Successful Non-Nursing Job

[pnurseuwm]

I've come to the realization that nursing is just not for me. I've tried 3 different times within the year and I've pretty much made up my mind. At this point I owe many student loans and scholarships specifically for my nursing degree, I have other bills, can't afford to go back to school for anything else, and get the "no call back" from non-nursing jobs I have applied for (3 different jobs have point blank told me that I am "over qualified" and will leave their job soon to go back to nursing for more money! They all seem to be hung up on the money thing and my Bachelor's degree).

I was wondering if anyone could possible give me some pointers. Has anyone on this board completely left nursing (I mean not a director of nursing, not a nursing case manager, NOTHING in nursing) or do anyone of you know someone who has? Specifically WHAT jobs are you doing and what jobs did you apply for? This is the second time that I have tried to get out of nursing. The first time was a big gigantic flop, I went back to it, hated it still and quit again very soon. I feel totally closed in. It seems like people in other professions can leave their professions and move on to other things more easily than those trying to leave nursing.

Can anyone help with job suggestions? Thank you very much.

[jjjoy, LPN]

I'm so sorry to hear your difficulties! It took me about 5 months to land my job. Can you do some kind of temp work to help pay the bills? A local nursing agency was able to send me to a few "easy" nursing posts (eg. a small private, well-staffed inpatient facility). Have you tried office temp work? I was on file with several local agencies and got zero calls. But I know folks who've been able to pick up temp jobs regularly by going through agencies located downtown (meaning fighting commuter traffic, but still regular work). That would've probably been my next step had I not been offered my job when I was.

I know how frustrating it is to hear and see again and again people "turn off" as soon as they hear about the nursing degree.

I personally HATE job hunting! The uncertainty of it is just miserable IMO. I wish you perseverance and good luck!

[pnurseuwm]

Here's a question. What if I want to stay in health care but just not as a nurse? Is it possible for me to be a medical assistant for some clinic? (Atleast I could finally work Mon-Fri and the doctor would pretty much be in control/ have bulk of responsibility). Some medical assistant job postings say "medical assistant certified or like experience." That sounds like my nursing education/ experience includes that. How would that work with my license? Would it be up to the managing doctor of the clinic?

What do you all think?

[JFischer]

This week I decided to quit nursing. I was doing home care with a nationwide agency. I received my first annual LVN evaluation as an RN, BSN and realizing how limited I am in this LVN type job. I felt to continue this job would jeopardize my RN license. My boss restricts contacting the doctor because I work night shift. The LVN I work with don't understand that as an RN I am required to chart the way I do. The agency is going to adopt my charting method to their paperwork. I was promoted to Intermittent Nursing last week. I didn't last long because they don't have time to train a book smart nurse. Even though I had ventillator, ostomy patients etc. , took an RN Refresher class and was one of the best in paperwork in homecare with great attendance I would take too long to train. "You are great. Just come back when you get the clinical training.We need someone who is independent now." I think if you are one of the top in a dead end job it is important to reconsider the question, Is it time to leave nursing? I am looking forward to starting a home business improving medical equipment nurses use in the hospital. I don't know if such a job is possible. All I know is that I am going to try. I never made any money on my current job and figure I can't do worse than I am doing now. Too bad it is difficult to reenter nursing after being there for your family's health needs.

[jjjoy, LPN]

pnurseuwm - I inquired here about working in an LPN role (I'm an RN with a BSN) as a way to ease into the multitude of nursing responsibilities and wasn't much encouraged. Ultimately, though, you're the one who has to get up each morning and face the day, so if you can find a medical office with a role that you think you'd enjoy, then might as well ask them if they'd be willing to hire you. The odds are against you but if you really want to work with patients, then just keep looking and pestering folks til you find something, whatever it is, where they'll hire you.

Some places are pretty desperate to fill the RN role, so even without the preferred experience, you might be given a chance. You could just go in without expecting to love it or be phenomenal. Learn all you can and use that experience to help you find a more clear direction. If you quit after a month, just chalk it up as an educational experience. I'm not particularly comfortable with doing that myself but I can see where it might be a functional strategy, depending on the particulars.

For myself, I had to admit that I just didn't want it that badly. And I've realized that I LIKE working in an office and in a calm, quiet environment - without phones ringing off the hook and people coming and going, etc. I can daydream about a quiet little medical office, with relaxing music playing, where I can take care of patients one at a time, but I know that's not what my personal doctor's office looks like!

JFisher - It's interesting to hear your perspective as an RN-BSN working in an LVN role in home health. I think I can see where you're coming from. And I know the frustration of trying to bridge the gap between education and practice. I hear people on this site advise overwhelmed new grads that perhaps they need to find a less stressful unit to work on... what is that less stressful unit? If you have lower acuity patients, then you've got more of them and almost across the board, even experienced nurses have trouble keeping up with all they're supposed to take care of. Anyway, I'd love to hear back on how you're striking out on your own goes. Good luck with that!

Just a curiosity question in regard to your comment on LVN vs RN charting. How is the charting different? Outside of admission assessments which can usually only be done by RNs, I thought LVN and RN charting would be identical. Do you think it's an issue of LPN vs RN education or of those specific LPNs having self-selected to continue working at an organization that didn't demand better documentation from them?

[NurseAmy]

Why not try to get into clinical research with a company that runs clinical trials? Right now I am working as a clinical research associate, and I promise it is about as far from a nursing job as you can get.

There are a lot of companies out there too that do trials: Quintiles, PPD, Pharmanet, etc. And lots of different types of jobs too.

I actually have discovered I hate working in corporate america and plan to try to switch to case management in a hospital, but that is the great thing about nursing- so many options for career paths.

[JFischer]

Why not try to get into clinical research with a company that runs clinical trials? Right now I am working as a clinical research associate, and I promise it is about as far from a nursing job as you can get.

There are a lot of companies out there too that do trials: Quintiles, PPD, Pharmanet, etc. And lots of different types of jobs too.

I actually have discovered I hate working in corporate america and plan to try to switch to case management in a hospital, but that is the great thing about nursing- so many options for career paths.

[JFischer]

Thanks for all the interesting replies. Nursing is a field with many options. I admire people who take different paths in life. You live life on your own terms.