Anyone left nursing TOTALLY...what are you doing now?

Nurses General Nursing

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I think about it often! But then wonder WHAT would I do? Sometimes I think a "non-bedside" type of position is the answer; however, they are NOT easy to get, and.....I feel like I just want to be away from physicians, illness, sadness, etc....

Missing the days long ago when I was a bank teller!!! (too bad the pay is nothing like nursing.....but I'm realizing money isn't my priority anymore!) I'd LOVE to hear from people who have left nursing, (and why, if you want to share)....and whatcha doing now? :D

Specializes in ICU.

.S.... a couple years ago, I needed a break from nursing and took courses in Medical Transcription....the option to work from home!!! WOW! Too bad EVERY company wanted a minimum of 2 years experience, AND----LOL, my speed really isn't that great, AND, I cannot imagine typing for 8 hours a day and not interacting with people.

Few months later, I learned CODING.....I'm VERY good at details and I COULD be good at it, but--again, getting a job without experience is IMPOSSIBLE!!! UGH!!!!

My hubby and nurse friends laugh...."oh, but you're such a good nurse".....ughhh, they're NOT listening....I'm TIRED!!!!!!

YOU may want to try a clinical documentation specialist. Its the RN side of coding, I take the chart while the pt is still admitted and I code it based on the little I know about coding rules. Ive been doing it 6 months and love it. Our department is the clinical documentation managment program (CDMP) hospitals have different names for it, start asking around thats the only way I happened into it.

Yes it is challenging, more so than bedside. You have to have a good understanding of patho. For instance, how does a GIB cause endocarditis?? The GIB is a bleeding ulcer pt also has thrush, the yeast in the gut then has passage to the blood stream, the bacteria make a home on the valves and then endocarditis. And you thought a GIB was just smelly....

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Specializes in CVICU.

I don't know if this counts as being totally out of nursing, but about a year ago I was hired to start a clinical informatics department at my facility. I have found that this is truly my calling and I love it in a way I never could have loved bedside nursing. Our team is currently working on implementing CPOE and it's really an exciting thing to be a part of. Informatics is a rapidly growing field. If you're computer savvy and like to teach and plan, it might be something you'd enjoy too!

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Specializes in NICU, Peds, Med-Surg.

canchaser---that is something I think I would really enjoy! I have applied for positions like this, but never even gotten an interview. By the way, that GIB example was interesting....I would not have known all of that!

WOW on the NCLEX review nurse! I could TOTALLY see myself doing that--I LOVE to teach!

....Speaking of teaching, where I am, only RN's with a Master's can teach in LPN programs. I'm hoping I will magically become motivated to to and get my Master's...LOL! I can also see enjoying that very much. I REALLY enjoy teaching students when they're in our facility, and I REALLY enjoy teaching helping, and sharing helpful tips with new grads---the ones that are motivated and enthusiastic, that is!

Managing a Kroger or another type of grocery store also sounds cool. I have always wondered about all the behind-the-scenes careers at grocery stores, wondered about things like how on EARTH they know how much to order, how do they keep track of the expiration dates of allllllll those products, etc.

Thank you to all who replied....I can't wait to see more responses! :)

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What are you basing this on? I have had several friends that are RN's without a BSN that are teaching in LPN programs.

Wow, really? What I am basing this on is the law in the state of Indiana. Actually, I made a mistake, legally you must have at minimum a BSN to teach LPNs. I am basing this on the Ind. State BON's educational subcommittee meeting minutes from July, 2008. I originally thought it was a master's degree that was required, I was basing that on employment ads I have read for nurse educators for the LPN programs in my area. 'Masters degree preferred, masters prepared will be considered'.

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I've been thinking about leaving for quite some time now. It's been 4 1/2 years and it's just not getting any better. I feel like I have NO transferrable skills. I'm definitely not a sales person and wouldn't succeed at that. I've been looking for insurance jobs and of course haven't had any luck. I've been seriously contemplating going back to school for Occupational therapy. Anyone heard of an RN doing such a thing? Or even PT? I know that going back for your NP makes the most sense, but I don't want to prescribe medications or work in management. I feel like OT would allow me to work with patients 1:1 which I like, but also have a normal schedule. Any thoughts anyone??

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I've been thinking about leaving for quite some time now. It's been 4 1/2 years and it's just not getting any better. I feel like I have NO transferrable skills. I'm definitely not a sales person and wouldn't succeed at that. I've been looking for insurance jobs and of course haven't had any luck. I've been seriously contemplating going back to school for Occupational therapy. Anyone heard of an RN doing such a thing? Or even PT? I know that going back for your NP makes the most sense, but I don't want to prescribe medications or work in management. I feel like OT would allow me to work with patients 1:1 which I like, but also have a normal schedule. Any thoughts anyone??

OT would be a good field. It is my back-up plan since I already have most of the OT pre-reqs completed (many are the same for nursing school). They make good money, less stress, less liability.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

I have only been a nurse for a few months and I am already thinking about doing something else LOL. Seriously, I cannot see myself being a nurse doing all the work for 10 or 20 years. I plan to go back to school and get another degree. Then, I'd go to professional school (or something). Nursing is hard on the body (and mind).

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Specializes in wound care.

man sounds like a rough spot to be in , you wana be care though not to burn out cause then your gona end up hurting some and be kicked out of nursing , and nobody wants that . were i work there are nursing who dont work with pt theres the mds coordinator who handles all the medicare stuff , and the dsd who is the staff director and does the schedule, i dont no why nurses do those jobs but they do

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Specializes in LTC currently.
Hurst Review?

Martin's Review

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I would LOVE to get out of nursing..have done it for over 20 yrs and that does not count the nursing assistant years while in college and working on my degree. I get the same thing.."you are such a good nurse" - for me personally, it's reached the point where I almost get physically ill thinking about going back into the hospital setting and yet, the only place that offers the money and flexibility, at least where I'm at, IS the hospital. I have chosen one about an hour from my home, it's a large, very nice, very well run hospital so that is one plus. I think for me, healthcare has not only changed but I have weathered some major personal losses over the past 9 years and that has changed me as well. I think some of the nursing now hits a little too close to home for me and I have a difficult time removing my personal emotions from the situation..I mean who needs a nurse to get teary just from walking in a patients room and seeing a daughter in her 40's holding her 70+ yrs old parents hand knowing the time to say goodbye is close? Before I would manage it, now, no. My health (emotional) has deteriorated a LOT over the past few years...I "see" that in what I read in many, many of the posts here...the sadness and exhaustion..eventually healthcare will have to level out, nurses and doctors are leaving at alarming rates so something will give.

OT would be a good path, Nuclear Med techs make a TON of money as well and have options. Good luck. I hope you find your way out soon

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If you have a RN you can teach LPNs? If you have a Master's degree maybe, but nothing less than that. A RN with a AS or BS degree may be able to teach a nursing assistant course but not LPN/LVNs!!

At community colleges, some of the nursing instructors have only a BSN. My RN instructors in the ADN program all had Masters. I have a friend that teaches in the LPN program. She only has her BSN. The other instructor only has her BSN, as well.

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