Greetings.
As an RN for 43 years, I am so proud and grateful for my work as a nurse. After my first 3 years I was either going into Critical Care or begin an administrative role. After much thought, I felt I would make a greater impact by shaping the environment patients receive care and for those providing that care. As such I had the opportunity to lead many teams in diverse settings. My last position was CEO of a level 1 trauma center for adults and pediatrics. I learned that I traded my bedside skills for leadership skills of which went hand in hand over my incredible career.
Initially I really missed my patients. I also had a hard time giving up my “expertise” ie ACLS and being comfortable in emergencies. I have absolutely no regrets, but still 12 years later, I miss the 1:1 interactions with my patients and making an individual impact on them- meeting their needs. However, I love what I do (quality and peer review) so it’s all good
I regret not doing it as a side job to keep my skills updated. I'm trying to get back now for family reasons and it's so hard getting a job.
All the reason we need to do better in clinical nursing, the profession hasn't learned yet.
If I had to do it again or suggest to nurses behind me, don't completely leave clinical setting, keep it as PRN.
I enjoyed bedside nursing in the beginning of my career but decided to move on for my Masters in Education which I also enjoyed. Retired after 35 yrs of nursing. I do miss both except I’m glad to be out since healthcare has changed drastically since government,pharmaceutical and COVID has taken control.
No not at all. I was tired of pushing meds and thought more about what I could do with preventative education and talking and spending more quality time with patients. I worked in a prison, Hospice, detox and psych which I never thought I would do and love it the most. For me I love outpatient work. Meeting with patients where they renin their homes and community, I was able to lead groups I loved and teach them about their health and do meditation and and Tai Chi with them. I love giving them experiences they never would have had.
I miss bedside nursing but I do not regret leaving. The acuity of the patients are higher and patient/nurse ratios are higher. Not safe for staff or patients.
HELL NO!!!!
Mine is a yes, but only because of specific goals I was aiming to achieve and the cost behind trying to get back to the bedside. Bedside nursing is great to keep your skills updated. If I could go back, I would have just always stayed PRN and done other things like I have currently.
I do both IT for the EMR and part-time nursing. I am currently completing a RN refresher course because they won’t hire me being out of bedside for so long (>10 yrs). The pay can be better depending on where you are and what type of role you are seeking. I prefer outpatient nursing, but I also love healthcare technology and you can’t be both during business hours. So, if you know what you want, do what feels right. I didn’t at the time and wasn’t really feeling good about that decision and live in regret, but ultimately I will still get to go back PRN. Also, I can either decide to work full-time or contract for IT too. I love nursing for it’s versatility. I have done hospice, outpatient, corrections, clinical informatics, and management. Outpatient was my favorite by far. Good luck on your decision.
NO! Have not regretted any of my jobs. Loved the office setting. Could really get to know patients on a more personal level. 10 years of ICU followed by 25 years of office. Only left office because solo practitioner passed away and office closed. Wrapped up last 10years doing Wellness/Pt. Education
Nope
I don't regret leaving the bedside at all. And I actually hope that more nurses get to experience work outside of the hospital setting. I went from Critical Care to Infusion nursing to Oncology and now an OB/GYN clinic. It was important to me to still have hands-on experience vs 100% phone triage. All of these roles have given me that opportunity to stay face-to-face with patients and I really love it. It has been such a blessing for my family and for my work-life balance. I truly don't think I could ever go back to the hospital setting and hours. No regrets here! Hope you find what is best for you! :)
Not at all. I hated bedside nursing when I was a bedside nurse. I would never go back to the bedside nursing.
Not even a little bit. Love my management position.
Nono i am thankful nursing has many specialties and job security
I had the incredible experience in training in the Military, at some stage I had to leave bedside nursing due to deployments. But caught up again in Saudi Heama/ Oncology department. As a nursing supervisor, another world opened for me. I don't regret walking the road experienced. Just miss the close contact and chats..
Not at all. I was really please with my roles as Supervisor, Manager and Director. I liked dealing with people.
I did beside nursing immediately after serving active duty and a USAF field medical service specialist and challenging and obtaining my LVN license. I quickly learned that hospital nursing was mainly for the neglected population that didn’t receive routine encounters nor have any preventative screening. I started working for an IPA (provider network) and learned about managed care. Then was lucky enough to get hired by Molina HP as they developed their networks. I obtained my RN in 1 year since I was able to bridge into the final year of a 2 year ADN at a community college. Anyway, I’m working and co-own a professional corporation that trains and transitions practices the adopt technology with telemedicine programs such as RPM and CCM. I don’t regret leaving the beside and growing up with Managed Care.
I really don’t enjoy med surg bedside nursing I have been hit by several patients already and verbally abused by others.
Sometimes. I left the bedside full time in 2007 due to my health. I went into case management. I still worked one or two registry shifts per month. It kept my skills up and gave me street cred with the bedside nurses and MD. Also, the extra money.
In 2018 I took a management position and was on 24/7 call so I let my my registry slip.
When the pandemic hit, I felt so guilty. I should be out there in the trenches instead of pushing paper in an office.
Last fall, I was laid off. For the first time in 25 years I didn't have a job! I had always worked 2 jobs so I had a fall back when things happen.
I regret letting go of my ER skills. But have way to get them back without leaving leadership and going back full time.
No, I was a Home Health Nurse and loved it
I've been a nurse for 45 years, and cannot imagine doing anything I love more. However, there have been times where the stress was so high due to moral distress and insufficient staffing that I changed around regarding roles within nursing. I was a clinical nurse focused mainly in Critical Care and ED/ trauma, became the IV 'ringer" wherever I worked, took jobs in open heart CSU, ICU, CCU, Ambulatory Care settings, Pretesting, and ED/Trauma. I became a Legal Nurse Consultant, manager, director, and then got an MBA and went into revenue integrity.
There's so much you can do as a nurse, particularly for a BSN. If you don't like where you are, look around. You'll find something you like better, and if you don't, you have something more to add your resume. It all makes you more valuable. Stay a year in any job though, because that demonstrates some staying power
I do not regret leaving bedside nursing. I got a job, the i same hospital in administration.
I do not regret leaving my bedside role. I have gained so much knowledge from my Clinical Informatics role and have grown professionally.
No. Being away from the bedside allows more time to really hear what people are saying to you. Which allows a different interaction where patients begin to take more self ownership.
I have over 30 years in various nursing capacities.
