Bedside nursing is physically and emotionally exhaustive work. Even those who enter the field enthusiastic and ready can experience intense burn-out. COVID-19 saw a substantial number of bedside nurses leave the profession, seeking another nursing position that wasn’t as taxing.
The dedication and energy required to perform the duties of a bedside nurse are transferable and valued everywhere. However, if you are trying to jump to a higher-paying position or a separate specialization, getting an advanced degree can make their transition smoother.
Why Are People Trying to Advance From Bedside Nursing?
Emotionally Straining
Dealing with arguably the most draining part of healthcare on a constant basis while suppressing your own emotional reaction in order to calm patients is one of the biggest stressors of the position.
Inflexible Schedules
Bedside nurses work irregular hours that can stretch into the night and well into the next day. These positions may require nurses to work weekends and holidays – all while spending long hours on their feet running all over the place. This can not only lead to an unhealthy work-life balance, but this schedule can also lead to bodily wear and tear and raise nurses’ risk of developing injuries from repetitive strain.
Workplace Violence
Healthcare professionals are among the most vulnerable to workplace violence, with patient aggression in hospitals and nursing homes negatively affecting bedside nurses. This is made worse by the unsafe nurse-to-patient ratios, which can create potentially dangerous working conditions that can overwhelm bedside nurses.
High-Stress Environment
Between the high patient loads, caring for critically ill patients, talking to concerned family members and critical understaffing, many nurses experience burnout. This can all be compounded if your team is overwhelmed and unable to work efficiently together , which is a substantial factor in nurse turnover.
Desire for Career Growth
Not all reasons are necessarily due to a distaste for bedside nursing – some may be seeking an opportunity to pursue a higher-paying job or a position in a different specialization, such as education, healthcare administration, clinical research or critical care.
What Roles Can Bedside Nurses Transfer Into?
- Charge Nurse: Charge nurses are RNs who oversee nursing units, guiding nurses through shift changes, answering questions and facilitating communications between nurses and doctors.
- Case Manager: Case managers coordinate patient care across different providers and different health disciplines, seamlessly integrating all resources available to optimize treatment plans.
- Nurse Educator: Nurse educators have an advanced degree in education to train new nurses in healthcare facilities or aspiring nurses in academic settings. They may also help facilitate continuing medical education for established nurses.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): Clinic nurse specialists are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who operate at a higher level, developing treatment plans for RNs to carry out.
- Nurse Administrator: Nurse administrators include roles like Director of Nursing or Chief Nursing Officer, as they oversee nursing departments, manage staff and monitor quality control in patient care.
- Research Nurse: Research nurses lead and conduct clinical research studies in an effort to advance medicine and patient treatment outcomes.
- Occupational Health Nurse: Occupational health nurses design health and safety programs for workers in corporate settings. Bedside nurses exhausted from healthcare environments may prefer this lower-stress environment.
How You Can Change Your Nursing Career
The most effective way to change course is to pursue an advanced degree. While certifications can give nurses quick accreditation in areas they may want to pursue, going back to school can show employers your dedication to cultivating your skillset, which can subsequently increase your chances of getting hired as well as increase your earning potential.
Completing an advanced degree in healthcare administration, LPN to RN associate program or RN to BSN completion program can provide tangible evidence of your in-depth knowledge and refined skillset, giving you (and your employers) confidence that you can perform well in a higher position and will be able to hit the ground running from the moment you’re hired.
Become an Expert in Your Desired Field With a Rigorous Education from a Reputable Health Careers College
At St. Louis College of Health Careers, we prepare aspiring and transitioning nurses for their dream position with one-on-one guidance delivered by experienced faculty, hands-on training and ample clinical experience.
Strengthen your abilities at your own pace with in-person and online programs that are flexible to your work and life schedule. Learn more about our programs and start your application today by calling 866-529-2070.