Bedside

If a nurse is not a bedside nurse, then what other type of nursing is there? What type of qualifications does one need to not be a bedside nurse?

Also, does bedside nursing pay the best or not?
Honestly the biggest thing that gets someone away from the bedside is nursing experience.

I am not sure what you mean by "bedside nurse". Nurses who work "at the bedside" include all nurses who provide direct patient care. This includes outpatient areas, OR, recovery room etc. Anywhere that a nurse is going to care for a patient. Nurses who provide direct patient care are usually non-exempt, meaning they are paid hourly. Rates depend on your years of experience and the shift that you work. Plus, you usually receive additional pay when you work a weekend. Nurses who do not work providing direct patient care is usually management staff, nurses who do quality review, employee health, etc. Some of those positions will be exempt meaning the nurse is paid a flat salary. This is common for management positions. Salaires are usually better in areas of the country where nurses are part of a union.

Quote from diane227I am not sure what you mean by "bedside nurse". Nurses who work "at the bedside" include all nurses who provide direct patient care. This includes outpatient areas, OR, recovery room etc. Anywhere that a nurse is going to care for a patient.

I would consider anyone with direct patient care a "bedside" nurse. Doesn't matter if it's in the OR, ER, Outpt, school nurse, etc.

Quote from dudette10I always thought "at bedside" meant literally at the bed. From your examples, I would think that OR and outpatient would not be considered bedside. Recovery and ER is sort of a gray area in that respect. School nursing would be one area that you didn't mention that I wouldn't not consider "bedside" either.I'm interested in other experienced nurses' definition of "bedside" too.

Quote from casiHonestly the biggest thing that gets someone away from the bedside is nursing experience.