Does anyone else plan to stay in bedside?

I'm 24 and it seems that all my nursing friends my age and older only use bedside nursing as a stepping stone to CRNP,DNP, CRNA, and NM. I have no issue with that, it just seems like I'm the only one in the group that truly love bedside nursing and when I tell them that they are shocked. I also feel like they think it means I'm settling, but I didn't become a nurse not to work in bedside. I can totally see myself being one of those nurses still working the floor until I'm ready to roll over and die.

I started nursing 8 years ago. I went from a CNA, LPN, RN and now on my way to BSN. So I do understand the politics and the stresses of working in bedside. However, the pros outweigh the cons in my opinions.

My long term goal is to do part-time in bedside and part-time teaching clinicals for LPNs and RNs at a CC. In my area, you need a BSN to teach clinical.

So am I the only one who truly loves being a bedside nurse?
I'm 32 years old, have been a nurse for 7 years and plan to remain at the bedside. However, I don't love bedside nursing or anything like that. It is simply a means to an end, and to be honest, I do not know what the end is.Most non-bedside positions would require me to work five days per week, which is totally unappealing to me. I'd rather work a compressed schedule of three 12-hour shifts or two 16-hour shifts per week and enjoy my four or five days off every week.In addition, I have dabbled in the charge nurse and supervisory roles, and I honestly did not like being in charge. I dislike it when the buck stops with me. I am not management material. I feel more comfortable following the lead rather than being the leader.

I have no plans right now to leave bedside. I really enjoy what I do and the facility I work for. At 37, I know I should be thinking of the future but right now, Im happy. I have been asked to do charge but I prefer to do rapid response instead and precept

My semi retirement plan is to be a NP and a clinical instructor/educator ...that would be after I have at least 30 years bedside experience. I have 22 years to go-I was a LPN for 7 years, RN (BSN) for 1. The closest I want to got back to school is to get a post bachelors certificate in education. I'm not in a rush. By the time I want to enter the realm of NP, I hope the "rush" will be over, lol. I think you have planned a great path for yourself. At least I know there are people who plan to stay as long as I have !

Quote from crazy&cuteRNI'm 24 .....I started nursing 8 years ago. I went from a CNA, LPN, RN and now on my way to BSN.

If you had asked me when I was 24, I would have said my plan was to stay bedside. I do not want to be a Nurse Practitioner and still have a good 4-5 years before my undergrad degree will be paid off so I don't really see taking on any more debt to go back to school. Now, at 29, I can't imagine working bedside again with the 12 hr shifts, nights, weekends. I never thought I wanted a Mon-Fri but now that I have it, I don't want to ever go back. Most of my friends are not nurses and it's very nice to have the same schedule as them.

I'm not a newly-produced RN, but I do know what you mean by new grads getting into nursing as a stepping stone to something else. I spend part of my day doing bedside work and part doing administrative (that's the kind of facility I work in now, and I enjoy it)....but honestly I wouldn't have stayed at the bedside for my entire career anyway. I expected to move to a management position (and have done so) but I do wonder about the future of bedside. After all, how many advanced practice nurses does one need in a hospital, versus "plain ol' RNs"?

Quote from RNsRWeI didn't think you COULD be a CNA at only 16! Learn something new every day.

Quote from TheCommuterIn the state where I reside (Texas), a person is eligible to train to become a CNA if (s)he is at least 15 years old with a ninth grade education.

if I wind up in LDRP I will gladly stay at the bedside - otherwise I'll likely at some point head back to school for my masters in education

I love the bed side and I have no intention of leaving it. Caring for patients is why I became a nurse.I work with several that have been bedside for 30+ years and they still love it.

OP: You're young. Give it time to fester.

I'm actively trying to leave the bedside for the OUTside!!!!! Problem is, I can't seem to get those darned two nickels rubbed together!