I have been a nurse for 5 years, moving up from ortho med/surg to intensive care, and now I am ready for a change. Maybe not forever, but for now. Is it a bad idea to go from where I am now to working for an insurance company? Will I be able to go back to acute care if I decide this is not for me, or will I be "stuck" in corporate health care forever, or would I even want to go back? Anyone have any experience/advice?

Thanks!

leean, i must agree with teresah it may be very difficult to go back to acute care after being an insurance nurse for a while. however i would like to note that moving from ortho med/ surg to icu is not necessarily "moving up" its moving alright but as for "up" that is debateable. As for desk nursing you may find yourself bored out of your mind very quickly . being an insurance nurse sounds like a lot traveling and driving to peoples houses and you might find that environment kinda scary anyways i would think about moving into a different dept of hospital nursing first before leaving it altogether. I worked in a doctors office for a while before i became an rn and i must say working 9 to 5 wearing real clothes and weekends and holidays off has its advantages but i wouldn't go back to it for a million bucks. hospital nursing is a challenge but rewarding and well worth my efforts as i go home everyday knowing that i helped people and taught people that they CAN do what they once thought impossible. good luck with your decision.