both fun and fascinating. I helped them put their grant applications together and would be sent to find obscure journal articles in the medical library.

I observed nurses working with one researcher who would do the type of assessments you're talking about focussed on his particular study. Nurses would be used to interview people and take vitals for pharm company clinical trials which this group also was involved and paid well to do it by the pharm companies. You're right though, those jobs are not well known or advertised much in the general nursing community, and if I didn't know someone who worked there, I never would've known such a thing existed! Later I noticed some in the classifieds, but they were under the header of the university, not nursing, so it may be a good idea to check that section, too.

[regularRN]

I have never worked at a job that is not stressful... even being unemployed is stressful. All jobs have expectations that the employee has to deliver... even a fry chef. Contractors - who are their own bosses - also have stresses.

In terms of nursing... I would say out patients or doctor's office...

[neeka8]

Just wanted to let you know that working in an acute rehab hospital is not less stressful. This job is very different than, from what I hear, a few years ago. Some of the patients come straight from ICU. You have to worry about taking care of the patients, getting their meds passes before therapy, perform family educations along with trying to complete other tasks and take care of 8-12 patients while doing this. I would not second the opinion of the person that thinks this type nursing is less stressful.

[nursedora]

BurntoutRN, don't be so surprised to see people who are in their 60's or even older still working. There are many reasons why, for me, I'm planning to keep on working into my 70's, I have to, my long term financial budget doesn't allow me to retire any earlier. And yes, I do love my work. Just as I grow older, will be a little bit slower, won't be able to pull the 18 hour shifts back to back to back to back... I won't be able to lift and tug on the patients like I did when I was in my 20's and 30's. But, age does have it's advantages. See the multiple posts on older nurses going back to school etc.

[nursedora]

Wait a minute, you are only 28 and are burntout already? Yikes, what's it gonna be for you in 30 years?

[StarryEyed, RN]

When I was hired for my current job, my interviewer told me, "This is the easiest RN job you will ever have." I am an RN on the mobile units for blood drives. I don't draw blood because the donor specialists do that. Basically, law requires an RN be on board.

Sometimes I bag the blood though I usually hang out in the canteen area where donors must wait for 15 in case of a reaction. ALL the employees know how to deal w/reactions which so far have been limited to dizziness, hot flash, nausea. For the most part I meet very interesting people. People who have reactions are so thankful for being helped. Everyone is basically healthy (or they wouldn't be able to donate). It is also great to see how many people voluntary donate and help save someone else's life

[Watson2626]

Hi

Working for an insurance company is also a good option.

Watson2626