Changing to a non-nursing career?

andreasmom02 · Jan 26, 2015

I posted on here a couple months ago, but just wanted to update. I'm still currently taking classes to be a medical coder. I've been an LPN since '08 and hate nursing. I'm a married, mom of two, & nursing hours & the stress of it aren't for me anymore. I'm sorry to use the word hate, but I realize I picked the wrong career, it wasn't for me. Nursing is sooooo "catty." Every clinic type job I've had, I've had to deal with catty, immature, nurses who stab you in the back! I am not a dramatic person, and dislike drama. I remember the receptionists at the clinics I've worked at in the past, never seemed to deal with the drama as nurses do. I am already loving the idea of landing a desk type job! I keep thinking I can finally "sit" & wear cute office clothes instead of scrubs. I only need 3 more classes to get my coding certificate & I'm going to try for my CPC-A certification. I would love a work from home job. I'm a busy mom, and just can't do 12 hour shifts, even a 9-5 is hard & I usually work part time. So far I have no regrets changing majors, and am already feeling such a weight lifted off of my shoulders studying the medical coding material. Good luck to all of those leaving nursing, its scary, but may be worth it to your mental health in the end!

EwaAnn · Jan 29, 2015

I am a nurse of 30 years most doing long term care. I did some acute care in hospitals. At the moment I am not working as a nurse. I want to do a non nursing job but have no skills for anything else.There are many skills in nursing that can be used elsewhere like a receptionist It's not easy to make that transition. Employers are looking ti see if you fit into their organization. That is fine and dandy. You need coworkers that work well together but if you are good worker that too is important as well. No ever started their first job knowing everything. If you didn't know you learned it as you went along. I give credit to those who changed careers even though the pay is not like what you used to get but at least you don't have to deal with the stress and the nonsense/foolishness. At least you don't have to work weekends and holidays.

JustCheckin' · Jan 30, 2015

Try being a flight attendant.

jmpreston4832 · Feb 2, 2015

I know what you are talking about completely!! I super don't love nursing... however I spent the money going to school for it and now this is what I have to do to pay the bills. I have interviewed for several non-nurse jobs and have not been called back for a second interview- I'm unsure of the same as you, perhaps people think I have done something wrong as a nurse to want a job in a different career. More frequently than not, I am not called for an interview period. Nurses possess great skills that will transfer to other careers- communication, multi-tasking, working under pressure, decision making, customer service... I would love to find something I could do from home!

EwaAnn · Feb 2, 2015

Dear nervous nurse:

I once had someone tell me with all my education, I would be insulting myself doing a lesser paid job. Yes I would miss the pay but at least it pays the bills. At least you got some interviews. I applied for jobs and don't even get a response except "Thank you for interest in the company if we find qualifications meet our job description we will cal you for an interview. If We can do the nurses work don't you think we can do a unit clerks job? Afterall we have been doing some of that all along.

EwaAnn · Feb 2, 2015

I know what you are talking about completely!! I super don't love nursing... however I spent the money going to school for it and now this is what I have to do to pay the bills. I have interviewed for several non-nurse jobs and have not been called back for a second interview- I'm unsure of the same as you, perhaps people think I have done something wrong as a nurse to want a job in a different career. More frequently than not, I am not called for an interview period. Nurses possess great skills that will transfer to other careers- communication, multi-tasking, working under pressure, decision making, customer service... I would love to find something I could do from home!

That is exactly what they think that we did something wrong in nursing. Perhaps we want to leave nursing some we don't want do something wrong. They are so naive and narrow minded, If they had to do the things we had to do and face the problems they would think differently.

EwaAnn · Feb 2, 2015

I am happy I am not not alone and for the many words of encouragement. After awhile it gets very exhausting. :yes:

EwaAnn · Feb 2, 2015

It's nice to come here and know other nurse feel the same as me. People act like it's a sin if you tell them you want to leave nursing one day!!! Any other career it seems you get support to try something new. But I guess people think if you don't want to be a nurse anymore it means you are suddenly some evil uncaring person??????

Thank You!!

EwaAnn · Feb 2, 2015

I totally understand. I've been an LPN since '08 & hate it. I'm 33 & don't want to do this another 30 years for my sanity. I'm considering going back for surgical technology, or another career. I'm a healthscreener nurse right now PRN, & it's not too stressful, but I don't like bedside care or clinic nursing anymore...

train for a surgical tech or even a respiratory therapist. I had degrees in both areas and loved it very much when I was in training. I wanted a job as nurse to work either are like a pulmonary nurse or circulating nurse. I want a good orientation and not be thrown into wolves like I was in nursing. We are dealing with patient's lives. We can't afford to just be thrown in like that It's dangerous. I refuse to work like that.

EwaAnn · Feb 2, 2015

Congrats to all that have made -- or are about to make -- a change to a better life!
You'll all likely end up living longer / being happier as a result.

I left a nursing home job. Went to my MD for my yearly follow up. Had an EKG done which was abnormal. My MD said "that job could have killed you".

EwaAnn · Feb 2, 2015

Since I am wanting to get away from clinic/bedside care type nursing as an LPN, I have juggled the idea of surgical tech & medical coding. Anyone here worked in medical coding or considered switching to it? I want a desk job, I'm sure of it, if I don't go in to surgical technology. I worked for a local private doctor for a while in 2011, and did some phone triage & prior authorizations there. Yes, it got stressful, but I liked it soooo much better than the floor nursing there. I would almost go to tears when it was time for me to get up from the desk & get back on the floor.
That office had a picnic table out back that us nurses ate lunch at. There was another private doctor's office next door to us, & the receptionists & coders from that office would eat lunch with us some days. I remember talking to the coder from that office one day, & she said she loved her job. She said she made about the same pay as the nurses there, and she was a lot let stressed than them. I've heard coders can make decent money. My local community college also offers a coding program that I'm interested in as well. Any comments would be appreciated, thanks! :)

I too am considering medical billing and coding myself. I just can't afford to go back to school though.

andreasmom02 · Feb 10, 2015

I too am considering medical billing and coding myself. I just can't afford to go back to school though.

I did decide to go in to coding, and am glad I did. I already love the coding material I'm starting to learn. I am doing a community college certificate program for it (all online). I am hoping to be an LPN, CPC some day. I went to visit my aunt in the hospital the other day, and I didn't even like being in the hospital what little time I was there, let alone working in one now. Nursing is definitely a wonderful career for some, with so many job possibilities.... It just isn't for everyone, including me... lol