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What Nursing Jobs Have Less Paperwork Than Hospice?

Nurses studying on the computer

Question:

Dear Donna,

As an LVN in hospice, I am overwhelmed with documentation. What other jobs can an LVN do that don?t require so much documentation? Honestly, I have been a nurse for 14 years and just this year have seriously considered getting out of nursing.

Looking for Less Paperwork

Dear Donna replies:

Dear Looking for Less Paperwork,

There is no need to leave nursing. Fortunately you have many options that do not require the kind of paperwork required by inpatient/homecare/hospice.

Some alternative specialty and work settings for you to consider where LVN/LPNs commonly work are occupational health (formerly known as employee health) and insurance nursing where LVNs do many different things. These include case-management, pre-certification and utilization review. Some school health systems also employ LVNs. You'll have to check with yours. These are just a few possibilities.

It's clearly time for you to start exploring your options and getting yourself out into the bigger world of nursing. Start by attending some nursing career fairs (http://www.nurse.com/events/career-fairs).

At the fairs, speak with nontraditional employers as well as nursing agencies that place nurses in nontraditional positions. These events are great ways to see what's out there while honing you your networking and self-marketing skills. Read ?How to get the most out of attending a career fair? (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/Career-Fair).

In addition to finding agencies at career fairs, also contact national healthcare employment/nursing agency chains as well as smaller agencies in your local area. Many agencies place nurses in the above mentioned positions and specialties. Even if you only work part time or as a temp at first, it is a great way to get a foot in the door somewhere and try out a specialty while gaining some relevant experience.

My ?Career Alternatives for Nurses? seminar discusses many additional opportunities available to LVNs along with advice on how to find the job openings and get hired. See where I'll be (http://www.nurse.com/events/ce-seminars). If you can't attend the live event, the seminar is available in a home-study version (http://ce.Nurse.com/Professional-Development).

It also is a good idea when making a transition or just exploring options to attend local chapter meetings of nursing professional associations. You'll meet many nurses working in different specialties and settings, and you can do some informational interviewing (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/Interviewing) with them. Check out your local chapter of the American Nurses Association (www.ana.org), the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nurses (www.aaacn.org) and the National Federation of LPNs (www.nflpn.org)

Best wishes,
Donna