What jobs would be good to look into for a burned out nurse? I'm really questioning if it's time to leave nursing completely or if I will eventually be able to return.
Following this post because I too am struggling with this right now!
Check out something like interventional radiology, cath lab, or endoscopy. The areas are less about “patient care” and more heavily focused on procedures. Getting them in and out.
I work in the operating room and have found it to be very rewarding. It’s not as easy to burnout there because our time with each patient isn’t as drawn out. My patients are typically stable when I drop them off at PACU, so it’s easy to leave work at work. I work three 12 hour shifts weekly, no weekends, and one holiday per year. I also make a pretty fair wage. Some people say you lose skills there, but I do a lot in the OR. I start lots of IVs, insert foleys, positioning, and have the option to scrub. I also work closely with CRNAs who are happy to teach and let me assist with skills!
I just applied for a job taking pictures for Shutterfly in preschools! Fun! That's a $30/hrs pay cut for some much needed peace and happiness.
I’m seriously considering working at Michael’s. I ‘m feeling so done with nursing, the bullying, and young nurses that are lazy and have no morals, values, integrity, and blatantly admit they went into nursing for the money. After 34 years… it’s gotten pitiful.
HEDIS jobs which are completely remote! That’s the direction I am heading in myself.
I was feeling the same way. I went into travel nursing and all the politics disappeared, I was in control, and I've never been better. It really depends what is troubling you. For me it was the unit politics. If it's the hours, there are lots of jobs that specify 9-5 like school, clinics, and offices. I don't know what your complaint is but, I suggest you distill it down to a specific list. Then look at areas that don't have those parts as a rule. For example, if it's the other jerk nurses, corrections, school, poison control, get your MSN and teach, public health, or whatever. If it's the hours, different strategy. If it's the commute, different strategy. But it really depends what you are trying to escape from. I'm in acute dialysis now. The technical nature and independence of the job are amazing. But again, it really depends what specifically it is you hate about your situation.
I am in this same struggle. I am very burned out.
I have been a nurse for 30 years and now leave work most shifts feeling completed depleted and unsatisfied. I want out and feel stuck.
I I too am following this post. I’ve been an Operating Room RN and worked in Home Health.
The staff in the OR act like Predators and”Mean Girls”!!!!
I’m over it!
Try a nurse navigator, case manager, Coordinator- transplant, or utilization review. Many have work from home options. I have done IR, cath lab and procedural.. stepped to insurance utilization review, then case management and now looking at nurse navigator positions.
My healing burned out phase is hospice. In this arena of care for the terminally ill patients, you take care of one patient and their entire social support system. The biggest lesson I learned is how to use coping mechanisms in varying pitfalls our profession sling at us. Then I am ready to go back in administrator role with new perspective. Taking a break within the profession gives me a wider area of expertise to draw into. Work part time in your current position and find a per diem you are interested to explore. We are in a profession that has limitless opportunities. Just keep looking.
How about working for an health insurance company, utilization management, education, there are opportunities for you out there. Just do some google searching, etc. Best of luck!!
I am in the exact place right now too. Just been at a stand still now knowing where to go from here.
As a recent NP grad, I have looked into a lot of per diem or part time jobs as a RN to pay tuition. I would say working at assisted living is definitely a lot less stressful and more community focused. Also try flu/covid booster clinics as temp jobs, even though it may only be for a while they pay quite well. Maybe taking a step back from bed side nursing to explore other options in nursing for a while could be something good for a burned-out nurse?
Traveling nursing. Take a friend with you or go out there yourself. Some nurses take their kids and it’s like a 3 month vacation and your getting paid. Living in Hawaii for one year was my favorite. I met my lovely second husband on a travel assignment. We have been married for 18 years. Never regret doing traveling nursing.
School nursing because it's ten months; no weekends; no holidays; no overtime; no bad weather.
Look into home infusions. I work with two companies as an independent contractor and it’s a really low stress job. My companies are Infusion of Care and Wnliven Home Infusion Specialist. Infusion of Care pays well but they do require 5 years of critical care which can be ED, ICU, PACU, Cath Lab, etc.
Same here! I wonder if its just bedside nursing, working in the same place too long, or the profession altogether.
Following
Find a job as a research nurse coordinator. Very rewarding. Good hours. I moved to this 25+ years ago and so happy I did.
After 10 years of bedside I decided to become a school nurse, it’s been incredibly rewarding. It’s very autonomous- no one looking over your shoulder- you are the trusted medical expert for your building/buildings.
This is so me right now. Following to see if anyone has good answers to this
Telephone Triage. With many organizations you can work from home. I've worked with telephone triage for 23 years now. During the pandemic our positions were moved home. We never went back. It is a position in which you use every bit of nursing experience you've accumulated. My position includes triaging everything from peds to specialty. Best job ever. I'm using every year of my 47 years of nursing experience. could have retired 2 years ago - still working full time.
Try an infusion job. Low stress and patient’s really appreciate you😊
Look into hospice. Old school nursing. No call lights, no rushing to see next Pt. Able to sit and talk with pts and/or families. Back to pt care and teaching and so positive on most parts. Not huge bucks but a great healthy mind reset.
I reluctantly got hired in home health. Once you kiss a few frogs, meaning crappy corporate or franchise agencies that treat you like a number, i found a great agency in so cal. I loved working my own schedule and got paid very well. Now i moved to the south, the work is very fulfilling but the pay is low. But it beats a 12 hour shift where you drive home hungry, thirsty and frustrated because you had very little time with your patients to feel you made a difference.
Try research nursing at one of the big university hospitals. Still have patient contact but none of the drudgery. Run clinical trials for a specialized group of patients, like oncology or neurology. Can be very satisfying and no weekends, nights etc.
Following….new management came aboard and too corporate now. Feel like I’m being micromanaged and “stalked” my every move. Might be my time to move on after 4 years here. I don’t want to sit at a computer all day long, I’m interested in hospice but no experience, I need one on one patient experience, and I’ll never go back to working in an institution. I’ll continue to look—only have about 7-8 years til retirement.
Take a “gap year”, “sabbatical” or extended
time away from the bedside if you can afford to; I did for 8 months and had the same thoughts you did. You’re not alone feeling this way. I can empathize. I was a hull of a nurse june 2022. Focus on you. It can get better once you heal your own spirit first.
So how to find something better…
I applied for a flex shift (per diem) position at the rural hospital in my city and started this week. Feels so much better. Energy is palpably better! I also onboarded with careRev (workforce app) and will do orientation next week at another health system. Note that careRev took nearly 5 months to onboard due to a low supply of orientation classes, so start that process early.
You will heal and recover so long as you invest in yourself. You deserve it!
I’m adding a second career to my resume. My feet gave up!
Infusions!!!! It’s a lovely gig. Just the right balance of outpatient chill vibes but not outpatient boring :)
Its a good opportunity to explore alternative healing practices. If it applies to your nursing, certificates in Art therapy, Alternative Medicine, Meditation, Yoga, or many other interests can spark your own creativity and that of others.
I had to leave inpatient bedside due to a health diagnosis and I am glad I was "forced" into it because I was more burned out than I realized. I currently work for an infusion company and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I teach patients how to manage their own TPN at home and provide their weekly dressing changes and labs, IVIG, infusions for UC/Crohns, MS and other conditions but those are our big ones. We also provide education/care/support for those being sent home on IV antibiotics via a CVAD. I do not do chemotherapy.
Travel Nurse might be a position to consider. You decide how long you stay at the assignment.
Holy schmoly!!!! I am dealing with this dilemma right now like you cannot believe. In my quest for what do I really want and also like I have discovered some things about the market. I needed a professional. Isolating or teasing out transferable skills to another market, really is not as easy as it seems. Have you hung out on Linkdin lately? Woe. You will read other peoples stories, learn things, but for me I was like if a Cyber Security guy with boatloads of certs and degrees is on the verge of tears bc how tough the market is. I have to admit I was a tad discouraged and afraid. AT the same time filled with dread of the thought of going back to the snake pit. But I dont have a choice right now. I am solely self supporting. I have accepted a position just this week with a company that came hard for me in a really good way. The same week I also was told I wasn't the right candidate for another position. But this is what I learned from a formidable female professional on a chat on Linkdin---at the same time she was being interviewed she was also interviewing the person on the other side of the desk. I thought this was brilliant idea. So I did. When the CEO of this company turned me down, I did something I never thought I would have the courage to do. I emailed him back and thanked him for saving me from another bad work experience, and stated you werent the right CEO for me.
Try Home Health or Occupational Health. I've been through burnout 3 times in my 26 years career and those two specialties were the least stressful while still being rewarding and interesting. If you are just looking for something you can do on auto pilot, consider working in a travel med clinic giving travel shots to happy well people.
School nursing.
I love it. Especially a private school with international population. Same pay as hospital nursing (not spectacular but competitive) and discounted private education for my 4 sons. Tuition remission alone is $40k per kid they are giving me in that benefit alone.
Plus I teach health to 9th grade. No education degree required when working in private schools.
I’m getting certified as a full stack developer and looking for a PRN gig to sustain me until I’m confident enough to interview for a tech job. I hope you find what sparks your interest.
When I got burnt out I got my certification in Legal Nurse consultation. I got a remote job and worked with a law firm out of Cleveland, Ohio. Making good money too. It's growing business. If you're good at it you can start your own business. I spent several years on that then missed nursing and went back. I'm a traveler now.
I recently went back to work as an IV Therapy/injections/Weight loss RN part time at a local rejuvenation center, I am now a Certified IV Therapy nurse and there are no requirements for flu shots (which I never got, they can keep their aluminum and other toxins), or any other "jabs" and since I have multiple chronic conditions and chronic pain I have my Medical marijuana card and I won't be drug tested! I'm a very holistic person and am now in a holistic setting - find your tribe, your passion and you'll be happy in nursing.
Quality Management Chart reviews and chart abstraction for medical outcomes. No patient contact and learn why compliance is so important for the hospital.
14+ years in a level 1 trauma center ED, then came covid I was fried. Left and went to pediatric PACU ( no call, no weekends, minimal holidays) and it was just what I needed. One of my co workers said "this is the easiest job I've ever had and I've worked at Subway" haha. Love the kiddos, we have lots of frequent procedure kiddos we get to know, the parents are thankful for the most part, a lot of fentanyl and popsicles, the occasional "oh shit" moment to get your adrenaline going to appease that ER nurse background, good co workers and low stress. It may not be my forever job or where I finish my career but just what I needed.
I went outpatient. It may take you some time to find which specialty you prefer, but the jobs are out there. If you are done with direct patient care, there are more telephone/telecommute jobs available since covid. I know a few nurses who took the huge pay cut in order to find sanity and work-life balance by working in community health (school nurse, public health department). I myself found relief in outpatient pediatric cardiology, first in clinic, and then telephone triage where I could telecommute from anywhere. The jobs are out there, but you may have to compromise a little to get what you want.
Dialysis is a good change from in patient care. some hours are 4-10's some are 3-12's Most clinics are closed on Sundays.
The direction sickcare (no such thing as healthcare in these hospitals) is going, I’m burnt out. I see the shadiness of the management and greed of the doctors and the pettiness of the nurses pocket watching. The patient and family entitled behavior where they can make a lie and management does everything to keep them happy even though they are rude and attacked you.
Nurses throwing each other under the bus and they keep piling more work for the floor nurse to do because of the mistake of others. I’m taking one more assignment but working towards leaving the sick are field all together. The only areas I can think of is the specialty areas Cath Lab, OR, PACU, Endoscopy or doctor’s office.
I love working in the operating room. I was extremely burnt out on the floor and the OR is so much better
Try looking into the insurance companies. I started with Anthem 5 years ago and never looked back. There are tons of remote UR and case management jobs, you just have to know where to look.
Please to not do corporate nursing unless you are willing to TOW a line and become a robot. They have their P&P and you better not deviate from it, and , you better hit those matrix numbers. It is all about appearances to a client/company to them. They pay well, you can work from home. Then your family and friends will think work from home means work like you want to and ask you to do all sorts of things for them during your working hours.
Transplant team.... you're taking a bad situation and making a miracle for someone. Your nurse to patient ratio won't change, either
Guys do you realize how many of us are smoked, burned out, toast but I really think more than anything for me....you know what I am not really sure. One thing happened on a Law Tube chat as the verdict in the Maya case was being read...literally hundreds of nurses started to post about how it was about time that the BeAch club finally was exposed, and how newly empowered some of them felt. I had never seen nurses come together like that more or less in that kinda of volume. Its like they were all quietly watching from the sidelines, waiting for the verdict and then deciding whether they were going to take the chance and speak up. It was shocking, impressive, encouraging and a really really really long time coming. I cried. I thought about all the times I had been rejected, gossiped about, left to hang out to dry...I felt a small amount of restitution and relief. For the first time ever there were more of me out there than them!
I started traveling after feeling so burned out from hospital environments. I won’t say the work is cake but there is always a city to explore and you can design sone looooong vacation time at your budgets allowance. Anybody can stick a job for 13 wks. And with the exploration of new places you might find one that is a nice fit for you.😁
Sometimes it's easier stepping away from bedside for a while.
1. Case management could be a good fit.
2. Tele-triage
3. Surgery -just deal with other professionals
4. School nurse
5. Teaching nursing students or high school students
I’m right there with you too! So tired of the political games.
Jobs like out patient dept ,radiology or health education is favourable
I want to know the answer to this as well. 27 years and I am wondering the same thing
I went into home care with Nuclear Care Partners after dying for a year on a tele unit. I am 2 years in to my nursing career. Hospital does NOT fit me! A few hours in a patients home helping out and I am never stressed just connecting with my patient. That’s what fits for me anyways. Sometimes I get to go outside and water their garden. Sure beats 12 hour night shift in the hospital. Good luck finding your fit.
I just applied to the international brotherhood of electrical workers. A female told me she zipties wires to the back of something for 8 hours a day. 6 hours she’s paid 40$ and the last two 60$ and hour. After all the stress and mindless scatter my brain has exposed too, just zoning out giving my 100% to those zip ties who do not have any alarms of requests or outcomes, labs or needs but to get to the back of another inanimate object when I get to it. Sounds amazing. It’s union. Full benefits. Medical, dental and vision. I fully understand danger as we dealt with electric in human beings. We are not dumb, it’s not overly labor intensive. You can get an apprenticeship and become a master electrician. Earning big big dollars. Electric is everywhere and isn’t going anywhere
I retired & now side gig with Instacart 1-2 days a week (4-6hrs at a time) love watching the seasons change & driving to different neighborhoods with limited interaction with the public …..🧎🏾♀️🎊
I left the profession and never looked back. So far, I have not worked as a nurse for 9 months. If I can make a year without income from nursing, I will burn my license and cancel my malpractice insurance. Hospitals are hiring new grads to work in ICU? You get what you pay for..good luck
I was also very burnt out, heartbroken even because I was considering leaving the profession. I was blessed, able to take a 7 month break from working altogether and now I have a renewed sense to be searching for my next nursing job. I am, however, very selective with positions due to my past injuries and to try and prevent another huge burnout.
I work for a health insurance company. I work from home, no weekends, no holidays. 3-4% increase + bonus every year. It is not as fulfilling and is a little boring but it works with my lifestyle right now.
I've spoken with other nurses who feel the same way I Do about being burned out. I know we are vintage nurses now but we all agree on the same thing to be: a greeter at Walmart!
Nurse Writer? Idk, i’m not much liking nursing either
Try travel nursing. You get to pick and choose job and bigger wages. A lot of agencies also have benefits. And the not only give you a salary you get a stipend or they pay for your apartment and that is s tax free money. So instead of make Ng regular pay day 1900 a week you will get that plus travel and housing money which like I said is tax free. So instead of 1900 you could make say 3000 plus a week. Check it out. All it will cost you is time.
I would like to follow this thread.
Look into the career pages for the health insurance companies in your area. Case management, utilization management, IHA (initial health assessment), Quality Improvement, and auditing. Remote or half remote, no weekends, no holidays. If you have no experience in these areas, learn more and inquire with these departments at your hospital. You can volunteer or try applying to those departments first to gain experience.
There's also corrections, home health, and employee health.
Consider hospice or home health care. I have been doing hospice for the past 16 years and love it. There is autonomy and some flexibility you don't get in the hospital, etc. Also you deal with one patient at a time, so there's a chance to build relationships and give quality care.
GI, endoscopy and Radiology also have private stand alone centers that are not open on weekends. In the hospitals, yes, you have to work weekends, holidays, and take calls. Find an ambulatory surgery center in an area you like, and go for it!
I always thought I'd be a L&D nurse. I landed in home heath care working with special needs kids since 2014, and right now I don't foresee changing that anytime soon. It's a 1:1 setting, so you have the time for full patient care without feeling overwhelmed, rushed, or having someone over your shoulder. It has given me experience in care that I might not have had in other areas, such as feeding tubes, trach care, and vents. While the pay is no where near what you make in the hospital setting, for me, it is worth it to be able to provide full care without all the politics. After all, isn't caring for the person, what the nursing profession is supposed to be.
Medically Fragile Pediatrics - Home Care
Low stress 1:1, some go to school. All my patients have trach, vents, most NPO so enteral nutrition, some had transition from TPN post surgery. Catheters, seizures, lots of respiratory treatments/suctioning. Some times they are in and out of the hospital.
Allot of patients are in foster system to help better fund the medical needs. Often the mothers are nurses themselves who permanently care and graciously love these kids. I’ve always had someone close to call if needed wether it’s my boss, our team discussion boards and parents are often only minutes away.
Started as a new grad 2021. The idea of working in a COVID hospital environment did not fit for me. Also I currently work under a COVID exemption. Some of the families I attend prefer this because I test weekly
Kids Care pays well - Oregon
Stay at home while working on computer and making calls working for medical insurance companies
I would recommend UR/ UM work from home.
I am not sure what position you are in now, but it could help with caregiver burnout.
I work in derm and plastics. I love my job and would never go back to bedside.
I worked in cosmetic/ plastic surgery, it's easy and not very stressful. Not as gratifying as helping a patient with renal failure, or going to hospice but if you're burned out this field is easy and has it's awesome perks of free Botox and Fillers, of course it's not everyone's cup of tea and it can be difficult to get in. Hope this helps someone. I'm going to be moving soon to LA and I am dreading the fact that I have to leave my current position, in Ambulatory Family Medicine. If anyone has any good advise for me? That would be great!
When I was feeling burnt out, a friend from nursing school asked me if I would come to work for an insurance company doing Utilization Review and it was from home. 10 years later still in the same role and happy I made that decision. Decent money, far less stress.
If you haven't already, I suggest looking for a per diem or PRN position at a clinic. I never saw myself as anything but a long suffering ED nurse. A job in a clinic, doing mostly secretarial things but using my nursing knowledge, helped me get back on my feet. They were able to use me as much as I was able to work.
Another thing might be to look into some type of IT teaching position or chart reviews, if you have been in the same hospital system awhile.
It issI
It is great you encouraged people to take vacation but the hard part is to collect PTO and also get it granted. That is part of the burn out problem - vacations keep getting denied
Outpatient GI lab
Have you looked into Nurse Coaching? I’m in the process of working towards my certification and it’s so fulfilling to see healthcare from a wellness and proactive perspective. After 23 years in a “sick model “ of care an after 20 years helping clients/patients through the revolving doors of the ER, I found a field in nursing I get to make work for me as well as actually help others and see positive results.
Home health care was my option and a good one.
Most Nursing jobs have burnout depends on an individual. We have options case manager, hospice nurse, home health, insurance nurse,
I think employee health is less stressful but they pay less
Legal nurse is good
Nurse coach
Start your own business
I work as a travel nurse on a step down unit. However, I found a new position working Urgent Care(on the side).
It gives me a variety but with less stress, less documentation and less responsibility.
I'll go full time at UC when my contract ends.
You might try home health. That is where I went when I left nursing management from LTC. I really enjoyed it.
Whew! Say it louder! I’m thing about digging ditches lmao. There has to be a better way! I did Medicare review for the last year, and I have never seen so much BS and red tape in my life!
I think I’m going to be a receptionist at the nail place I go to. At least I could get my nails done for a discount on my lunch break lol. But in all seriousness, I’m just coming back from being out for a year with an illness. Of course my job was not held for me and I wasn’t hired back, so I’m floundering thinking about what I want to do now. You would think after almost 17 years at one company they would have some loyalty to you as an employee.
Hi. Look into opportunities in private duty nursing near you. You will care for 1-2 patients at a time. It has much lower stress. Just make sure that the family members of the private duty patient(s) are people that you feel you can get along with. The shifts in a private duty nurse case usually last 8-12 hours long.
Same with me. When the pandemic began, I was laid off. Started looking… I then saw an ad to “audition” for a ConDUCKtor role for Boston
DUCK tours. It was so out my comfort zone. Well, I got the job. Training was extensive and completely exhausting. But, I am now in my 3rd season as an actress and play a character 3 or 4 days a week - history and humor and my character teaches the Boston accent to my guests.
Think outside your comfort zone. If you don’t like what you see, you can always go back to nursing.
Never let your license expire.
Home Infusion. Great, low stress, flexible, interesting, rewarding. Must have excellent IV skills.
Look into remote opportunities. I love it!
LEAVE!!
I worked in a very busy overflow of ER unit at trauma hospital and it took me crying in the stairwell from stress to realize I needed a change. Not to mention it was always a struggle with child care or missing sporting events because of 12 hours shifts. I was headhunted on indeed by a hospice company and took a chance (was not the specialty I ever saw myself). However I am so glad I did! Not only was my schedule aligned with my families (M-F, 8a to 5p) but for the first time I had time to build relationships with my patients and their families. Such a rewarding specialty of nursing. And being able to be with kids every night and sporting events is the cherry on top! If you aren’t interested in the hospice route I would highly recommend case management, once you experience the autonomy of this position you’ll never go back!
School Nursing--get certified so that salary is better
When I started feeling burnt out working in a hospital, I turned to school nursing which was a lot less stressful and where nurses are more appreciated.
There are so many options to choose from. When I left the hospital, I went into homecare, then did hospice, then into staffing as a supervisor, & now I am in education . I felt it was time to pass my experience on to the next generation through teaching. You can always work per diem to maintain your experience.
I would ask you to look into yourself and identify what the major factors are for your feelings. Maybe a change of scenery would be good ~ another specialty or area of nursing? I think most can find some merit in their day to day. Or maybe it’s time to challenge yourself to learn a different specialty. Good luck ~ god speed
How about infusion unit. It’s a Monday to Friday 8 hour shift no weekends or holidays. Sometimes we only have 1 or 2 patients scheduled. We do outpatient infusion: blood products, iron, ivig, shots like prolia, retract, sometimes we just plain LR or NS and at times we do phlebotomy.
I am a hospice nurse. Hospice work is rewarding. I meet all kinds of people. I'm not stuck inside all day. It's busy but not as physically taxing as floor nursing.
Have you considered teaching nursing?? Just make sure they pay you for your knowledge, skills, experience and expertise!!!
I would suggest one or more of the following.
1. Find a good Counselor, friend or professional associate that you trust, discuss this with him, and listen to their wisdom.
2. Sit down and do a self review. Make sure to think about the following.: What are your goals? What are your passions regarding NURSING? What are your financial goals?
3. Ask yourself where you'd like to be in one year. Be honest with yourself.
4. What other qualifications do you have for work out of the field of nursing?
5. Challenge yourself. Being complacent gets you nowhere.
Good luck!
Consider joining us in evidence based practices to prevent, reverse and stabilize chronic diseases in Lifestyle Medicine, www.lifestylemedicine.org The free ceu courses are an ideal place to start for our own health and a vision of unimaginable improvements
I'm also following this post because I have struggled with this feeling since the start of my nursing career, ugh!
Ambulatory Services...it is low stress no weekends no holidays no call. Patients are stable and surgeries are elective.
I went through this. Worked bedside too long and just felt undervalued, beat up and burned out. I went into private duty nursing. It wont be forever, in already feeling a little bored going from fast paced million patients to only one. Crazy thing is, tbere is pretty much zero strees and I'm getting paid so much more. I don't think I'll ever go back to the hospital enviroment, i felt used and abused. I'll probaby stay in home care but not private duty. For a little while it's nice not to be stressed the hw out every minute if the day.
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Clinics. Infusion suites. Those are the best options for burnout. If you are considering going to work for an insurance company, be careful. They are corporations and work like that. Nurses are sometimes not suited to their mentality.
Outpatient role but they do not pay as well as inpatient unless it is a lateral transfer.
Hi. Burnout is in the eyes of the beholder. Meaning , situations that would cause burnout for you might not cause burnout for me. If you have spent a lot of years in nursing, try to look inside yourself to figure out what is going on with you. The three nursing specialties whose nurses suffer the most burnout are Critical Care, Hospice and the Emergency Department. I would advise you take two - to - three weeks leave from your present job. Think about what brings you "joy". Then go for it. In-unit staff support groups are so helpful where nurses frequently experience taking care of patients who die and /or have massive injuries. Get together with your medical center chaplain or psychologist and start a support group for the staff you work with. Wishing you much success in future endeavors.
Some nurses, as myself with 20+ years of experience and an advanced degree, have considered teaching.
In 2008 “retired.” I’m okay financially because my husband is a physician. I spent the last 5 years in a large and EXTREMELY busy ED. It was bedlam. So, I was exhausted every day. But I loved the nursing (I’m a adrenaline junky)! Still the wear on my emotional health became so bad that I started to resent the patients. I mean the “frequent flyers” who you saw over and over smoking even though they had bad COPD, or the diabetics with ridiculously high glucoses because they ate donuts. Worse than that were the families who demanded box lunches (they’re for patients only) and became irritated at how slow the care was. After those five years I knew I was burned out. I had to take a break Now, after this break I am ready to return, I love nursing and miss it, but I’m being very selective about what I apply to. So far no luck:( Take a break! Just don’t take a long one. Personal health should be your priority!! Good luck whatever you decide!
I am following this because I also want to see if I can branch out
During the pandemic I went to media school.
What about dermatology, outpatient surgery center, health department, etc.
Here to follow thread
Maybe explore other career options you have been intrigued in before? For me personally becoming a pilot has always been intriguing.
Occupational health or travel vaccinations. Great cool down from the hustle and bustle.
I too am burnt, I left floor nursing to try ltc again. And now I'm finding it hard to find a position. I am a lpn, and I feel we are " the middle child" or the " red headed step child" no one wants us. If you are not a aid for $15-19. Or a RN or above, we aren't wanted.or used. Can anyone enlighten me as to why Lpn nurses are irrelevant?
Case management or Utilization review.
Look into nursing supervisor and patient placement roles. They aren't stress free and require experience and clinical judgement but are a nice change and break from the physical load.
home health
I hear you on this one! As s full-time RN working noc shift - gotta love that noc differential , but it figuratively burned me at the stake after going full-time, non-stop for 10 yrs without taking vacations. So I moved North, out of SF and got into Home Health. Took me a good year to master the very demanding, repetitive charting - but now that I ve got that down , I m working part-time to full-time depending on our pt referrals, making my own schedule, driving around a 30 mile radius, trunk is my supply room and I have to say, dud to the nature of the job, no co-workers around to guide me, I ve had to learn more about chronic diseases on my own which has given me a big boost in confidence. Anyway that s my experience of getting off the grueling but lucrative $$-train to having time to take care of myself, with a cut in salary of course - there will always be a factor you have to except to prioritize peace of mind - right? Best of luck and a well-researched plan.
Nurse case manager for an insurance company, working from home. I did it before but i went to the office and felt like it wasn’t for me all together at the time . I wanted to be on a critical care unit moving around and being hands on. But I always thought that if I wasn’t ready to retire but was really too tired for bedside, I would get back to doing that but this time working from home.
I’m following.
The majority of my experience is behavioral health, 17 yrs. I’ve worked skilled care, ECF, hospice and outpatient/inpatient treatment.
Would love to branch out.
Single with nothing holding me back. I have reservations regarding travel nursing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ☺️
Me too! 30 years of Giving Giving Giving & big Corporation Hospitals only taking.
House Shift Supervisor. It's nice to be able to interact with people all over the hospital, I find it rewarding. I can still do bedside if I choose too, interact with patients ,nurses and the rest of the ancillary staff.
Maybe try outpatient care . I tried primary care and dermatology but the money wasn’t enough to continue for me. I’m now doing informatics and I really like it.
Get a .6 at an out patient surgery center. 3 days a week, no nights, weekends or holidays.
🙏🏽🌷
I recommend looking into the local community colleges nursing programs. They often need assistance in the lab as well as tutoring and clinical teachers.
I couldn’t believe how incredibly rewarding and necessary these rolls were.
Lead instructors need help. The nursing shortage is not just within healthcare facilities.
Just check it out and see what happens.
Jamie
Following the post as I am struggling with the same issue. Unlike some other on this thread - we do not have option to scrub as the scrubs techs are taking over as cheaper labor. I have done every service except trauma as our hospital is small and we do not do trauma.
I do want to stay with nursing but questioning myself which area of nursing I could utilize my OR knowledge I collected over the years.
Ideas?
Think about UR Nurse doing chart reviews which can be done remotely and no more beside nursing
Good Luck
Become a school nurse! The hours are incredible, there’s no nights, weekends or holidays & no on call. You’ll be off Christmas & New Years (up to 2 weeks)get a stretch off at Thanksgiving & Easter (spring break)and you will have the summer off(unless you want to work summer school)!
School Nursing
Medical sales could be an option.
Oh after burn out you’ll need to take a mental health break. Some time off to just be and really think about your next move. A good support system is helpful.
In my opinion, Home Health is a hot mess. I like to just do my job and be a nurse. The documentation is out of hand. Having to contact patients evening prior, working on notes after work hours. I actually enjoy living my lively life outside of work. So that doesn’t work for me anymore. I like to leave work at work.
I have found 1:1 school nursing to be my thing. I get to work with kids, in a school setting, with school hours and holidays off. The pay is decent and the work is minimal. The downside is it can get boring and skills will certainly not be used. The classroom becomes a little family unit. It’s nice.
I’ve leavened that our skills don’t just go away once you’re a seasoned nurse. It’s like riding a bike. It just comes back to you after some time, study and practice.
Anywho, nursing is tough! Always put your mental health before any job. You’re only one person.
What does a nurse navigator do?
How about taking some PTO and getting some rest and relaxation? Come back refreshed. Also carry your weight, meaning your assignment and stop trying to help everyone. You can only do what you can do. Charge nurses can support others, that is part of their job and they get paid more. Or...get out of direct patient care and do something different. Hang in there and best of luck!
46 years of critical care and pediatrics (42 yrs open heart pediatric and 4 years adult critical care) .
Looking for home based work, anything on line.
Any suggestions?
DIGITAL MARKETING
https://linktr.ee/Courses4changes
I recently found school nursing less stress you still have protocol to follow. Mostly care plans and making sure students are safe and healthy while in the school setting look into county nursing positions within the school system or health department
Case management, nurse advice line, homecare case manager, staff development come to mind. Continuing education for paralegal education for medical malpractice, nurse/medical Underwriter. Also can consider mortuary science or pathology assistant. If you want to quit nursing go back for nuclear medicine tech. Alot of choices.
Following
public health school nursing, home health infusion therapy
Good suggestions! I'd like to keep a tab on this for later.
I am thinking of going back into WOC. Yes- it takes schooling but the work environment is different. I found it much less stressful. And only days. No weekends. Also - home care on a prn basis
Home health or Hospive
Look into home health care. Make your own schedule.
Ditto
These are ALL really great suggestions!!! I've ONLY worked in a hospital, doing many different things, but always a hospital. I'm not even sure what else IS out there! So, my question is, anyone know of WHERE to look for non-hospital jobs for nurses? Is there a good job search site? I know I can go directly to, for example, the schools or the jail to look directly on their site. But, there has to be more industries out there than I am aware. I'm searching for ideas where to look. Any ideas??
W
Have you ever considered ID/DD nursing? I’ve been working for an agency for 6 years. The job often comes with the ability to make your own schedule. You work with a set assignment, get to know your individuals and team very well. It can be stressful with a large caseload but also very rewarding because you feel you can make a difference.
The
I was feeling the same way and tried dialysis, they were willing to train me, this however was not at Devita, this clinic paid horribly, but I wanted to learn it. It was so stress free, however, the nurse I was supposed to take over for decided to stay and this clinic couldn’t afford me to stay. I only did 3weeks of the 12 weeks of training they were to give me
I
Well it sounds like something is really disturbing and needs addressing. I am sure you can return but get a temp job in between to assure yourself of income. Good luck.
Hannah
Because the job are helping to other
Value Analysis
Advocate Aurora Health IL and WI.
You might consider Hospice. It still involves patient care but at a different pace. The families will also be your concern. The goal of hospice is comfort. Straight forward, usually easily obtainable, and fulfilling when accomplished. I have the time to connect with people and to help them to adjust to their new reality. If you don't want to step away from patient this may be for you
This answer is directed at Mitch Walker from the OR.
Mitch around here which is Washington DC you should be making 120K already my friend. The one thing about an OR nurse aside from what the rest of us are going thru too is you have a ton of market power right now. NEGOTIATE for real. OR Nurses are so intensely trained and then couple that with experience--I can honestly say you are in one of the few positions where making pay is a reality not a wish. My friend is in the OR here in the area and banking 125.00 plus an hour!!! Yeah. Truth. My friend loves her job though. I
I have to go. I pray everyday for an answer or way out...sad truth about all of this is I am damn good, REALLY good at what I do. I just don't know what or where to go anymore. In all reality I am really happy that some of you have found an alternative. But I have to be brutally honest...I am miserable and for now don't see a way out--just more hobbies.
Correctional Nursing
Outpatient dialysis
Routine work
