Changing to a non-nursing career?

Nurses Retired

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Hello!!

I was wondering if I am alone in what I have done? I have been an RN since 1991. I have worked in Nursing homes and Home Health moslty, with some time in Cardiac Rehab and with mentally handicapped. This year as my baby headed to Kindergarden (along with my 3rd and 5th graders), I accepted a position as a para-professional (teacher aide) in the Special Ed department of our local school. Having just 2 weeks under my belt - I love it! I am excited to get up and go to work everyday. My kids ride with me to school, and then home with me again. No daycare. No more nights/weekends/holidays. I am getting close to all the kids in my classroom and am looking forward to helping them this year and many to come. Anyone else find more fullfillment after switching careers??? I feel like I totally picked the wrong field so many years ago, LOL!

Denise

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I don't feel like I picked the wrong career path, even though I'm burned out and can no longer do nursing. I had a good career for the most part, and I expected to be able to stick with it till I was ready to retire (at 66 or 70, not 55). But the stress of it all eventually worsened the course of a disease process I didn't even know I had until I was 53, and in retrospect I believe it made the difference between my illness remaining sub-clinical and going into full-blown disease.

I am, however, finding out that I don't have many transferable skills. I can thread an IV catheter into a dehydrated 80-year-old vein, but I lack the skills to work in a clinic as a receptionist. I can catheterize almost anyone, but I can't make a proper latte to save my soul. I can't even handle the physical side of the work anymore. So I'm either going to have to get training for something else, or allow my disability case to proceed and hope for the best. I'd rather work, if I could find something with little to no stress and regular hours. But it's not looking too good right now.

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Specializes in Trauma, Cardiac.

To passionflower -

An apology is due from me for being so slow in responding to your helpful and interesting post. I posted elsewhere about me being occupied for the past few months in being nurse to my older cat. Made me feel needed again. I've thought of opening a flower shop, or a musical instrument store, or ??? No experience in these fields, even though I have transferable soft skills. An online store isi probably my best option. However, I'm interested to learn more about the company you started - I like mentoring and don't know how to get started. Would you be willing to send me a private message about it - website address if you have one? I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Apology not necessary, A... but appreciated.

Happy that my message connected with you.

Stay on your new path!

Sorry about kitty.

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Specializes in OB, Women’s health, Educator, Leadership.

You can pm me. Don't want to violate terms.

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.

Hi. juts visiting this post again. On my way to finding a non nursing career, I decided to pursue an education in medical coding, so I entered a medical certificate program for entry to "medical coding specialist". After completion of this program, I can test to gain certification through AHIMA, a medical coding exam organization. The certification program is about 14 months, and I have about 6 left to complete. It's not exactly a dream career, but it's a way out of nursing with the possibility of still using my nursing background to get employed. The program is somewhat expensive.

I'm having second thoughts about this expensive program. I'm still in nursing and my employer's electronic medical system requires that nurses and physicians code orders or med. administration as we chart. A friend working at a senior nursing home medical records department tells me her hours were reduced now that electronic records are regularly in use. I'm wondering if this is the case with other electronic medical records. Do nurses using Epic or other electronic health records do their own medical coding or assigning of icd 9 codes. I realize we may soon be going to icd 10 coding. However, my concern is how many electronic med. records require medical coding during the charting process? In which case I'm wasting my money, because there is no need for certified coding specialist. Any thoughts?

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When I spoke about my desire to look into coding, my daughter who works in a hospital told me promptly not to waste my money or my time. She said her hospital was starting the switch to EHR and that most hospitals are doing the same, with the need/demand for coders dwindling accordingly.

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I'm an LPN currently working on a coding certification. I have seen several job openings for coders in my area. I also see work from home coding positions as well. I really hope I'm able to get a job in coding. I have to get out of nursing. I really don't like it. Nursing is too stressful for me. I'm 34/F with two kids. I need a job with flexible hours as a mom.

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.

I just don't know about the medical coding. So far, I'm staying with it because I have to try something and I don't know what else to do with my nursing education and background.

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If you're able to insert IVs so well, have you considered applying for Phlebotomist positions? Seems like a job that doesn't require heavy lifting or a lot of the things nurses hate about their jobs. Also, some insurance companies hire people to go to homes to do phlebotomy and simple exams to check eligibility for life insurance.

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Specializes in NICU, Peds, Med-Surg.

Hi, I hope all of you who are looking for new opportunities are doing well! :) I have posted about this on another thread

before, and I'll be curious if anyone here has experienced this, also. I've had interviews for several non-nursing positions,

(and I was thankful just to GET AN INTERVIEW, since those aren't easy to get !!!) The question I get SO tired of is about

the MONEY.....it's as though the interviewer(s) just can NOT believe that a nurse is okay with less money.

I want to tell them "look, I'm not stupid,---of COURSE I know you pay admissons clerks a lot less than i used

to make----the money isn't the POINT!"

It almost made me laugh when I landed an interview as an admissions clerk and there were THREE people in the interview,

so extremely serious and concerned that I wouldn't be able to leave nursing behind, and they seemed incredulous that I would accept a third of what I used to make. I almost wanted to say "why did you even waste your time interviewing me?"

One concern I've always had is that I'm afraid the interviewer might wonder if I'm seeking new employment because of a

legal issue/ some horrific mistake I made in nursing ( none of those have happened, thank Goodness!!!)...I just think they might also wonder because as I said before---some can't believe that we're okay with less money.....

So, here's a question for those keeping your license active (as I am)----do you mention that your license is

unencumbered, still fully valid, etc? I realize they're probably going to check the State Board website anyway, (although

maybe many non-healthcare employers don't realize that it's public record???).....That's why I go ahead and say my license

in in good standing, but that I am just seeking a new career because nursing has become too stressful, etc etc etc.

I know I'd be an EXCELLENT unit secretary, admissions clerk, etc....but so far, no luck! I'm also seriously considering

becoming a para professional at an elementary school, too. I have no experience, so I need to find out all the details. I know

a few people who do this, and a few of you have mentioned you love it, and I think I would, too.---is there a ton of bending

and lifting with that job? I also considered becoming

a nursery school teacher, but the ONE thing that's holding me back is that my arthritis/ bursitis is SO extreme some days,

I can barely walk.

Good luck to all of you----I know that after my many years of nursing, I am done, too!!!!!

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Specializes in Managed Care, Onc/Neph, Home Health.

My children are all grown, and stable in their careers. I tell ya, if it wasn't for this mortgage, I would love to get out and work at Dollar General Store, they are popping up on every corner!! I have no other skills, besides nursing, been at it 31 yrs now. I totally understand the sister, that stated, during the interview for the admissions clerk, they were in awe, that you would accept a pay cut. Its not about the money, but your sanity, and enjoying what you are doing. If I could sell this house and rent me and apartment, I WOULD BE DONE. I am so over "things" I have had things. I want a peace of mind. The Circle K is always hiring. I love people, would love to sell lotto tickets, and talk to people...

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I am feeling like changing careers as well. I have been a RN for almost 7 years, right now I work at the VA as intermitten nurse, about 4 times a week. In all honesty, I want to make more money.

I was thinking about going federal contract specialist (aquisitions, GS scale) for 3-4 years and then transition back into nursing on patirick AFB, which I believe is GS pay as well.

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