Would like help choosing new area of nursing

Posts: 17 · Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Posts: 17 Location: newtown square

Hello Nurses,
I am currently in a dilemma, trying to choose a new area of nursing. I have med-surg nursing experience and rehab. I recently became a case manager and do not like administrative work.I miss patient care. Unfortunately, I did not feel that I was able to give patients the kind of care they deserved in the hospital setting due to the amount of work I had (same problem all hospital nurses have). ANyway, I am torn between trying home care (visiting nurse), hospice, or maybe psych nursing. I am interested in psych nursing but I have had no acute psych experience although I have worked with TBI patients who are quite behavioral. I have also thought about working for an agency where I may get exposure to various types of nursing and then decide. I am afraid that I will get little training at each facility as an agency nurse though, and this will stress me out. I'm sure there are others who have been in this position. I would love to hear the pros and cons of all options.
Thanks! Louanne

Posts: 3 · Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Denver

Louanne: I also have a Med/Surg/Telemetry and oncology background. Recently, I left hospital nursing to go into long-term care and management. I miss the floor work too. I have considered travel nursing, just haven't tried it yet. Keep looking at the job postings in your area, you'll be suprised, something might come up. I recently took a tour of a surgical unit and found it suprisingly interesting! And I found out about it online. Keep an open mind, nursing is such a great open field Smile

slc

Posts: 2 · Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 2 Location: San Diego, Ca.

I had a similar experience some years ago. I started my nursing career in ICU/CCU, then M/S and wanted a change after 7 years. I opted for an agency which I did for one year. It was not much fun, I did not feel welcome by peers and was usually referred to as "the agency nurse", I was given the most difficult case load and not offered any help. I did make big bucks (over $89,000.) that year but was very exhausted and missed comaraderie and friendship by my peers. The next year I signed on with Visiting Nurse and Hospice and worked there for the next 12 years. I absolutly loved it and think I could never work for an institution again. I have not worked as an RN for more than 4 years now and am doing other things and enjoying life. I wish you the best and would encourage any nurse in trying home health. It was the most rewarding for me. Rhonda

Posts: 2 · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 2

I agree with what some of the other people are saying about travel nursing and the assignments you recieve however, I don't know your situation but if you are able to do it give it a try.....you only live once! If anything it will "season" you well. Many of the places you travel to do give you the "crappier" assignments but a lot of it depends on the attitude you go into it with. If you go into it with a good attitude and are nice and friendly to your co-workers they will in turn be the same to you. And yea - the money is incredible!

Posts: 17 · Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Posts: 17 Location: newtown square

Thank you to those who replied to my plea for advice. I am leaning towards home health but I continue to explore other options. I think the advice will be helpful to others as I think this issue comes up in many of our lives. To those of you who haven't responded, please take a minute to drop me a few lines. It is much appreciated!!

Posts: 8 · Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Jacksonville, FL

Wow, I read your comment/question and thought that I had written it! I am currently a rehab nurse and just started working in an acute care hospital on the med/surg floor. After my first days as a med/surg nurse I thought that maybe I wanted to be a case manager. I am still trying to find my niche.

I can tell you that I plan to move to D.C. in May and have decided to do travel nursing through Access Nurses. Most travel agencies that I have spoke with informed me that 1 year of experience is required. For example, if I wanted to travel as an ICU nurse I would have to have 1 year of experience in ICU.

To find your niche I would recommend reflecting. What area did you enjoy in nursing school? Peds, OR, ICU, CCU, Cath lab, LD. Maybe you are suited for an outpatient clinic. A fellow nurse who now works Mon-Fri 8-4 at a dermatologist office.

Good luck

Also, if you do decide to do travel nursing or if you have questions about traveling I recommend my recruiter Jessica Nesbitt. Her phone number is 866-687-7390