Has anyone had success in transitioning from nursing into a non-nursing field (like finance, engineering, etc) in the federal system? I am an ER/ICU nurse and willing to go back to school. I currently work in the VA. I have come to the conclusion nursing will never meet my need for a good intellectual challenge or having autonomy. I would like to stay in the federal system.

Not interested in aprn? . I think the VA allows a lot of autonomy and intellectual challenge. Or are you drained from the clinical work? How did you come to this conclusion

Psychcns thank you for your reply. My question was geared towards fed employees who have made career changes, not the profession of nursing. But to answer you question: I have considered acute care NP. But, in general, practitioners are still put through the same mill as RNs for similar pay. It has more autonomy but is the same job day in/out. If any thing I'd focus on an area of nursing that is project based like quality, infection control, or maybe educator. And no I don't think nursing holds many intellectual challenges. After getting my CCRN, I realized all these 100s 0f hours of extra education are just busy work. You still are suctioning patients and wiping butts for the same pay. Even with a master's degree in education and 9 years in education with adults (prior to my nursing career) I don't qualify for nursing education jobs because I have no msn. I feel getting an msn is a waste of effort. With the exception of crna, all the learning we do as nurses only incrementally changes our career prospects. I can look around me at the nurses with 30 years experience and know that isn't where I want to be in 15 years. Don't get me wrong there are a few jobs with some autonomy and challenge. but they are few and far between and generally require an msn. In my current ER job I am required to do tons of continuing education but every day I am still changing diapers, emptying urinals, filling out belongings lists, drawing blood, making beds, giving sack lunches and water, making administrative calls, lifting patients, etc. Only about 5% of my job involves problem solving or decision making.

I understand. Sounds like you are ready for a change. Best wishes!