What Else Can I Do For A Living?

Nurses Career Support

Published

Hi everyone:

I'm having a rough time with this field. I have been a nurse for 7+ years and have worked in many different settings. I just got another job that I thought I would like, but I absolutely HATE it (and it's not just because I'm new, the job/benefits were complete lies from what I was promised) anyway, The more I think about it, I hate every available job in nursing. I want to quit but I don't know what else I can do with my degree/history.

I'm finishing up a MSN in Leadership/Management which I hoped would open some more doors, but honestly I just don't want to do nursing at all or healthcare. Every job seems like a deadend and the pay is crappy and I'm already in one of the higher paid nursing positions out there.

Has anyone done something else with their nursing background? I don't think I can keep doing this, but at the same time I have to pay my bills... help!

Specializes in Critical Care.
You need to think outside the "box" of nursing. I don't even know what a MSN in management could do for you, but one would think it could be a satisfying career.

I make 6 figures sitting on my tookas at home, for an insurance company.

Best wishes in your search.

Need more info on this please. Lol.

Seriously let's talk!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardicac Neuro Telemetry.

You could work for an insurance company doing audits, telephone triage, etc. You could work for an attorney, particularly one who does medical malpractice.

You sound so beaten down and burnt out. I truly hope you find some peace no matter what job you work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in icu,prime care,mri,ct, cardiology, pacu,.

1. Seek a counselor. Best investment in yourself. You need to talk to someone and maybe some drugs to assist you. You sound burnt out and depressed. Been there, done that.

2. See all the other comments. They're some good ideas in there. Ignore "snarky" remarks.

3. Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Who are these nurses and why do they let TV shows have such silly medical errors and TV hospitals entirely run by doctors?

I'm seeing less shocking of asystole, at least. And it seems somebody got the memo that you don't do like 10 soft compressions a minute ROTFL.

What I do find hilarious is that Grey's Anatomy makes the Chief of Surgery out to be the boss of the whole hospital, not just surgery. I'm like really, Shonda? You should know better in almost 2018.

I was watching ER yesterday, and a dr yelled out, non-rebreather! A few minutes later I said to my husband, "I'm still waiting for that non-rebreather mask."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

What I do find hilarious is that Grey's Anatomy makes the Chief of Surgery out to be the boss of the whole hospital, not just surgery.

He's Chief of Staff, not just Chief of Surgery (or maybe he's CMO). The only thing I found unrealistic about it is that the outgoing Chief doesn't pick the incoming chief, and typically, the role changes every couple years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't get why everyone is giving off negative vibes. If you didn't have a solution to offer, why take our time to comment? Anyways..have you considered a job that could utilize your degree but be outside of a healthcare setting? Maybe you can start your own company and be an entrepreneur. You have the leadership/Management skills.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm actually glad you asked the question. I have several nurse friends and I have been working as a psychology tech., so I do work with nurses sometimes too. I do find that the type-A personalities can get to me as well. I'm efficient, but very laid back, and they don't like my style- yet I never have problems with management, and I have been watched after some nurses reported me...I got a raise! lol... But, I got on this board, because I have really wanted to get into LPN or RN nursing- and I'm finishing my BA in psych and have a good gpa, and most of the pre-reqs done...and wanted to get into mental health nursing. I find when I am working in the mental health field where nurses run the shift, it can be great, or one "this is the only way" nurse can lead the whole shift and staff to work efficient, yet cold. Yeah, it can only take one sometimes....but that goes the other way too....a great nurse can lead the pack, and the whole shift is amazing- including patient care. So, although I don't have the experience that you have- I do understand why you feel the way you do! (It even makes me re-think what I should do? Yet? I know I'm good with patients!) But I really wanted to write to you because I do have a friend that quit nursing- she became a paralegal for a medical lawyer! Her knowledge is great and she makes more money. She loves the job, and has had countless parents thanking her for her research! She found a lawyer that she respects, and doesn't have the same grit of working with so many different types of people....I don't know if that interests you, but I thought it was a great transition! Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
He's Chief of Staff, not just Chief of Surgery (or maybe he's CMO). The only thing I found unrealistic about it is that the outgoing Chief doesn't pick the incoming chief, and typically, the role changes every couple years.

Hmm as an avid Grey's watcher, I need to go back and find where they said he was Chief of Staff like Cuddy in House. Not doubting you, just surprised I missed that after my millionth binge.

Oh, and surgeons run the ED too lol. Instead of having ED staff who then call surgery for consult.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
Hmm as an avid Grey's watcher, I need to go back and find where they said he was Chief of Staff like Cuddy in House. Not doubting you, just surprised I missed that after my millionth binge.

Oh, and surgeons run the ED too lol. Instead of having ED staff who then call surgery for consult.

Always great to have an excuse for that million-and-one'th binge :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.
Hmm as an avid Grey's watcher, I need to go back and find where they said he was Chief of Staff like Cuddy in House. Not doubting you, just surprised I missed that after my millionth binge.

Oh, and surgeons run the ED too lol. Instead of having ED staff who then call surgery for consult.

Sadly I love Grey's despite the obvious medical flaws. I would love to see that hospital where the surgeons run the ED, surgery, the clinic, etc. I love that the same MD that see's a pt in the ER is suddenly leaving the ER and doing a complicated surgery on the ER patient that just came in. So who took over their job in the ER? And the nurses [or lack thereof]! I am trying to remember and the only story line that I can think of where nurses figured prominently was when George caught an STD from a nurse and it turned out the STD was practically an epidemic among the doc's since they were of course all having sex with the infected nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would give you my Best Wishes to find a right Job for you.Keep looking for the Jobs advertised!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work from home for an insurance company. I make a lot more than I did in the hospital, and it is less of a headache. Definitely an option if the patient care jobs are not for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment