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

I would love to have the information you are studying. Thanks!

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I think we worked for the same company... home based in KY but mainly in St.Petesburg. Never learned how much I could hate a job and company. Co-workers were nasty and if you think working from home you miss out of the BS from being in an office...well you are very wrong..

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I would love to have the information you are studying. Thanks!

Who is your comment for?

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I think we worked for the same company... home based in KY but mainly in St.Petesburg. Never learned how much I could hate a job and company. Co-workers were nasty and if you think working from home you miss out of the BS from being in an office...well you are very wrong..

I think everyone is different. I have an in law who works from home and has for years. She loves it. I'm a stay at home mom and work PRN as an LPN. I really need a job where I can mostly be home. I don't think any job is easy, that's why it's called a job... whether you work from home or out of the home.

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Are you being a little testy today. Yes, we all know why they are called "jobs", get real.

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"Testy?" I wasn't trying to be rude or testy. Sorry you felt I was. Just asking a question & making a comment that was within subject of the discussion. There are so many nurses who are hard to work with, who are quick to anger as well, another reason I want to work from home.. I rest my case...

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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.

yeah, and they'd find themselves hiding in a patient bathroom crying too.

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.

It's difficult to change to a non-nursing career. Employers don't give you a chance. Once your nursing credentials are listed as LPN or RN, they question why your applying for a non-nursing job. I've had a nursing job for 26 years. Unfortunately, I'm not retirement age. My 26 year job may be near the end as I suspect my employer has hired my replacement who is in training. So where do I go now, when I can no longer tolerate the politics of the job and there are few nursing jobs available. I feel employers don't think nurses have transferable skills. Years ago, a nurse could transition to another specialty, but this is not easily done today. Your stuck in your specialty until you find a similar job. New nurses really need a career plan, a goal, so they can work their way up to the skills and positions they may want in the future. An older nurse who has remained with an employer for years has limited job prospects. It's best to move around, further one's education early in your nursing career, and if you want a non-nursing career, stay clear of nursing education.

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It's difficult to change to a non-nursing career. Employers don't give you a chance. Once your nursing credentials are listed as LPN or RN, they question why your applying for a non-nursing job. I've had a nursing job for 26 years. Unfortunately, I'm not retirement age. My 26 year job may be near the end as I suspect my employer has hired my replacement who is in training. So where do I go now, when I can no longer tolerate the politics of the job and there are few nursing jobs available. I feel employers don't think nurses have transferable skills. Years ago, a nurse could transition to another specialty, but this is not easily done today. Your stuck in your specialty until you find a similar job. New nurses really need a career plan, a goal, so they can work their way up to the skills and positions they may want in the future. An older nurse who has remained with an employer for years has limited job prospects. It's best to move around, further one's education early in your nursing career, and if you want a non-nursing career, stay clear of nursing education.

I'm a 35 year old LPN. This is why I have decided not to pursue my RN, and work on a medical coding degree. Many hospitals in some areas no longer hire us LPNs. I figure since a lot of hospitals consider LPNs a vocational type nurse (even though I went to college and took college credits to get my LPN through an LPN-RN bridge program), not getting my RN makes me more marketable as a medical coder. Where I live LPNs typically work in LTC, or clinic settings. Most local hospitals hire RNs. Some hospitals hire a few LPNs here in there. If you're lucky enough to know someone in the hospital, sometimes you can get an LPN job in one. Personally, I'm tired of nursing, & tip my hat to those who can endure it 30 years. I became an LPN in '07, but have never really liked it. I loved learning the medical terminology/anatomy portion, but never liked floor nursing. That's why I recently decided to become a medical coder. Just hoping I can get a job at it. I know an RN who is a post master now. She only worked a couple of years as an RN before realizing it wasn't for her. I know another RN who is a cashier in a grocery store. She told me she just couldn't take the nursing stress anymore. She lost almost her whole pay check after becoming a cashier, but said it was worth it for less stress! It doesn't seem easy to land a non nursing job after getting a nursing license, but it is possible sometimes it seems.

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Specializes in peds, allergy-asthma, ob/gyn office.

I am leaving my high stress position in one month!! It is in a clinic, but a very, very dysfunctional one. Around here, mainly it's LTC, corrections, Dr. Offices, or a handful of LPN clinic jobs that are affiliated with the hospital system. I returned to clinic nursing after a long break at home. This really was the final act for me as far as patient care. I am done. I have a lead on a per visit case management job. Failing that... or possibly in addition to that... I am going to work for my father in law managing his rental properties. I looked into coding/HIM but after so many online discussion of how it is impossible to start as a non experienced coder, I gave up.

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Smart... I did a coding/billing class and couldn't find a job. I do understand..

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Smart... I did a coding/billing class and couldn't find a job. I do understand..

I'm hoping I can get a job at it, I really am... But am a little nervous that I may not find one. There are a few hospitals/clinics that hire coders in my area. Keeping my fingers crossed to get some experience and then maybe code from home... Even if I have to drive a long distance for a while, I'm willing to so I can get experience...

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