Leaving the bedside - now what?

[webdwarf40]

I've been an RN for nearly 30 years and just can't take the rigors of the hospital any more. I'm considering going to school for Medical Billing and Coding and am curious if anyone has thoughts on this topic?

Mary

[Mikeslo_Imc]

I think now this time your hospital work is very successful.

[CindyCaseMgr]

I've been an RN for nearly 30 years and just can't take the rigors of the hospital any more. I'm considering going to school for Medical Billing and Coding and am curious if anyone has thoughts on this topic?

Mary

What about working as a case manager on the phone? I'd think your experience would come in really handy there.

Or, you could work really part time as a home care worker?

Or, haha- you could get a job with a newspaper or news station as their resident medical expert!

[NurseEducator]

Think of the areas of nursing you really enjoy and try and bounce off of those. Like if you are good at IVs you could do infusion therapy in a MD office or infusion center. If you are really good at wounds or ostomy you could seek certification and do home care, consulting, or work for a wound company like KCI or Monolycke to name a few. Billing and coding is a very tedious, desk job and not as easier as it looks to do correctly. With that being said you might enjoy the break. A serious look at your options, needs for more education or certification, and financial considerations should get you in the ball park.
Good luck,

[Msunrose]

What about working as a case manager on the phone? I'd think your experience would come in really handy there.

Or, you could work really part time as a home care worker?

Or, haha- you could get a job with a newspaper or news station as their resident medical expert!

Am currently looking at this same question. Where and how to I get there from here? I am an ED RN and need to find a area to transfer these skills without all the, once appreciated, physical challenges! Imagining sitting at a desk can make me less than eager. There must be a middle ground. And what of the certifications? ARE they truly appreciated by the NEW Employer when otherwise true on the job experience is non existent YET? Mary, I would appreciate encouraging you and sharing info with you.
Don't forget we really HAVE a HUGE WEALTH of Experience. HOW TO APPLY is the question?

[watersleepexercise]

Would you be able to teach at the community college level? Just a thought.

[TriciaB]

Man, I am so with you. I have been thinking of looking into hospice nursing. I've talked to older nurses like us who absolutely love it. They get to spend quality time with their patients that doesn't involve running around like a fiend and ploughing through mountains of busy work. Of course, the pay is the pits compared to hospital nursing. But if you don't have a slew of financial obligations, this route does seem more nurse-friendly.

[kupcraft]

I have also heard that GI labs are a good way to go. A lot of the outpatient chemo or infusion sites are still nursing and patient care without the as much of the rigor.

[BILL_I]

dear webdwarf40,

The prospect of going back for education is kind of exciting ; however I do not know for sure that Medical Billing and Code is where I will go for, mainly there will be nothing but desk work; and you will be dealing with and working for insurance companies, unless this is what you really want. Take care.

[ianursing22]

Would you be able to teach at the community college level? Just a thought.

I think this will be a great idea for a nurse who has been in the area for 30 years. I think you have so much to share and impart to the aspiring nurses!

[michfr]

I would agree that there is a middle ground between being a full time nurse and a full time desk job. How about school nursing, which is a lot less physical activity, or as others suggested, working in a private office or clinic? There are nursing jobs that will allow you to use your skills but won't confine you to a desk.

[nursanity]

I feel like you'd take a major pay cut in coding. I was looking into getting out of bedside nursing and I actually found an insurance company that was going to set my home up with phones to do like preapprovals or something. I wish i remembered the company. It wasn't for me and wouldve been a pay cut, but there is a ton to do with your nursing license outside of bedside. Once a nurse, always a nurse. Stay true! Nursanity.com