I Don't Want To Be A Nurse

Updated:   Published

Alternative Career Paths For Nursing

I wanted to make a post on here because I've been having a really hard time as of late and I wanted to see if anyone could offer some advice. I graduated from nursing school in Summer 2021 and during my capstone project, I realized I really didn't want to be a nurse. I've held a couple of nursing jobs now, I got an offer for Med/Surg right out of school that I originally accepted but eventually backed out after basically having a mental breakdown LOL. I've had a couple of nursing jobs since then including psych and research and aesthetics because I wanted to see if getting away from the bedside would help at all, but it's all ended the same. I always end up a sobbing, anxious mess and I eventually quit. I really can't go on this way anymore, thinking about forcing myself to work as a nurse just makes me more and more depressed. I know it's not just new grad nerves and it's going to get better, my other nursing friends are all new grads and they're able to deal with the stress. I am just not wired to be a nurse, I can't do it.

What should I do? I'm really upset with the thought of having to leave this degree behind but I also know I cannot work as a nurse. Is there any kind of other degree I can add onto my BSN? Or does anyone have any ideas of alternate career paths? Thank you for any and all thoughts you can give. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing, Home Health.

Hello! 

I am so sorry you are unhappy in the roles you've tried. I do have to say that you picked a great undergrad regardless if you don't want to do bedside. 

Personally, I NEVER wanted to be a bedside nurse. Thinking about being in a hospital as a bedside nurse still gives me the heebe-gebeez. LOL. 

With that said, there is SO much you can you with your degree. Depending where you live you may have some awesome community/public health opportunities around you. 

When I was a very new nurse (can't believe it's been 7 years!) I quickly befriended an older seasoned nurse. She has become my mentor and helped me feel secure in my knowledge many times. After all, remember you passed your NCLEX so there is something up there ? 

I would say try a few different roles that are non clinical, not hands off. What do you like to do? what are your strengths? Why did you become a nurse in the first place? Answer those questions and then branch off and do a job search. 

Feel free to send me a message if you want to chat more, I always feel for you new nurses because I remember being there. Take care!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
On 3/29/2022 at 10:18 PM, emma8989 said:

Hey everyone! 

I wanted to make a post on here because I’ve been having a really hard time as of late and I wanted to see if anyone could offer some advice. I graduated from nursing school in Summer 2021 and during my capstone project, I realized I really didn’t want to be a nurse. I’ve held a couple of nursing jobs now, I got an offer for Med/Surg right out of school that I originally accepted but eventually backed out after basically having a mental breakdown LOL. I’ve had a couple of nursing jobs since then including psych and research and aesthetics because I wanted to see if getting away from the bedside would help at all, but it’s all ended the same. I always end up a sobbing, anxious mess and I eventually quit. I really can’t go on this way anymore, thinking about forcing myself to work as a nurse just makes me more and more depressed. I know it’s not just new grad nerves and it’s going to get better, my other nursing friends are all new grads and they’re able to deal with the stress. I am just not wired to be a nurse, I can’t do it.

What should I do? I’m really upset with the thought of having to leave this degree behind but I also know I cannot work as a nurse. Is there any kind of other degree I can add onto my BSN? Or does anyone have any ideas of alternate career paths? Thank you for any and all thoughts you can give. 

You always end up a "sobbing, anxious mess."  Are you sure the job is making you anxious or are you bringing anxiety issues into the the job?  Have you spoken to a professional about this?  Every single nurse is "wired" differently.  Please consider having your circuits checked.  

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Author, Psych, Palliative, Wound Care.

As others have remarked, the world of employment is your oyster when it comes to nursing. Think about what you love or are good at doing. Do you love computers? There are many avenues in healthcare IT, such as writing or evaluating charting software, troubleshooting glitches that impede nurses from documenting care.

Human resources - (would be such a novelty in my part of the world to have an HR manager that was actually a nurse!?) Recruitment and retention of nurses also Spring to mind.

Pharmaceutical sales, if you like sales and meeting people.

Insurance companies hire all the time for their compliance depts and as case managers.

Fitness instructor, life coach, run your own nursing agency, records review, Lamaze instructor, instruct new hires how to use facility documentation software.

If you're good at writing, approach pharmaceutical companies about writing their brochures. You could also proofread, edit medical and scientific papers.

Advertising - get into a facility's PR dept.

There are so many channels open to you as a nurse, I hope you investigate them all before you toss your hard-earned degree aside!

 

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Having the same crisis as OP and I wanted to say thanks for your post. 

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology.

You could try OR. Personally, if I had to do it all over again, id do an associates program for RT (radiation tech), Nuclear med tech, radiation therapist. Those jobs all make really good money and you don't have to deal with the BS that RNs have to deal with. 

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
1 hour ago, OUxPhys said:

You could try OR

The OR is not the dumping ground for those looking to get away from other kinds of nursing. There truly needs to be an interest in it or it'll just be a repeat. It comes with an amazingly steep learning curve and its own challenges.

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community health.

I work outpatient and I really like it.  My job is much lower stress (or, maybe I should say, it's a different type of stress) than working in a hospital.

That being said, you should also take a moment to consider what the prior poster said-- are you sure nursing is the problem?  Have you had other jobs you've enjoyed (even something like waiting tables or working retail before you went to nursing school)?  If so, then yes, maybe you just need to change careers. But if every job you've ever had has turned you into "an anxious mess," maybe the problem is inside, not outside!

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

I felt the same way as a new grad. I kept telling myself that I will stick it out 2 years to pay of my debt and student loans then find something else to do. I was a mess my first year and then it became easier and easier. Good luck to you.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds.

 currently here because I have felt the exact same way since I became a nurse in 2019. I'm trying, fighting for my life every day because I really want to sleep and not wake up. I went through hell the beginning and I thought I would finally rest or be OK but no. I'm severely and constantly stressed. I'm looking for a low stress nursing job and I don’t know what. I just don't want to feel that all the year I worked hard for this degree was useless. I'm afraid working as a nurse is going to lead to me ending my life. I just want to rest ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing, Home Health.
2 minutes ago, TheRn said:

 I'm afraid working as a nurse is going to lead to me ending my life. I just want to rest ?

TheRN, 

Pleases seek professional help if you feel that way. You may have some underlying things you need to unwind first before looking into another profession. I am genuinely concerned with your above comment. Please reach out to somebody to get help. 

8
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds.

Thank you for your response and concern. Unfortunately, I have and it didn't help because it's the job. My job is making me feel this way so no matter what I do, feeling depressed, upset and hopeless in my career is what is leading Me to this path. I was perfectly fine before.  At this point I'm actually afraid of bothering people with this. I just have no where else to look to

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion