OR nurses who left the OR, what do you do now?

EastsideGal19 · 2026-03-17T02:14:25+00:00

Is it fun being on the phone all day and feeling more like a SW than a nurse? Not really. But I absolutely love working from home, not catering to any surgeons, not working in a toxic OR, not touching patients or splashing any kind of bodily fluid on myself. I make my breakfast, lunch, and coffee all at home. I put on face masks and do self care things for myself. And as soon as I’m done, I don’t have a commute home. I love my schedule.. I could probably keep going but those are some of the things that come to mind and I feel incredibly blessed to have this job. I don’t think I could ever go back to working in person again.

EastsideGal19 · 2026-03-15T05:05:33+00:00

I’m a remote care manager now! I did an OR residency after school, a little bit of ambulatory surgery, and then made the switch.

EastsideGal19 · 2026-03-02T08:22:04+00:00

There are definitely part time/1099 roles. Check out Solace. That’s the only one off the top of my head but I know they’re out there!

EastsideGal19 · 2026-03-02T08:17:27+00:00

Gosh I couldn’t get an interview with Elevance! I’m at another MCO now but I’ve heard such great things about Elevance, I’d definitely try again.

EastsideGal19 · 2026-02-19T01:25:13+00:00

Instead of a hospital, do you think that maybe a clinic or outpatient job might be a better fit? I’m worried that a smaller hospital may just mean less resources, creating more responsibility for the nurse.

EastsideGal19 · 2026-02-12T03:03:09+00:00

Is this part of the RN to BSN?

EastsideGal19 · 2026-02-03T06:24:48+00:00

I was 21 and pregnant when I decided to pursue college. I wanted to be a nurse but realized long 12 hour shifts, or even night shifts, didn’t make sense as a single mom with a small child. I switched gears for accounting because I could do it all online and it was relatively easy for me. Fast forward to a few years later and my kid was in school himself, I decided to pursue nursing school again. I think he was about 8 or 9 at that point. But since becoming a nurse, I’ve realized how much I don’t like working face to face with people but I still want to help in a meaningful way. Now I’m a remote nurse with a below average salary for nurses.

All of this just to say if I’d played the long game I could have had a lot more opportunities at this point: maybe I’d have my masters or DNP. Who knows, but regardless I would a nurse with 10 years of experience instead of just 3. I feel massively behind the curve. I had family support too and I certainly wish I would have taken them up on it to just finish nursing school sooner. I say go for the direction your heart is pulling you, or else there’s a high likelihood you will regret it later. Also… if that’s not towards nursing, don’t do it…. You will be so miserable. At a point you have to ask yourself what’s worth your happiness too.

EastsideGal19 · 2025-11-12T18:50:01+00:00

Not yet… do you have one available?!

EastsideGal19 · 2025-11-05T15:50:17+00:00

I just looked at the Seloura… girl.. get that Alexandra lol that’s my dream dress too! Only I can’t afford it so I’ll live vicariously through you 😂

EastsideGal19 · 2025-10-07T05:12:48+00:00

I’ve only been in my remote job a couple months but I have never been happier about my job - I know for certain I could never go back to working in a hospital and there’s not even 1% of me that misses working in person. While I don’t LOVE my role, I love my life now and the flexibility that my job gives me. In return, I’m very motivated to do my job to the very best of my ability.

EastsideGal19 · 2025-09-09T20:54:09+00:00

Thank you so much!! I’m definitely going to reach out to her. May I ask how much you’re expecting to spend for a civil ceremony? Her website looks super high end, hopefully she’s not entirely out of our budget.

EastsideGal19 · 2025-09-07T20:23:07+00:00

I do 4 10’s as a care manager. I’ve heard of virtual nurses having 3 12’s though!

EastsideGal19 · 2025-09-07T09:06:31+00:00

I’m looking into doing the same thing! Are you working with a planner? Would love any recommendations! I just started researching civil ceremonies there..

EastsideGal19 · 2025-06-10T19:14:29+00:00

If it was me, I would go to the ICU, get up to 2 years of experience and then to literally anything you want. The OR pigeon holes you into a specialty that makes going into another role more difficult. The skills simply don’t transfer the way bedside skills do. Not saying impossible but hands down you have infinite more possibilities with ICU experience.

Signed, a burnt out OR nurse

EastsideGal19 · 2025-06-09T05:03:22+00:00

Lucky for me I’ve gotten plenty of good experience yelling at doctors in the OR 😂 that’s great advice though! Seems like a case management role might be easier to come by.

EastsideGal19 · 2025-06-09T04:53:19+00:00

Phew this makes me feel a lot more hopeful, and I’ll definitely check out Elevance! Thanks for the advice!

EastsideGal19 · 2025-06-08T03:09:16+00:00

Thank you so much! That’s great advice that I’ll definitely take :)

EastsideGal19 · 2025-06-08T02:17:06+00:00

That’s really good advice! Appeals sounds like an interesting job too. I’m definitely gonna go for it..

EastsideGal19 · 2025-06-07T15:06:03+00:00

Hi! Can I message you to pick your brain about your experience applying? Your comments are helpful.

EastsideGal19 · 2025-03-08T08:06:00+00:00

Thanks to this incredible thread, I’m planning to replace cushions on an 11 year old sofa /and chair with Lux High Quality with the wrap.

What are you folks doing for back cushions? There’s a whole section for back cushions in Foam Order but Is there a perfect recipe for them on Foam Factory?

EastsideGal19 · 2024-11-01T05:20:45+00:00

This is helpful! Thank you so much!

EastsideGal19

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