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

[nervousnurse]

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?

[Biffbradford]

Working on my CDL (commercial driving license)

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Lol Biff - I might be there soon!

I already have a B license in order to drive the fire-truck.

[ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN]

I'm hoping to open a medical marijuana dispensary next year.

[mntcra]

I left nursing August 14th, 2011. I was working in a Dallas hospital doing Med-Surg and after five months, I turned in my two weeks resignation. I have been an RN for 12 yrs and have had enough of the beurocracy and all the bs that goes with it and decided it was time to leave. I am not working at this point but am looking for work along the lines of case management, diabetic educator or bariatric coordinator. I have an MS in nutrition and would love to use my BSN and nutrition background to do teaching, but the economy is tough right now and I am unemployed. To be honest I am glad to leave the bedside then have the headache of dealing with those who do not understand our profession and make impossible demands that may harm patients.

[Hotnurse06]

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!!

An LPN can absolutely teach CNA courses. My friend teaches and she's an LPN.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

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'.

Depends on the state for requirements. When I attended LVN school we had RNs with BSN's teach. That's California.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

I've been disabled for 7 1/2 years.....and miss nursing a LOT. It was not my choice to leave. My body broke. I do keep my license active- CEUs, etc. It's mine, and I earned. it. I've had it for 26 years.

Nursing is hard. But having it taken away is harder. JME. :)

[leftmy<3elsewhere]

Ive been a nurse for 31ys;Im 53 now and plan on working for at least another 10-12 yrs but Iam so sick of sick people;I know very sad to say!! I just recently left my full time private case of 16yrs;because my quad client was blaming me for all his pain!! long story ( but refuses a theapeutic dose of meds for neuropathic pain)and wanted to change my shift to evenings and cut my hours by 16! I refused and ended up quitting.I am job hunting at this point but I need a break from nursing for sure and the idea of just working in a very quiet library someplace sounds appealing;if you get my drift lol.I cannot be in it for the cash either as long as I can pay the bills Im fine! Hopefully I will find something soon;8-4 m-f only; no nights weekends or holidays with full benefits sounds good but is not realistic in the nursing world.I remember being 18 and telling my mom I wanted to go to nursing school I thought she would be thrilled but the first thing out of her mouth was Oh they have terrible hours and why dont you do somthing more pleasant!! Moms wisdom is the best and now at 84 she is telling me dont you think youve done it long enough??? I really do think so;but what to do???? any more ideas would be great!!

You can try to find an OR job. That's what I do, and most people on my team work 7-3:30. We only work Monday-Friday, with 1 weekday call each week and one weekend call each month. 2 random months each year, we don't even have to have a weekend call. Holidays off. One summer holiday on call, one winter holiday on call. It's a sweet gig. Look into it.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

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

Yep, I went to school with several people who now teach LPN programs as RN's.

[Eleven011]

After being an RN for 20+ years, I left and am now working as a teachers aide at our local school. I get to play with first graders all day :) Much happier.

[ANNIENURSEANGEL]

I would love to have my own bakery, maybe make breads, pasteries, and donuts. I would love to be my own boss. My parents owned their own business, and it was alot of work, but also rewarding. If, I ever leave nursing, that is what I would like to do.

[morningland]

I am realizing that I HATE nursing. I suck at charting, remember all the pointless little tasks, and am just not willing to waste any more of the precious time in life striving for somethat that is so freaking difficult. The worst is when you try so hard and go home feeling awful. **** nursing, lol, part of me seriously regrets going into it. I am considering just.... i don't know, really. The ONLY thing I like about nursing is placing IV's, drawing labs, and talking to patients. Money is really nice to have, but whats the point if I consistently feel worthless while I am earning it?

I always felt that I just needed to "try harder" and "focus more", then I saw a study that showed 60% of new nurses totally leave the field in their first three years. 60%!!!! That means, statistically, the average person only has a 40% chance of succeeding in this field. That say A LOT, and it helped me realize that I don't ALWAYS have to make myself miserable for such a job.

The happiest time of my life was when I had NO money, before I went into nursing.