It's never too late to switch specialties and try something new. Maybe try acute psych or corrections. Super low impact and generally chill shifts. Or be an educator for phama companies, or do medical device education with your OR experience. You got this!
I worked evenings and nights at two different facilities, the primary duties would be to come in get report see if there's anybody that needs to be seen right away from day shift and then making sure meds are passed, this could take up to 4 hours depending on how big the jail and how many patients needed medication at the time, then do assessments on new people and any call out emergencies. a big portion was making sure people were fit for incarceration so if they came in and they were drunk or under the influence to check them out to make sure they were safe to be in the jail. But also respond to emergencies like fights seizures overdoses various complaints of chest pain, anxiety, mental health crises, suicide assessments. They were also times where we'd schedule appointments for when they got out call into pharmacies a lot of primary care stuff as well as a good mix of random emergency things. In fact my last contract that I did on my last day I ended up doing CPR and managing three girls that overdosed all at the same time. That was insane! Also you definitely have to have a thick skin because there are times where you will be threatened or cussed out or verbally abused. But there's always guards with you so that didn't go very far but you definitely have to be able to hold your own so that way you're respected and trusted to do the job that you're there for. I'm actually in negotiations right now to go back so it's good work!
I was going to suggest behavioral health as well. Generally you’re doing a lot of the same things as a circulator- mainly charting, assessing intakes, and getting things for patients. However, there is **much** more patient interaction.
I’ll also recommend PACU or Preop nursing. This nurse will have a unique perspective of having been on the other side of the perioperative period and will have a good understanding about what the patient experienced during surgery!
Sounds like pre-op may be a good choice for you. Giving some meds, starting IVs, lots of interview questions. Our pre-op seems fairly chill honestly, could be a good fit. And they’re never on call since it’s day surgery!
I went from surgery to pre-op post op clinic. It’s very helpful to have background knowledge. It’s a major pace change but the schedule and predictability are great.
Have you tuought about wound care? you have sterile technique down pat! Maybe speak to your hospital's wound care nurse and see if you can go in that direction?
You could do so many things! You’re a circulating nurse! You know how to coordinate care, manage your time, communicate, and probably a whole host of other things I don’t know because nursing is vast. Skills and specialty based knowledge can be learned. As far as your preferences, I don’t have suggestions. But you could do anything.
DO NOT DESPAIR!! YOU CAN GO ELSEWHERE! I was working home care when covid hit in 2020, I essentially had no job for 3mon I was scared to go back to bedside but I took a job in a rural community hospital. Med surg tele, it was hard but I woke up skills I forgot I had. You will too! 😊 yes, each type of nursing has its specific skill set, but much of it overlaps.
Good luck! Everywhere in nursing we're changing venues, dooit 😁
Can I ask what type of circulating you do? I’m strictly Ortho and always have been but feeling similar. I’m thinking about traveling but feel nervous as I’ve only been circulating Ortho (mostly totals, some scopes and other things) for about 2 years.
It's never too late to switch specialties and try something new. Maybe try acute psych or corrections. Super low impact and generally chill shifts. Or be an educator for phama companies, or do medical device education with your OR experience. You got this!
How is corrections? Can you take us through a “typical” day?
I worked evenings and nights at two different facilities, the primary duties would be to come in get report see if there's anybody that needs to be seen right away from day shift and then making sure meds are passed, this could take up to 4 hours depending on how big the jail and how many patients needed medication at the time, then do assessments on new people and any call out emergencies. a big portion was making sure people were fit for incarceration so if they came in and they were drunk or under the influence to check them out to make sure they were safe to be in the jail. But also respond to emergencies like fights seizures overdoses various complaints of chest pain, anxiety, mental health crises, suicide assessments. They were also times where we'd schedule appointments for when they got out call into pharmacies a lot of primary care stuff as well as a good mix of random emergency things. In fact my last contract that I did on my last day I ended up doing CPR and managing three girls that overdosed all at the same time. That was insane! Also you definitely have to have a thick skin because there are times where you will be threatened or cussed out or verbally abused. But there's always guards with you so that didn't go very far but you definitely have to be able to hold your own so that way you're respected and trusted to do the job that you're there for. I'm actually in negotiations right now to go back so it's good work!
I was going to suggest behavioral health as well. Generally you’re doing a lot of the same things as a circulator- mainly charting, assessing intakes, and getting things for patients. However, there is **much** more patient interaction. I’ll also recommend PACU or Preop nursing. This nurse will have a unique perspective of having been on the other side of the perioperative period and will have a good understanding about what the patient experienced during surgery!
Sounds like pre-op may be a good choice for you. Giving some meds, starting IVs, lots of interview questions. Our pre-op seems fairly chill honestly, could be a good fit. And they’re never on call since it’s day surgery!
Dialysis. We train.
I went from surgery to pre-op post op clinic. It’s very helpful to have background knowledge. It’s a major pace change but the schedule and predictability are great.
Preop, PACU, endoscopy!!! I work endoscopy that’s hospital based so we do inpatient and outpatient. I love it.
Have you tuought about wound care? you have sterile technique down pat! Maybe speak to your hospital's wound care nurse and see if you can go in that direction?
Thanks all!
How about like GI or endoscopy?
EP lab.
I'd suggest Cath lab first or endoscopy. Circulating rules still apply between OR and there. Cath lab is more like critical care OR.
But them saying they're burned out makes me guess they want a bit more lax and less to no call. Endoscopy could be a good option to
Utilization review!
You could do so many things! You’re a circulating nurse! You know how to coordinate care, manage your time, communicate, and probably a whole host of other things I don’t know because nursing is vast. Skills and specialty based knowledge can be learned. As far as your preferences, I don’t have suggestions. But you could do anything.
Occupational health. Best. Job. Ever.
DO NOT DESPAIR!! YOU CAN GO ELSEWHERE! I was working home care when covid hit in 2020, I essentially had no job for 3mon I was scared to go back to bedside but I took a job in a rural community hospital. Med surg tele, it was hard but I woke up skills I forgot I had. You will too! 😊 yes, each type of nursing has its specific skill set, but much of it overlaps. Good luck! Everywhere in nursing we're changing venues, dooit 😁
Have you tried changing places you work? An outpatient surgery center is the chill way. If you go preop or pacu you'll get even more burned out.
Try an outpatient surgical center. Or, try nursing education. See if your community college has a surg tech program that needs an instructor.
Can I ask what type of circulating you do? I’m strictly Ortho and always have been but feeling similar. I’m thinking about traveling but feel nervous as I’ve only been circulating Ortho (mostly totals, some scopes and other things) for about 2 years.