Doing PRN while working in a different profession?

[happyhippo]

Hello,

Lately I’ve been thinking about going back to school and getting a second degree in computer science. I’m just getting increasingly burnt out with my full time nursing job. I’ve tried to switch to an outpatient office and I realized that it was worst than the hospital. So, I came back to the hospital and continued working as an RN. I used to be really passionate about nursing and this passion just wears off in time because of how crappy the healthcare system treats us. I applied to an FNP program but I’m not even sure if I want to do that for the rest of my life. I’m looking to switch to computer science and I’ll try learning about it more. I do plan on keeping my license active because I did work really hard for it. My question is, for those of you who switched career from nursing, do you keep your license active? Has anyone work PRN while working in a totally different profession? Should I pick up PRN shifts even after I get a job in computer science? Anyone made a switch from nursing to computer science or IT related fields? 

[DavidFR, BSN, MSN, RN]

I switched from nursing to TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).

I kept up my license and did agency shifts some weekends all the while I was teaching in a language school during the week. Good that I did because I  then came back to nursing full time, with a completely refreshed view and different outlook.

There are lots of advantages to keeping your hand in. Nursing is one of the few jobs where casual work is abundant. You need extra cash, you go and grab an agency shift. Not many other jobs have that capacity. Being a registered nurse meant that in my TEFL job I could claim specialist rates of pay when I taught medical English to doctors, nurses, people in the pharmaceutical industry etc.  

I then I decided to nurse again full time. Having kept up my registration I didn't have to go through the bother of re-applying, back to nursing programs and all the rest of it. I was still a registered nurse so I just got a job. You may  feel burned out now but you never know what the future holds or how your nursing licence may come in handy again. Don't give it up unless you're absolutely sure you'll never need it again would be my advice.