Are there any positions other than bedside where you get to use your clinical skills? I’m a Med/Surg nurse and I have been in the hospital setting for 4 years. I’m a bit burned out and wanted to find something that is not as stressful. Thanks!
I burned out in med/surg after 10 years. I left bedside and went into case management for a couple years but found I was missing using my skills and interacting with pts.
I now work in ambulatory surgery and LOVE it! Still get to work with pts, still get to use my nursing judgement/skills, but no holidays, no weekends, no hospital politics. It’s a perfect fit for me! Hope that helps. :)
First thing I would ask is why did you become a nurse. Where is your passion in nursing. Have you investigated what options or additional positions or training does the place where you work now. After exploring those questions you may have a more direct indication where you should go. But, to give you some options.
1. Home Health
2. Public Health Department
3. A Doctor's Office
4. School Nurse
5. Prison System
6. Travel Nursing
7. Cruise Ship
8. Case Management
9. Legal Nurse Consultant
10. Forensic
11. Teaching
Hope this helps.
Melinda C. Norwood BSN,RN,S.A.F.E
Melinda C.Norwood BSN,RN
Mental Health is a good field and less stressful
Yes u can serve ur people by doing work outside the hospital like in community as community health nurse ,in nursing management community as nursing director etc .
Hi, I’ve been in Occupational Health for the last 14 years. It is one of the best kept secrets. It is an area where you can use all of your clinical skills but yet have the autonomy to work outside of the hospital setting. I truly love it I wouldn’t do anything else now.
There is also IV Nurse therapy.
Oncology. Hospital and bedside is insane. Too political to stay the long term. Jeopardize your license daily in the hospital.. even with a union!
You could look at school nursing. Although hospital clinical skills is not really part of that, there are other skills that could be enhanced as part of being a nurse in the public education environment.
There are however, more medical issues that a lot of students have now that have to be monitored by the school nurse. For example, diabetes, adhd, mental health, sickle cell, G-tube feedings, etc .
There is great need in the school setting for good quality nurses that have some med surg and/or pediatric experience.
I don't know if anyone else suggested either ambulatory care (such as a surgery center or wound care center) or home care. I've done all of those and each one has challenged my clinical knowledge and was always interesting.
I would highly recommend working in an infusion center or cancer center. It can be a wonderful experience. Many nurses shy away because they think it is depressing- but it is an incredibly rewarding and impactful job and allows you to really get to know your patients and their families.
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Work as pre/post surgical nurse!! Or even better circulate in the OR at a surgery center where there's no call/weekends/nights/holidays. Literally the BEST job!
Casemanager, bed control, clinical nurse specialist, educator.
