What can I do with my nursing degree?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I've been a nurse since 2006, I've finally realized I really don't like Nursing. I always stay in a job for 2-3 years then go to something different. My last job I liked, kidney transplant coordinator, the only thing I did not like was being oncall however that is part of the job. I transferred to an outpatient clinic job , which is a horrible nightmare. I work for the VA and I have patients yelling at me everyday because their doctor called in sick for 3 weeks in a row, their appointments have got canceled on the same day more than once. I feel bad for the patients and I know it's not my fault but I'm tired of this system. I refuse to be yelled at for a system wide problem. Now that particular doc is on medical leave but they are in the talks of getting a contract provider to see her patients. Of course who knows how long that will take.

I've been applying to different jobs like clinical research associate, medical records and coding type jobs. Has anyone left their Nursing job for a different job that's not in Nursing?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I've been a nurse since 2006, I've finally realized I really don't like Nursing. I always stay in a job for 2-3 years then go to something different. My last job I liked, kidney transplant coordinator, the only thing I did not like was being oncall however that is part of the job. I transferred to an outpatient clinic job , which is a horrible nightmare. I work for the VA and I have patients yelling at me everyday because their doctor called in sick for 3 weeks in a row, their appointments have got canceled on the same day more than once. I feel bad for the patients and I know it's not my fault but I'm tired of this system. I refuse to be yelled at for a system wide problem. Now that particular doc is on medical leave but they are in the talks of getting a contract provider to see her patients. Of course who knows how long that will take.

I've been applying to different jobs like clinical research associate, medical records and coding type jobs. Has anyone left their Nursing job for a different job that's not in Nursing?

I am quite sure millions of nurses have left their nursing jobs and got new ones.

What do you like doing?

What are you good at.

A few possibilities come to mind.

actor, puppeteer/marionetteer (actor/actress)

actuary

administrative worker

advertising manager

aerial rigger

agricultural adviser (farming adviser)

agricultural machinery mechanic (agricultural mechanic)

agronomist

air traffic controller

air traffic safety technician

aircraft instrument technician

aircraft mechanic

airline clerk (airline ticket agent)

ammunition and explosives operative (munitions worker)

animal technician

animator

anthropologist

applications manager (computer applications manager)

apprentice training officer/trainer (instructor)

archeologist

architect

architectural conservation officer

art critic and historian

art glazier and window-pane maker (craft glazier)

art metalworker (craft smith and locksmith)

art photographer

art restorer

articled clerk - legal assistant

artificial flower maker

artistic promotions manager

assessor (insurance assessor)

assistant housekeeper (domestic help)

assistant printing worker

astrologer

astronomer

athlete (sportsman/woman)

auctioneer

audio graphic designer

auditor

auto-electrician

auxiliary shop assistant (shop worker/shelf filler)

auxiliary worker in geological survey (geological survey worker)

auxiliary worker in textile and clothing industry (worker in textile and clothing)

auxiliary worker in the timber industry (worker in woodcutting)

auxiliary worker in water management (worker in water supply and distribution)

auxiliaryworker in pharmaceutical and medical production

baker

bank clerk (client service)

bank clerk for commercial credit

banking expert

barber and hairdresser (hairdresser)

barman/barmaid (bartender)

basket-maker and weaver

beautician (beautician/beauty therapist)

beekeeper

bibliographer

biochemist

biologist

biotechnologist

biscuit maker

blacksmith (farrier)

blasters foreman/woman (explosives expert)

blast-furnaceman/woman

blasting works engineer

boatman/woman (bargee, )

boiler operator (boiler attendant)

boilermaker/fitter

bookbinder

bookkeeper

bookmaker

botanist

brewer and maltster

bricklayer

broadcaster/announcer (radio broadcaster, telecaster)

brush-maker (brush maker)

builders' labourer (worker in the construction industry)

building and road machinery mechanic

building electrician

building fitter (building locksmith)

building inspector

building machine operator

building materials production operative

building tinsmith

building/civil engineering/ architectural technician/technologist

butcher and sausage-maker

butler

button maker

cab/taxi dispatcher

cabinet maker

cable car driver

cable manufacture labourer (cable maker)

camera mechanic

camera operator (camera operator/camera crew)

canning worker (cannery operator)

capital markets clerk/officer

captain of an aircraft

car mechanic

car service worker (service station worker )

care assistant, home care assistant, home care organiser

career diplomat/ diplomat

career guidance counsellor (careers adviser)

caretaker

carpenter

cartographer

cellulose operator

ceramic model maker

ceramic painter (painter of ceramics )

ceramicist (potter)

ceramics/pottery maker

charter agent /ship broker

cheese maker

chemical industries operative (chemical operator)

chemical industry production manager

chemical laboratory technician (laboratory assistant)

chemical plant machine operator in non-ferrous metal production

chemical plant machine operator(fat and cosmetic industries)

chemical researcher

chemical technologist

chief/senior guard (railways)

children's nurse (child's nurse )

chimney sweep

chipboard/fibreboard production operative

choir master/mistress

choreographer

circus artiste (circus performer)

cleaner

clerk for cash or credit card systems

cloakroom attendant

coffee roaster

coffeehouse keeper (café owner)

commentator, reporter, journalist (commentator, reporter)

commercial lawyer

company lawyer

composer

computer engineer (information technology engineer)

computer equipment operator (information technology operator)

computer network manager

computer programmer (systems programmer/ applications programmer)

concrete worker (concreter)

conductor (orchestral)

conductor (tram/bus)

confectioner (pastry and cake maker)

conservator (museum/art gallery)

construction carpenter/joiner

construction/building site manager (site manager)

cook

corrosion control fitter

court executive officer (bailiff)

craft ceramicist

craft gilder

craft glass etcher

craft glassmaker

craft metal founder and chaser

craft metalworker and brazier

craft mosaic maker

craft plasterer

craft stonemason

craft upholsterer

crane driver (crane operator)

crate maker/cooper

criminal investigator

crop treatment operative

croupier

customs officer (customs inspector)

cutler

dairy worker (dairy operator)

dance teacher/trainer

dancer

data transfer appliance technician

debt collector

decorator-paperhanger (painter and decorator)

dental surgery assistant (dental nurse)

dental technician

dentist / dental surgeon

developing and printing technician (photographic laboratory assistant)

dietician

digger

director (theatre/films)

disc jockey

dish washer

dispatch clerk

dispatcher (mines and quarries)

dispatcher, electric power

diver

dog trainer

doorkeeper, porter (doorkeeper)

draughtsperson (draughtsman/woman)

dresser

driller

drilling rig operator (driller)

driver of motor vehicles (motor vehicle driver)

driver's mate (driver's assistant)

driving instructor

dust control technician

ecologist (environmentalist)

economist (company accountant)

editor (technical, language)/specialist editor

educational methods specialist

electrical and power systems design engineer

electrical equipment design engineer (designer of electrotechnical appliances)

electrical equipment inspector

electrical fitter (electrical mechanic)

electrician

electroceramic production operative

electronic equipment mechanic (electronic engineering technician)

electroplating operator (galvaniser)

employment agent (employment officer)

enamel worker

engineering fitter (machine fitter)

engineering maintenance technician (plant technologist)

entertainment officer

environmental protection inspector (environmental inspector)

ergonomist

ethnographer

faith healer

farm worker/farm labourer

farmer

fashion designer

feed production operator

film critic

film designer (film set designer)

film or videotape editor

film projectionist

financial analyst

financial officer

fine artist

fire officer

fire officer (firefighter)

fire prevention officer, fire inspector

fish farmer

fish warden (water keeper/bailiff)

fisherman

fitter (mechanic/fitter)

fitter of (scientific and industrial) glass instruments

fitter of gas pipelines (gas mains fitter)

fitter of steel structures

flight attendant (steward/ess, cabin staff)

flight engineer

floor fitter (floor layer)

flower, shrub or plant grower

flying instructor

food industry production manager

food industry technologist

foreign exchange clerk

foreign exchange clerk/teller (foreign exchange office clerk)

forester (forestry manager)

forester/forest manager

forestry machine operator

forestry worker

fortune teller

foster parent

foundry worker/foundry process operator / coremaker /patternmaker

fringe/trimmings maker

fruit farmer (fruit grower)

funeral service assistant (funeral service worker)

fur coat seamstress (fur coat sewer)

furnace operator

furrier

gardener (market gardener)

gas industry inspector

general labourer - chemical industry (worker in the chemical industry)

general labourer - rubber and plastic manufacture (worker in rubber and plastic production)

general labourer in petroleum refineries (worker in oil processing)

geneticist

geographer

geological surveying equipment mechanic

geologist

geomechanic technician (mining)

geophysicist

glass decorator (glass engraver)

glass jewellery maker

glass making machine operator

glass melter

glass painter

glass production worker (worker in the glass industry)

glasscutter (glass grinder)

glassworker (glass worker)

glazier

goldsmith

government licensing officials (government licensing official)

graphic designer (graphic designer /audiovisual graphic designer)

gravedigger

guide

gunsmith

hand embroiderer

hand lacemaker

harbour guard

hardener

harpooner

hatter (hat maker)

heating and ventilating fitter (air-conditioning fitter)

heating engineer (heating and ventilating engineer)

herbalist

high-rise work specialist (steeplejack)

historian

historical monuments administrator /custodian (warden of a historic building)

horse breeder (horse breeder and trainer)

host (hostess)

hotel porter

hotel receptionist (receptionist)

hydrologist

ice-cream maker

image consultant

industrial designer (wood and furniture industry)

information assistant/officer in rail transport

information assistant/receptionist

inspector of telecommunications equipment (inspector of telecommunications)

insulation worker (insulator)

insurance clerk

insurance sales person, collector, and insurance underwriter

interior designer interior designer

interpreter and translator

investment clerk

invoice clerk

jeweller (manufacturing or retail)/goldsmith and silversmith/jewellery designer

jewellery maker

joiner and cabinetmaker (joiner)

judge

keeper of records (archivist)

keeper of service animals

knitter

land surveyor

landscape architect

laundry worker & dry-cleaner (laundry and dry cleaning operative )

laundry worker (dry cleaning worker)

lecturer (higher education)

lecturer in vocational courses

lecturer/researcher in linguistics

librarian (librarian/information scientist )

lifeguard (swimming instructor)

lift attendant

lift fitter

lighting technician

lightning conductor fitter (fitter of lightning conductors)

lithographer

livestock farmer

lottery ticket street vendor

machine shop worker (worker in a metal works)

machinery inspector

maker of non-woven textiles

make-up artist and wigmaker

management accountant

management consultant

manager

manager/supervisor for shopping, accommodation or food-service units (catering manager)

marine engineer (ship's engineer and machine operator)

marine hotel manager

marketing manager

masseur/masseuse

master of ceremonies

materials handler

mathematician

medical laboratory assistant (medical laboratory technician)

mechanic - measuring, controlling and automated systems (measurement and control technician )

mechanic (service mechanic)

mechanical engineering designer

mechanical engineering production manager

mechanical engineering technologist

mechatronic engineer

metal engraver

metal grinder

metal refiner

metal turner

metal worker / Steelworker (Foundry Worker )

metallurgist (materials technician)

metallurgist of nonferrous metals

meteorologist

metrologist

microbiologist

midwife

miller

milling-machine operator

mine rescue service mechanic

mine ventilation technician (mine ventilation engineer)

miner

mining air control technician

mining electrician - heavy-current equipment (mining electrician of heavy-current equipment)

mining finisher (mining dresser)

mining machine operator

mining mechanic (mining fitter)

mining rescue worker (mining rescuer)

mining/minerals surveyor

model/ fashion model, photographic model

modeller (model maker)

motor vehicle bodybuilder/repairer

mountain guide

multimedia designer

multimedia programmer (web site designer)

municipal police officer (policeman/woman)

municipal services worker (communal service worker)

municipal street cleaner (communal cleaning worker)

museum/art gallery curator

music director

musical instrument mechanic (musical instrument technician)

musician

musicologist

nanny /nursery nurse

naturalist/nature guide (reserve warden)

newspaper editor/ sub-editor (journalist)

nuclear power station operator

nurse (general medicine, paediatric, obstetric)

nursery school teacher (nursery teacher)

nutritionist

office junior

on-line customer services operator

operational analyst/researcher

operations electrician for heavy-current equipment (heavy-current appliance electrician)

operations mechanic (plant fitter)

operative - food processing (food processing operator)

operative in chemical and synthetic fibre manufacture

operator in the tobacco industry

operator of gas plant equipment (gasworks equipment operator)

operator of numerically controlled machine tools

operator of plastic material processing machines (plastics process operative)

optical component maker / lens grinder

optical instrument mechanic

ore crusher (smelting and refinery)

orthopaedic shoemaker (orthopaedic bootmaker)

orthotic/prosthetic technician

orthotist/prosthetist

out-of-school educator

overhead telecommunications cable fitter

packer

paediatrician

palmists

paper worker

paramedic (ambulance worker)

patent agent

paver - asphalt layer (road worker)

pawnbroker

pedicurist, manicurist (pedicurist-manicurist)

personnel officer

pest control officer

petroleum and petrochemical process operators

pharmaceutical industry operative (pharmaceutical operator)

pharmaceutical laboratory technician (pharmaceutical laboratory assistant)

pharmacist

philosopher

photographer

photographic reporter (press photographer)

physicist

physiotherapist

piano tuner

pilot (harbours and ports)

pilot[aircraft]

pipe fitter

pipe fitter

pizza maker

plumber

plywood maker

police assistant (police clerk)

police investigator (detective)

police officer/inspector

political scientist

pollster

post office counter clerk

postal service worker

postal transport worker

postal worker (postman/woman)

postmaster/postmistress

poultry breeder (poultry farmer)

poultry butcher (poulterer)

powder metallurgist

power engineering specialist

power station supervisor

power station/systems operator (energy s equipment operator)

power system worker (worker in the electrical energy industry)

power truck driver

prefab construction worker

press officer/public relations officer

pricing officer

priest/minister of religion (clergyman/woman)

primary school teacher

printer

printing machine mechanic

printing technician

prison guard / prison officer

private detective

producer

producer of leather goods/ leather goods worker

product designer (industrial designer)

production manager (electronic appliances)

production manager in glass and ceramics

production manager in textile industry

production manager in wood industry

production technologist (electronic appliances)/electronic appliance production technologist

professional soldier

prompter

property manager

props master (properties staff member)

psychiatrist

psychologist

psychotherapist

public administration officer

public notary

public relations manager

publican (landlord/landlady)

publisher

purchasing officer/buyer/merchandiser

quality control technician (technologist)/non-destructive testing (ndt) technician

quality inspector

radio and tv technician

radio and tv transmission engineering technician

radio officer/operator (merchant navy)

radiographer/radiotherapist

rail transport worker

rail vehicle mechanic

railway carriage and wagon inspector

railway electrician (rail transport electrician)

railway engine mechanic

railway freight handler

railway guard (guard)

railway operative (railway administrative worker )

railway ticket/booking office clerk (booking office clerk/ticket office clerk)

railway track construction fitter

railway yard worker

real estate agent (estate agent)

referee (umpire)

refrigeration engineer (refrigeration mechanic )

refuse collector

registrar

removal worker /furniture removal worker

reproduction technician/photographer

restorer of applied arts and crafts

retoucher

river basin keeper (river manager)

road sign assistant (road sign keeper)

road transport technician

rolling-mill operator (rolling-mill worker)

roofer (roof tiler or slater)

room maid (chambermaid/cleaning staff)

rope maker

rotating machine fitter

rubber operator (rubber process operative)

rubber processing machine operator/ tyrefitter

safety and communication electrician

safety engineer

safety, health and quality inspectors, health and safety inspectors

sales assistant (salesperson)

sales manager

sales representative (commercial traveller)

scaffolder

scene painter

scene-shifter

script editor

script writer (scriptwriter)

sculptor

seaman/woman (merchant navy) rating

secondary school teacher

secretary (secretary, personal assistant)

section supervisor (mines and quarries)

security guard

service mechanic/ repairer

sewerage system cleaning operator (sewerage cleaner)

sewing machinist

shepherd, goatherd

shift engineer

ship fitter /shipwright

ship's captain

ship's officer

shoemaker (cobbler)

shop cashier (shop cashier/checkout operator)

shunter

shunting team manager

school caretaker

school inspector

silkworm breeder, sericulturist

singer

smith

social worker

sociologist

solicitor

songwriter

sound effects technician

sound engineer

spa resort attendant (baths assistant)

special educational needs teacher

special effects engineer (special effects engineer)

special needs teacher (learning/behavioural difficulties)

specialist in animal husbandry (livestock specialist)

spectacle frame maker

speech therapist

spinner

stable hand, groom

stage costume maker

stage designer / theatre designer

stage manager

standards engineer

state attorney (public prosecutor)

station manager

statistician

stockbroker

stonemason, stonecutter (stonemason)

storekeeper (warehouse keeper)

stove fitter

stuntman (stuntwoman)

sugar-maker (sugar maker)

surgical toolmaker (surgery toolmaker)

surveyor's assistant/helper

sweet factory worker (sweet maker)

systems designer (systems analyst)

systems engineer (manufacturing)

tailor, dressmaker (tailor and dressmaker)

tamer (lion tamer)

tanner

tannery worker

tax specialist, tax adviser/consultant

technical editor

technologist in glass and ceramics

telecommunications cable fitter

telecommunications dispatcher (controller of telecommunications operation)

telecommunications engineer

telecommunications installation and repair technician

telecommunications mechanic (telecommunications technician)

telecommunications technician

telecommunications worker

telephone/switchboard operator

teller

textile printer

textile refiner

textile technologist

textiles dyer

the doctor (doctor)

the hygiene service assistant (hygiene service assistant)

the medical orderly (nursing auxiliary/health care assistant)

the optician (optometrist)

ticket collector/inspector

tinsmith

tobacco technologist

tool setter (machine-tool setter)

tool-maker (toolmaker)

town planner

track engineer

tracklayer

tractor-driver

trading standards officer/weights and measures inspector

traffic police officer (motor patrolman/woman)

train dispatcher

train driver (engine driver)

trainee/apprentice chef

trainer (sports)/coach

trainman/woman

tram driver

transport supervisor (transportation supervisor)

travel agency clerk

travel courier (tourist guide)

tunneller (tunnel builder)

tutor/ governess (home tutor)

typesetter

underground mine safety engineer (deep-mining safety engineer)

upholsterer and decorator (upholsterer)

usher/usherette

valuer

varnisher (painter-varnisher)

veterinary surgeon

veterinary technician (animal nurse)/veterinary assistant

viniculturist (wine-grower)

wages clerk

waiter (waitress)

wardrobe master/mistress

warehouse clerk

waste incineration plant worker

water management controller (water supply and distribution manager)

water supply and distribution equipment operator

water treatment plant operator / water meter reader

watercourse manager (river administrator)

watch-maker (watchmaker)

watchman (watchwoman)/security guard

weaver

weaver (hand weaver)

weigher

weir and dam operator

welding operator (welder)

well digger

whaler

window cleaner

window-dresser

winery worker/wine maker

wire-drawer

wood carver

wood industry technologist

woodcutting manager

woodworking operator (wood machinist)

work study engineer/organisation and methods officer (electronic appliances)

work study/organisation and methods officer (glass and ceramics)

work study/organisation and methods officer (mechanical engineering)

work study/organisation and methods officer (textile industry)

work study/organisation and methods officer (wood and furniture industry)

worker in electrical engineering production

worker in gas distribution

worker in pressing and stamping shops

worker in recycling services (worker at household waste recycling site)

worker in shoe production (worker in footwear production)

worker in the food industry (worker in food industry)

worker in the paper industry

worker in the production of building materials

worker the in fur processing industry

worker, metal industry (foundry worker)

zookeeper

Up Vote Up Vote ×

At a cattle call interview session for a new grocery chain store about to open, the interviewer suggested to me that my nursing background qualified me to work in the floral department. I didn't get that job either. I imagine it was because a nurse with a DNP degree must have been in one of the two lines that snaked around the interview site building twice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nurse.
I am quite sure millions of nurses have left their nursing jobs and got new ones.

What do you like doing?

What are you good at.

A few possibilities come to mind.

actor, puppeteer/marionetteer (actor/actress)....

zookeeper

So polite of you to list it alphabetically.

Unless...you didn't cut and paste, did you? It's not as meaningful if you didn't manually type it in...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
So polite of you to list it alphabetically.

Unless...you didn't cut and paste, did you? It's not as meaningful if you didn't manually type it in...

Nope- just a few things that came to mind. And it's weird- I think alphabetically.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow....jerk move, hherrn. I hope you find whomever defecated in your Cheerios and direct your passive- aggressiveness to them.

Anyways,

First off I have to get the obligatory disclaimer out of the way: are you SURE you want to leave a career you put so much work into? What you describe sounds like burn-out, and you mention you DID like one of your nursing jobs in the past. It sounds like some soul-searching is in order, do you have any vacation time available to do some mental inventory and look for other nursing jobs in units more like the one you enjoyed?

On the other hand, I left education for health care - so I know all about changing fields for mental well-being. Is there a local community college where you could schedule an appointment with an advisor to get some good advice about licensures and other programs that you could use to help you transition to another field?

For some reason, it was difficult for me to get entry-level positions when I quit teaching....I suppose because I was both over-qualified and inexperienced for anything else. One thing that made a world of difference was adding a cover letter and objective statement to my resume's. I don't like objective statements as a general rule (they tend to be generic space-wasters), but I added one, something like, "Former English teacher looking to leverage experience with leadership and record-keeping into a career in healthcare.", along with a one-page cover letter explaining what excited me about the job I was applying for (avoided lingering on my unhappiness with my former career, focused on the excitement of the new career and what it offered). Even if the resume's were all submitted online, I'd wait 2-3 days after submitting a resume, and go to HR to drop off a paper copy with cover letter attached. I landed in healthcare, and I'm much happier, even with the 'warts' the job comes with.

I wish you the best of luck, with whatever you decide.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
IHas anyone left their Nursing job for a different job that's not in Nursing?

People do it every day, but most of them aren't frequenting nursing-related message boards after the fact. What did you do before nursing? I've never had a job that didn't come with frustrations and other troubles.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

Seriously? You listed like 190 jobs? ( that have zero to do with nursing ) just to be a smart ass? Nice... í ½í¹„

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Seriously? You listed like 190 jobs? ( that have zero to do with nursing ) just to be a smart ass? Nice... ������

I think it did a fairly good job of reminding us there's big world out there, full of possibility. The format and endless scrolling made me growl a little, though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.

Can you go back for your masters? If you have a bachelors degree you can apply to most masters programs if you have the prerequisites.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would honestly recommend getting your masters. Maybe get your MBA instead of your MSN that way you can branch into the business side of nursing. It will further the existing career you have, while allowing you to branch into something that isn't necessarily all nursing and there's a world of possibilities as far as jobs go.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Seriously? You listed like 190 jobs? ( that have zero to do with nursing ) just to be a smart ass? Nice... ������

I think if you're on the boards long enough, you get tired of these threads. There are a few of them active right now. Nurses have the same opportunities as any other. What these threads really say is "what can I do with a nursing degree that isn't nursing that requires little to no retraining and pays the same or better than what I was making in the field?" Not very realistic, especially when the poster provides little insight into their interests. The list might have been over the top but makes a point that there are options... one may have to start from the bottom, but they're there if you really want it.

I wonder if engineering, computer programming, social work, etc boards get the same kind of questions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment