Career change?

[NurseKey622]

Just wondering if anyone has left nursing to pursue something different in the medical field? Or something different all together? Do you feel like you made the right decision, or do you regret it?

I have been thinking about making a career change, but staying in the medical field. I would keep my license active by maybe working PRN somewhere. But I don’t want to work as a full time nurse the rest of my life. I’m afraid to make the change, but I don’t want to be unhappy anymore either.

I would just like to hear from anyone else who can relate and what you did to change.

thanks!

[jobellestarr]

I would encourage anyone to explore a different avenue of healthcare other than nursing. At one time, I checked out ultrasonography and if you’re a RN, you don’t have to take the full course. Although, I’m at the end of my nursing career, I wish I had become an OT. It would have suited my personality much better (I was an art major in my first college go around), much better for my family and the salary is a lot higher.

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

To me nursing is such a huge field that you dont necessarily have to leave nursing to find a better job. Do you work the floor/unit? I feel like most people who want to leave nursing is because they work at the bedside. Hey Im right there with you. Im looking for something less stressful.

If I had to do it again I would have done something like CT scan/MRI or gone into a trade. You could look at working for a device/equipment company or a pharmaceutical sales company.

[NurseKey622]

I have tried several different areas in nursing such as school nurse, LTC, cardiac, medsurg, and I was even a liaison for a rehab hospital. I have found that physical rehab suits me and that is where I work now, which has led me to want to become a physical therapist assistant. A lot of jobs in my area require a bachelors degree, and I only have my associates. I don’t have any interest in spending more money on a nursing career that I’m not all that happy in already. I have been around therapists for a while now and I think I would be good at it. ??‍♀️

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

That's great. If you want to be a physical therapy assistant you'll need to get an associates degree. Most community colleges have programs.

Yeah, it sucks and makes no sense that hospitals require only a bachelors degree nowadays. Most hospitals will pay for your BSN but I get it not wanting to spend money on it. I am not pursuing a masters right now because I simply dont want to pay for it.