Can you still do some prn work if you take the desk job? In my opinion, you should work while you can now to earn what you can now, and take the experience while there are opportunities. Later, you can get the desk job, but for more money, since you’re more experienced. Also, there are opportunities in research/real world evidence/device manufacturers/ software companies outside the healthcare systems for experienced clinicians like yourself (even fully remote ones).

Maybe this current role isn’t perfect for you, but it started you wondering, and that’s good.

I would stay bedside as long as you physically and emotionally can. Bank the extra $ and leave before you get too jaded. Then move to an educational or case manager position where students and/or patients can benefit from your knowledge and experience. You can physically work it up to (or even possibly beyond) retirement age.

Why not both? There are a fair bit of positions that allow a certain degree of patient sided work. And of course there is always Freelance/Locum work in most countries.

I have switched to a full off-patient role a long time ago and since the beginning of Covid I have worked mostly remotely. But I am still working as a Freelancer for a few shifts per month, depending on my workload.

And I like this model a lot.

Talk to your employer about taking on the role on a “fixed term” basis of say 6 months. Tell them honestly why and see what they say. If you’re concerned about the lack in money see if you can take the 9 to 5 and supplement with the odd Sunday shift back on the floor to prop the wages up if that suits you.

You have to figure it out somehow. Just figure out which you could stand doing for a year. You can always try to change to the other after a year if you hate it