Leaving nursing. Has anyone else done it? How?

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Well, I've now been a nurse for thirteen years, and I'm ready to call it a career. I truly, truly am.

I honestly don't want to hear "oh please don't leave, nursing needs you". I'd rather hear from anyone who has left nursing; what did you do next? I'm considering starting my own business. I'm considering living off my artistic talent, which isn't bad. I have an art degree and worked as a graphic designer before becoming a nurse.

I even put in an application with the local school system to drive a bus.

I guess I could go work at Wal Mart. Im just afraid that I won't make enough money to sustain us.

As far as why I'm leaving... I've had so many nursing jobs in the past thirteen years, I've lost count. I'm tired. I'm tired of jumping from job to job. I dislike everything about the field at this point. Everything. I don't even want a desk job. About the only job I would consider at this point is school nurse, and that job is hard to come by around here. I can't teach because I only have an associate's degree. Going back to school is not an option.

Thanks.

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I am sorry to hear this.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I can understand your frustration and burn-out. School nursing in my neck of the woods is BSN only. In my flights of fancy, I am imagining some type of "concierge nursing" whereby individuals can purchase your services to do nurse-y stuff... paying cash of course. Many people are flummoxed by filling out insurance forms, doing self-care things (injections, dressing changes, etc) or even helping coach them with grocery shopping. I know a 'parish nurse' who works with her local church - doing everything from immunizations to BP screening. Sounds like a sweet gig.

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I know a couple who are in the process of walking away and a few more have done so. Several work retail.

Are you you the only wage earner in your family?

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Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

Several years ago I quit nursing for a period of 6 years. I stayed home and did childcare. My kids were young and I wanted to spend more time with them. I see you have a baby. You could specialize in babies, and people would appreciate the fact that you are a nurse. You could do this for a couple years, then go back to nursing. You can make good money by providing quality child care. It's not art, but t's also not nursing.

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I know one ex nurse who works in a book store - she did not renew her license after some while - she is close to retirement age and is sure she won't do anything nursing related.

I know one nurse who opened her own business, some form of private duty /companion company.

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Specializes in ER, Med/Surg.
some form of private duty /companion company.

Is that legal? :sarcastic:

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.

Good luck. I envy you. I cannot live on walmart wages, but if I could, I would.

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Is that legal? :sarcastic:

Apparently it is - she has good business...

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Well... Just since I posted this, the agency that I work for has offered me a position that I think I will like. It's a contract/permanent position. So... May put off retirement just a bit longer.

:)

Someone mentioned church/Parrish nursing... There was a job posted for a very large Christian church in my area, and I thought it would be a nice gig. Problem is that they expect you to be there mainly on the weekends when church is open of course, and it's just too far away to consider transferring my whole family's membership to that church. Wish my own church had that position. We are big but not really that big.

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Specializes in ICU, Military.

Move to Vegas and get a job as one of those "Hangover Nurses" lol. They are truly a thing lol. People go out, get massively wasted, and call a company the next morning that sends a nurse to their house to give them a bag of fluid. Apparently its legal...

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Move to Vegas and get a job as one of those "Hangover Nurses" lol. They are truly a thing lol. People go out, get massively wasted, and call a company the next morning that sends a nurse to their house to give them a bag of fluid. Apparently its legal...

wow!! I just googled hangover nurse and it is a real thing! You sometimes just wonder...

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