What Else Can I Do For A Living?

EGspirit · Dec 12, 2017

A high, five-figure job in nursing...If you don't want it, can I have it? :geek:

allnurses Guide · Dec 12, 2017

You might consider medical sales - either pharmaceuticals or medical equipment.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 12, 2017

Hi everyone:
I'm having a rough time with this field. I have been a nurse for 7+ years and have worked in many different settings. I just got another job that I thought I would like, but I absolutely HATE it (and it's not just because I'm new, the job/benefits were complete lies from what I was promised) anyway, The more I think about it, I hate every available job in nursing. I want to quit but I don't know what else I can do with my degree/history.
I'm finishing up a MSN in Leadership/Management which I hoped would open some more doors, but honestly I just don't want to do nursing at all or healthcare. Every job seems like a deadend and the pay is crappy and I'm already in one of the higher paid nursing positions out there.
Has anyone done something else with their nursing background? I don't think I can keep doing this, but at the same time I have to pay my bills... help!

I'm sorry you hate your job, your career, and every available job in nursing. I suspect the problem isn't the available jobs in nursing, the profession or your particular jobs. I suspect the problem is more likely your attitude. Most people are exactly as happy as they make up their minds to be, and you seem to have chosen to be unhappy. Other people have tried to point this out to you as well. Hopefully you'll at least consider it.

Julius Seizure · Dec 12, 2017

Thanks for the snarky response. Exactly the type of attitude that is widespread in this field and another reason I want to move on.

Is this in response to Accolay? Their response wasn't snarky. It was actually pretty good. In fact, a surprising number of people have taken you seriously and given good responses, despite the way you are snapping back. I wish you luck in finding a job that makes you happy.

Nursingsince2019 · Dec 12, 2017

Education, marketing, sports medicine, advocacy, reseach--I think nursing is such a unique field so much you can do. I bet you can even work your way into film as an advisor.

jodymains · Dec 12, 2017

Wow rncm123! There are a lot of haters out there. I've been in your shoes. Everyone assumes nursing makes so much money. Even fellow sitemates made snide comments about the salary. Maybe because I'm in the south, maybe because I only have a BSN, maybe because I didn't pursue leadership, I don't exactly know, but I do know that I make a whopping $60k a year after 26 years of bedside nursing. And I have $400 a month student loan payments. So, it's not all about the money.

I'm sorry you feel so dissatisfied with nursing and I wish I had an easy answer. I am in a new area for me and I'm good right now. (icu) But I know in another year or two this will get old as well for me.

Have you considered Legal Nurse Consulting working for attorneys or testifying in court as an expert witness? Working in different areas and having a Masters Degree would make you a valuable and sought after consultant.

So.... what worked for me was 1. I sought counseling. It really helped me identify what I wanted, didn't want, things I could change, things I couldn't change, and new goals to aspire to. My health insurance covered most of the cost and it was incredibly helpful.

2. I tried a new area (based on what I learned in counseling) though I was rejected for the same position 6 times prior to finally being hired. ICU has some strong Type A personalities (which I am NOT), but I work straight nights and it's quite a bit more laid back.

3. Keep pushing on. Something drew you into nursing. Search your soul and figure out what you love. Don't beat yourself up for being unhappy with it. It's a tough, dog eat dog (or cat fight often times) atmosphere. Nurses should be better about caring for and about each other as we are about our patience. But we're not. That's not who I am. Feel free to reach out to me if you need to. I'll help all I can.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Dec 12, 2017

You need to think outside the "box" of nursing. I don't even know what a MSN in management could do for you, but one would think it could be a satisfying career.
I make 6 figures sitting on my tookas at home, for an insurance company.
Best wishes in your search.

Have you found another job? Insurance companies here in the northeast do not pay that well.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 13, 2017

Semi-livable job pay is what LPNs and MAs get. Something tells me that the OP makes more than that... quite a bit more.

Re. the rest of issue, it is the question of what exactly the OP dislikes so much. She surely can move up onto totem pole but the rest of the issue - namely, the people, the "customers", the atmosphere and the whole rest of it - won't go anywhere. It doesn't matter where exactly in healthcare industry it will be, or even in some expensive-and -difficult-to-get-into outcrops of it (legal, insurance, marketing, even research) - you'll get the same kind of folks and their attitudes you're already sick of. There only one difference between someone in scrubs trying to explain you why and how she completely misinterpreted and missed multiple and ominous signs of incoming "event" and a bureucrat trying to explain you why his insurance company won't pay for an expensive new drug for treating of the result of that "event" is the cost of the pieces of cloth which these two use to cover their butts. They even use the same argument: "this is not within my scope of practice" (read: "I do not want to do that for whatever it takes").

With that being said, it is completely up to the OP to figure out her talents and quircks and think outside of the box about how to apply them in socially acceptable and financially ptofitable way. I would be torn hard between certified yoga instructor, guide specializing on European medieval tours and opening artisan bakery, all plus blogging like crazy.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Dec 13, 2017

Thanks for the snarky response. Exactly the type of attitude that is widespread in this field and another reason I want to move on.

I think I might be beginning to see where your difficulties lay.

Workitinurfava, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2017

You may have to go back to school or start your own business. I am going back to school to become a Dr. It has been a much smoother road than when I went for my RN degree. I have surpassed myself academically and all of the pieces are coming together. I have nursing experience and education to help me on my road. No one says you have to like what you do but the question is can you do what you don't like to do? If not get out of it. Try a therapist job, some are starting to pay just as much as nursing.

Accolay · Dec 13, 2017

Thanks for the snarky response. Exactly the type of attitude that is widespread in this field and another reason I want to move on.

Perhaps you didn't get past the "shoe sales" suggestion and read the rest? (might add that's still a viable option!) Let me clarify my previous post. I'll be generous.

Perhaps any snark provided comes from the number of soon-to-be ex-nurses who come on here looking for some kind of life changing advice when there isn't any- you have to figure it out yourself. Update your resume, Job Search, go to a lot of interviews and see what's out there in your part of the world with wages commensurate to your level of skill adjusted to the COL in your area. See who will hire you. If you're starting in a new field, don't expect your new wage to be the same as your old seven-years-of-experience wage. Hopefully the grass isn't greener and you don't find that your new high paying dream job isn't all skittles and beer either. However, we don't know your resume: Perhaps you've held management positions- in that case, maybe that's what you should be looking for. Maybe you do inventory of some kind? Do you know any database programs? What skills from nursing transfer to the rest of the world?

I'm not sure what kind of job you'd be interested in but yeah... with your current experience and skill set the most likely jobs available to you will have something in some part dealing with healthcare or nursing in some way. Sorry that is not the response you're looking for. I don't know about what your masters will do for you once you graduate. I did suggest insurance companies... they apparently get paid fairly well from what I understand. No weekend, no nights, no holidays. They're pulling in record profits. Maybe check that out before everything goes bust?

But if you're sick of nursing, then definitely not look into any position that has to do with patient interaction. Nothing worse than having a nurse that hates their job take care of you.

TriciaJ, RN · Dec 13, 2017

I don't make six figures, but I also don't consider that a lot of money in today's economy. But whatever, **** me right? I should just keep working with miserable ***** like you because I get paid a semi-livable wage! Go nursing!

I was going to try to think out a supportive response because I get how crappy a lot of Nursing Jobs can be. But this just put me off.