Credible Avenues for Nurses to Transition Away From Bedside Care
Abstract:
In the dynamic landscape of healthcare, the role of nurses stands as a cornerstone in providing compassionate care and ensuring patient well-being. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift as nurses are increasingly exploring opportunities beyond bedside nursing. This trend reflects a combination of factors ranging from burnout and staffing shortages to the desire for professional growth and diversification of skills. In this article, we delve into the reasons behind nurses leaving bedside nursing and explore the diverse avenues they can pursue in their careers.
Understanding the Shift:
Bedside care nurses are responsible for providing holistic care to patients. Bedside nurses are responsible for doing assessments, administering medications, taking vitals, bathing clients, changing linens, and providing information. They also provide emotional support to aid in recovery process. The decision to depart from bedside nursing is not taken lightly, stressful working conditions are driving experienced nurses to seek positions elsewhere.
Nurses cite various reasons for this shift:
Burnout: Long hours, high patient-to-nurse ratios, and the emotional toll of caring for patients during illness or trauma contribute to burnout among nurses. A nationwide study found that 55% of health care workers feel burned out. The demanding nature of bedside nursing can lead to physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion, prompting many to seek alternative career paths.
Staffing Shortages: Across healthcare systems globally, staffing shortages have become a pervasive issue, exacerbating the workload for bedside nurses. Many nurses are now forced to take on more patients than is safe and manageable. 84% of emergency room nurses and 96% of ICU nurses reported a 4:1 ratio. That’s twice the recommended 2:1 ratio. These suboptimal staffing ratios can have detrimental effects on patient outcomes, including hospital mortality. The strain of being perpetually understaffed can lead to job dissatisfaction and prompt nurses to explore other roles where they feel their skills are valued and their workload is manageable. 77% of nurses agreed they often feel emotionally drained from their work.
Career Growth: Nurses, like professionals in any field, seek opportunities for advancement and professional development. Some feel constrained by the limited upward mobility in bedside nursing and seek roles that offer greater career progression and the chance to assume leadership positions.
Work-Life Balance: The irregular hours and physically demanding nature of bedside nursing can disrupt work-life balance, impacting personal relationships, and overall well-being. Nurses may opt to transition to roles with more predictable schedules and less physically taxing demands to achieve a better balance between their personal and professional lives.
Exploring Career Avenues:
Fortunately, the field of nursing offers a plethora of career avenues beyond bedside nursing, allowing nurses to leverage their skills and experience in diverse ways:
Nurse Educator: Nurses with a passion for teaching can pursue roles as nurse educators, imparting their knowledge and expertise to the next generation of nurses. This role involves designing curriculum, conducting classes, and providing mentorship and guidance to aspiring nurses.
Nurse Researcher: Nurses interested in advancing the field through research can explore opportunities as nurse researchers. They can contribute to evidence-based practice by conducting studies, analyzing data, and disseminating findings that inform clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): Clinical Nurse Specialists are experts in a specific area of nursing practice, such as pediatrics, oncology, or critical care. They provide advanced clinical care, serve as consultants to healthcare teams, and facilitate quality improvement initiatives within their specialty area.
Nurse Administrator/Manager: Nurses with strong leadership and organizational skills can pursue roles in nursing administration or management. These roles involve overseeing nursing staff, managing budgets and resources, and implementing policies and procedures to ensure efficient and effective delivery of care.
Telehealth Nurse: With the rise of telemedicine, there is a growing demand for nurses to provide remote patient care and Telehealth services. Telehealth nurses assess patients, provide education and support, and coordinate care using telecommunication technologies.
Legal Nurse Consultant: Nurses with a keen understanding of healthcare law and regulations can pursue careers as legal nurse consultants. They assist legal teams in medical-related cases by reviewing medical records, providing expert opinions, and offering insight into complex medical issues.
Healthcare Informatics Specialist: Nurses with an interest in healthcare technology and data analysis can explore roles in healthcare informatics. They play a crucial role in implementing and optimizing electronic health record systems, analyzing healthcare data, and using technology to improve patient care and outcomes.
Conclusion:
While bedside nursing remains a vital and noble profession, it is essential to recognize that it may not be the ideal fit for every nurse throughout their career due to long shifts, constant pressure, understaffed facilities, and lack of support from leadership. Nurses leaving bedside nursing should be supported and encouraged as they explore alternative career avenues that align with their interests, skills, and professional goals. By diversifying their careers, nurses can continue to make meaningful contributions to healthcare while finding fulfillment and satisfaction in their work.
References
- Bailey, V. (2023, May 15). More nurses to leave healthcare workforce as job satisfaction drops. RevCycleIntelligence. https://revcycleintelligence.com/news/more-nurses-to-leave-healthcare-workforce-as-job-satisfaction-drops#:~:text=Seventy%2Dseven%20percent%20of%20nurses,percent%20often%20felt%20like%20quitting.
- Faubion, D. (2024). 28 best non-bedside nursing jobs for 2024. 28 Best Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs – 2024. https://www.nursingprocess.org/non-bedside-nursing-jobs.html
- Moore, T. (2024). 25 non-bedside nursing jobs (plus duties and salaries) | indeed.com. Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/non-bedside-nursing-jobs
- Why nurses quit and leave the profession. ANA Nursing Resources Hub. (2023, May 19). https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/nursing-leadership/why-nurses-quit/#:~:text=Like%20with%20more%20advanced%20nurses,the%20demands%20of%20the%20job.
Author Biography
Samantha Franks is a social media content creator from Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of South Carolina Beaufort which enriched her analytical research as well as her unique writing ability. Her passion for helping people in all aspects of their health, mentally and physically is shown through her work at TOSI University.
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