Question:

Dear Donna,

I have been an OB nurse for eight years and have a BSN. I would like a job away from bedside nursing and preferably not on the night shift. What types of jobs will pay what bedside nursing pays? I'm unhappy in my position and would like a change.

Laila

Dear Donna replies:

Dear Laila,

There are many different things you can do in nursing beyond the bedside that pay well and offer good benefits. Occupational health, research nurse or other positions for pharmaceutical companies, case manager for insurance companies or private case management companies, legal nurse consulting, telephone triage for a telemedicine company, remote ICU monitoring for an eICU company or remote monitoring of OB patients are just a few options. A lot depends on what type of work interests you. Read “How to Find Your Forte” (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/Forte) and “How to Change Specialties” (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/ChangeSpecialties).

It's a good idea to start fully exploring all of your options. One way to do that is by attending local nursing career fairs and talking to nontraditional employers there. See what's coming up at www.Nurse.com/CareerFairs/. You never know where an idea or opportunity will come from.

You also should talk to nursing agencies and recruiters. Some place nurses in non-traditional positions and that is a good way to gain experience and try something out to see whether you like it. Many agencies exhibit at career fairs, too.

Try to attend an upcoming “Career Alternatives for Nurses” seminar. You'll be able to identify transferable skills; learn specifics, including salary ranges; learn about a multitude of nontraditional specialties; gain resources and contact information and discover creative and effective ways to find a job. You'll also learn to maximize your self-marketing skills. See what's scheduled at www.Nurse.com/CEseminars If you can't attend a seminar, the program also is available in a home-study version (ce.Nurse.com/Professional-Development).

Best wishes,
Donna