Leaving Nursing for Another Career

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Has anyone thought about or actually left nursing for another career? What non-nursing career would you be interested in?

I would like to do something anatomy/lab/research related, with a predictable work environment, routine, minimal patient contact, and lots of science!

Specializes in ICU.
That is what I left to become a nurse! Not gonna lie though... I have some regrets! I joke with my coworkers that if I could do it all over I would just be a night shift grocery stocker talking to my cans of beans all night. :roflmao:

If science is what you're interested in have you considered clinical trials?

I am currently trying to figure out how I can work from home and then ultimately the Caribbean. So far case management and telephone triage seem to be the only possible portals. I need to do some HW on big pharma opportunities as well.

Case management is still talking to people too much for me.

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I opted for the arts. I'm now a photographer and unlike so many others I'm actually making money at it. It was my dream since the 80s.

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Specializes in GENERAL.

I would like to manufacture escalator shoes for those who get nauseated in elevator shoes.

This way I could continue to do well while doing good. (for humanity) :whistling:

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Thanks to everyone who suggested clinical research, I'll definitely look into it after I have some more experience :)

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hi

I left nursing ten years ago and joined research in pharmaceutical industry. Very intersting, challenging and good salary, excellent work life balance. I love it but still miss work in critical care unit and ER.

It is worth a try to leave nursing because work conditions are much better. But you will never find such a rewarding job like nursing. At least this is my opinion.

Do they require BSN degree for this kind of position?

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I feel the same way at the moment, I enjoy nursing but toxic condescending colleagues makes me want to quit this profession. I have always wanted to run my own business, just a little take away shop or a food van would be ideal and something that I know I would enjoy. In terms of sticking within a medical field I think I would have preferred to have been a physiotherapist or a diabetic educator or something along that line. For now I will pursue nursing, perhaps change areas and see if that leads me anywhere different.

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Specializes in Home Health.
I kind of want to open a series of classes for 'adulting' some day. Basic cooking and grocery shopping, how to sew on a button, how to clean a house, how to do laundry, what is credit and why is it necessary, the steps needed to buy a car or a house, how to create a household budget, how to do simple investments, what saving for retirement really means in a world with few pensions, etc..etc..

I think I'd make a fortune and possibly save the world. ;)

Did I write this post? Haha, I'm 28 and my parents came to the US 30 years ago. We've pretty much been learning the ropes of "life" together. This class would have surely saved us a few setbacks. But then again, there's no experience like good ol' life experience.

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Specializes in Home Health.
When I was in my early 20s I originally wanted to teach high-school science. But after my first college speech class I found I couldn't speak in front of crowds. Ten years later, I graduate from nursing school and have 2 years experience...my confidence is much MUCH improved....but to take a pay cut? Maybe when I start to burn out.

I've always wanted to teach also. I have my TTE(Teaching The Educator Certificate) and have taught CNA class's and clinicals, maybe in a couple of years I'll pick up weekend clinicals for an RN or LPN program. That may be something to look into. :up:

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Specializes in Home Health.

Wife, Mother, Life Coach, Superstar. I've been a nurse for 4 years now, LPN-> RN-> BSN. LTC & Rehab, School Nurse, Home Health Case Manager, Teaching, a PeriOp course and sooner than later the ED, Travel Nursing and maybe an AP degree (not sure in what yet). Working from home will be very nice one day once God sends me a great husband & beautiful little babies:dummy1:. Until then to the bedside I go!

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I would love to be a professional cat snuggler

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I combined my nursing career with my paralegal career/risk management/legal nurse consultant and work full time reviewing medical records and assisting with plaintiff/defendant medical malpractice for a large firm. I love it! I was a paralegal before I became a RN (since 1989 as paralegal, 1997 as RN).

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I can't think of anything so I'll just go to work.

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