Career Change after Nursing

World Canada

Published

Hey everyone,

Ive been doing nursing for about 7 months only and I'm pretty sure I hate nursing. I have been contemplating of getting out since my university days but I pursued to continue anyway just so I have a degree. I have worked in various floors and did not find any that interest me. I get very anxious and stressed out for my next shift. Just a couple of days ago, I had a meltdown :( I really want out. What are other careers that you guys can suggest after nursing?

please help...

desperately seeking to get out

I feel better I am not alone. 21 years of feeling stuck. I need to leave. For my sanity and for my family. My kids now know not to go to nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I agree fully! It isn't so much the patients......it is the employer and some of the colleagues with the politic and bullying, and workload!!!

How bad is a bad workload?

I'm used to 1:20+ ratio by now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What can one do outside of nursing with a BSN and a BS. in Liberal studies, a phlebotomist certificate, a MA certificate and a CPS certificate? IDEAS?? BESIDES THESE?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Care.
What can one do outside of nursing with a BSN and a BS. in Liberal studies, a phlebotomist certificate, a MA certificate and a CPS certificate? IDEAS?? BESIDES THESE?

Have you thought about teaching nursing or teaching CNAs?

Or you can teach English overseas.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Have you thought about teaching nursing or teaching CNAs?

Or you can teach English overseas.

The emphasis is "outside" nursing

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Bedside nursing is not for everyone, before completely switching or giving up I would try to apply to other types of jobs for example CCAC, i recently saw a position at RBC for a nurse or maybe a pharmaceutical representative. :-) Goodluck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Care.
The emphasis is "outside" nursing

Teaching English overseas is outside of nursing.

I'm leaving nursing and everything else at the end of August to go teach English in Latin America.

I'm fortunate in that I'm single with no debts. I love to travel and teaching English is perfect for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SNF/LTC Nurse Educator.

EXACTLY how I feel right now. Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Unhappy 101, wondering if you have considered designing your career? What I mean by that is using the nursing process to design plan before making your next move. Developing objective clarity on current situation (skills, knowledge, what you are good at, what you love to when not nursing; determine desired situation - create a vivid picture of what you want, what you are doing, the location etc.; then determine what interventions/resources will you need to employ. I'm going to assert you either saw something in your nursing degree program that was attractive to you. Uncover that for yourself. The other thing I can hear from your post is that you have perseverance/ persistence otherwise you would have not completed a nursing degree. There are way easier degrees

to obtained than a nursing degree. I hope this has provided a you with some value and a starting point. Feel free to reach out to me if needed. I have been in a similar place as you. I have gone on to develop some systems and strategies to address this problem.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow Bedbug68 I can totally hear your frustration. I'm curious what has you stay in ICU, I'm assuming you are still there? And what continues to attract you to clinical nursing. Nursing is a challenging career to navigate and definitely requires a clear vision and purpose to provide services to clients/families who are dealing with a lot.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm very new on this site.I got interested and learned a lot from all the post/comments....I thought it was only me who's getting confused or having a second thought to continue working as a nurse....I always have questions on my mind....how important it is to be happy with your work???.....There are lots of people that are impressed that you are a nurse....that you have a good/high salary....that you spent lots/long time to be an RN....that u are thinking what will others will say if u change job or change career...is ur husband will be dissappointed and ur family....but how about yourself? What if u are not happy anymore while working as a nurse....do u have to stick on it because of the good salary?.......how about yourself and your real feelings that u are hiding for a long time now???........an advise would be much appreciated.TY.

You pose some awesome questions/thoughts that I suspect tons of nurses entertain. I remember when I continually asked the question of myself "Is this all there is to life?" "Do I have to get settled in my mind that getting up every day and going to a job that I liked was all I could look forward to?"

I had already change jobs/nursing roles many times in my 25 year career. Friends would often joke...."where are you working now?!" I laughed and inside I was wasn't laughing and I thought there comments meant something about me. That I couldn't seem to find the "right role/job in nursing"

What I discovered is my friends, family members and coworkers really are that worried about me because they are worried about themselves and that It was really up to me to determine what my career and future was going to look like.

Here's some questions that I have used to help me gain clarity on what's important to me and where can I make a difference/have impact:

1. what are 5 areas/things I know or I'm passionate about?

2. what are 5 skill sets that I currently possess

3. what are 5 areas, other than my current situation, where I could leverage my skill set

This was a great starting point for me. Let me know how it goes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment