Has anyone started over? Meaning, have you gone from admin back to bedside? If so, how, and why, did you do the change? Did you feel like you were taking a step backwards?

I left management nursing for 5 years to work on myself. For the past two years I have done travel nursing and love it. I stay within my perimeters, work my 12hrs and give my patients the best care possible. When my shift is over, I don't have to worry about holes in my staffing schedule, who's going to fill them or what am I going to do. I don't have to feel bad about teaching or using words to get something across that I don't believe in. I don't have to wonder who has my back when something happen. No frustration and I am home every other weekend and holiday. Never once did I think or feel like I was taking a step backwards.

Yes I did. Leaving my admin role wasn't my choice (although I should have made it myself). My position was eliminated which left me without a job. It took me some time but I chose to go back to the bedside (Labor & Delivery) and was reminded how much I enjoyed just caring for my patient/s and leaving at the end of my shift . It was a huge relief not to worry about budgets, staffing, meetings, etc. I feel like some people thought it was a step backwards, but I didn't care what anyone thought. It was absolutely the best choice for me.

Yes I am actually making the decision to leave my management tole today. I will be putting in my notice when I return from maternity leave. I want to make more money and have flexibility. I will be working a PRN role for a nursing agency, getting paid more and don’t have to worry about management issues and can make my own schedule, don’t have to work weekends and holidays still, and can work less days which means I’m home with my kids more. Maybe down the road I will want to return to office type setting but for now the flexibility and pay increase and less stress i lbs what’s best for me and my family!

I've actually completely left nursing for ten years (a long time ago) , did teaching, library science and then decided to back into it, got a job in Rusk Institute and worked there for 5.5 years. Really good move for me.

Yes, I did, a couple of times. I went from inpatient ICU staff to outpatient admin for a few years. Got tired of the BS, went back to icu bedside nursing. After about 6 years there, I took an admin job in same icu I was staff in, did that for 21 years. Went back to staff on same unit for my last 2 years before retirement. Been working on cruise ships for the past 6 months, looking to take on a teaching job soon. I never felt like I was taking a step backwards, especially since it was on the same unit. Much easier that way, and since I started as a staff RN, I had credibility in both roles.

I did! I had a baby and after maternity leave was working70+ hours a week, flipping from nightshift to days. I was told to come in, my first day back after the baby for a mid night shift and kindly requested not to. I was reprimanded in the CNO’s office the next morning. The Lord made it clear that it was time for something else. I miss, terribly, being in management and being an advocate for nurses but thankful for the opportunity to pour in to my family more

Is never a step backwards, you are a nurse all the way, the difference is that by being in the office you may forget your skills, that made you a NURSE. Being on the floor refreshing your skills and remembering that the main purpose of the job you is to take care of patients, will bring you back to the realty of of your service. People forget their calls and roles very easily, Power corrupts, absolute power absolute corruption. Don't have to look to far, look at your politicians, why politicians? because they mandate the Health care business.

Yes, I took a big step backwards from CNO back to bedside ER. I had over 12 years leadership experience prior to being a nurse. I had turned down many leadership positions as I witnessed several times how the leader’s literally are set up for failure. A new company came into town and had a great visions. A friend begged me to help out. So against my better judgement I took the job for 3 years. While I learned a lot, everything in my life suffered. It was a smaller Hosptial that was new. My phone never stopped ringing didn’t matter what time of day or night. Schedule was brutal. I have only worked that hard one other time when I was in the military with 24/7 responsibilities. It was the best thing I did to step down. Almost cost me everything. It isn’t worth it.

I left being a nurse manager over Labor and delivery unit after 2.5 years. I worked at this hospital for 29 + years My job was “evolving” into manager over 2 more departments. I could barely staff labor and delivery and I did a lot of filling in due to short staffing. I was not compensated financially due to being salary. I mentally or physically could NOT do anymore. All relationships were strained to the max. I turned in my resignation and got an in-house contract at another hospital. The amount of stress is 80% less. I clock out now and I am done. Sometimes I really miss it. But I will have a stroke, heart attack, mental breakdown if I went back to the same scenario. Healthcare is just broken because staffing is strained everywhere.

Yes I managed a float pool and my team covered 15 hospitals and over 40 ancillary locations and provider offices. My position was eliminated and I wasn’t offered a role in the facility where I worked. So it wasn’t my choice. It has been a struggle because I loved being in leadership, however I am still a RN with MSN and had to realize my love for my profession and picked and started working as an RN again. So, no it wasn’t a step back. Just a comma at this stage of my career. I readjusted and kept it moving.

I recently left management and I am back to the bedside. I need work life balance. Management took to much away from my family and did not give me anything in return. I don't see it as a step backwards. I
have less stress and more time for my family. Potential to make more money because im not salary. Working 60+ hours/week and paid for 40 hours. Plus patient care is why I became a nurse.

I recently strep

I recently stepped down from an Administrator role at a multi-speciality outpatient surgery center. As I continued to progress in my career, I realized I was getting further and further away from why I became a nurse. I was not fulfilled in meeting financial targets, reducing cost in the P&L, navigating staffing and anesthesia issues,etc. It was constant stress and impacting my mental health and family. I want to go back to focusing on patient care and not the bottom line. I just started my search for a job that I can use my knowledge in a a role that will fulfill me and give meaning.

I am considering it but I feel it's a step backwards considering the progress I have made over the years.

Almost 5 years ago I decided to return to a staff nurse position. I was still doing a small amount of bedside nursing but my position as a supervisor was demanding more time at meetings and in my office on the computer. I didn't like who I was becoming, a person who dreaded her job. Administrative work is very important and necessary, but I realized that it wasn't my calling. Being a supervisor was a great opportunity, and I feel that I pull from that experience often as a staff nurse. I do not feel that returning to the bedside was a step backwards for me at all. The past 28 years in nursing have made me a better person, and every job has helped me build upon my knowledge. I also have to say that being in administration has humbled me, and I carry an even greater respect for my leaders because I've been in their shoes!

This is me right now! I have been director of nursing for 13 years and am so ready to go back to bedside. Just waiting for my replacement to graduate in May.
It certainly is not a step backwards in any negative way. It is a step towards living life and loving yourself. I want to make plans I don’t have to cancel on my days off! I want to be fully present in my life, my real life, without having to answer the phone all day and all night, maybe even watch a whole movie without fielding calls and scheduling. I’m ready to take great care of patients again, and go home tired but knowing I made a difference and gave it my best.

I have truly considered it many times!! I have been out of bedside for over 7 years and I'm very nervous about going back. But to be able to just go to work, do my job and come home would be so awesome! Definitely NOT a step backward. Just a life and career change.

I have done it several times. I always look at it as a way forward to my next journey in this profession. I also worked in clinical roles part-time while holding leadership roles. This provided experiences in both roles and gave me more perspective as I made decisions and advocated for my teams. This profession is rich in opportunities. When one door closes, keep walking forward through the next door. It’s not a step back to work clinically. It may be your richest experience. You can always change your mind and go back. Most nurses are willing to leave their jobs to try something new. We are never stuck. Keep going for as long as you can or want.

I just left a management role to go back to hourly nights. Even thou my hourly rate on salary was more it actually had cut my paycheck in half to be in management. Today is actually my first day back on hourly as a CNC in house night on call for angio and cath lab. I will also be doing stroke neuro check audits and responding to all codes, rapids, and stroke alerts. I’m excited!

worked as medical manager in free standing pain mgt clinic. Went back to bedside. I'm getting closer to retirement. Wanted less hours & less responsibility (no extra meetings, no evaluations, no budgets, etc) Loving it! I work full-time, 3 days/week.
Put in my time, do my best and don't have to spend more than my 36 hours.

Yes I did recently as my promotion took away the bedside of nursing and my passion for the way I felt that the facility should take their nurses to provide a high level of care. I definitely felt like a step backwards but looking for similar positions I realized that the opportunity is one that definitely is tough to find without traveling great distance

Yes and I love it I do both actually, the best decision ever

I will tell you that I made my move solely to have more time to care for my mother. In Upper management, I was on call 24/7, was physically in work 11-12 hours a day, and had about another 2-3 hours of work at home. I knew I was stepping back but family obligations were more important

Did bedside and PACU 10yrs then case management/quality 10yrs then now back to bedside. Loved CM until starting to basically work for free more and more. Never regret going back to bedside. Get paid for every minute you’re there, opportunity to pick up OT, able to take a vaca without taking too much if any PTO, and I missed placing IV’s. Was so excited when I placed my 1st one after 10yrs on the 1st try. Wanted to tell my patient so bad but then decided against since they’d probably be 2nd guessing any of my nursing skills/decisions.

I have done it. But doing 12 hour shifts was brutal on my 58 yr old body. I went back to supervision in case management now and work remote so its a trade off as far as not having as many days off and having some extra responsibility. Leaving the hospital setting for the first time in 35 years has been eye opening. Management in non hospital case management is quite less stressful than in the hospital. Pay is less too.

After 9 years as a float, I tried an admin job at an ALF for a year, my first salaried position. I was on- call 24/7 and at work 10+ hours a day… I loved working with my residents, but found work life balance was off amongst other things. Pay wise I am willing to take a cut to find better life balance. I don’t feel it’s a step backwards to start something new- or go back to something you once enjoyed! It’s just a change!
Best wishes!