Taking a leap of faith - leaving nursing. Has anyone done it and found happy?

[Leapoffaith00]

Exactly that really. I can't live like this anymore. I'm so so scared but I just can't do it!!!

[madcatladyforever]

Hell yes I left nursing years ago totally burnt out.
I'm now an NHS podiatrist and work 9-5 with weekends off.
What will you be doing?

[fedup21]

What is it you don’t like?

I’m a teacher desperate to leave and have considered nursing!

[Leapoffaith00]

A specialist mentor position has become available. Massive gamble as I'm coming off the register ( only been on 6 months). Firstly, I didn't enjoy my training and was hoping it would chage once qualified as so many people said it would. I trained for the wrong reasons. It wasn't what I imagined. I honestly think the training has somehow damaged me mentally that now I have anxious feelings whenever I'm within health care.
This new post, you need to build your students so it will start at a very low income. If it doesn't work out - asda? I have no idea. Im 42 and scared to death as im a single parent also. Im just fed up of feeling mentally unwell.

[Lily2811]

Your last sentence sums me up right now. I don't think I can do it anymore but I don't know what else to do as a job.

[SunshineAngel]

My mum trained as a nurse as young as possible, and worked in the profession until the age of 52. She then got a new job at a medical negligence solicitor (so she does still need to BE a nurse to deal with the claims, but she no longer actively practices) and she loves it.

Sometimes if you're unhappy you need to take a leap of faith. She kept up her registration for the first year, but it has now lapsed, because she knows she never wants to go back (and even if she did, there are ways and means - it's never a permanent decision if you don't want it to be).

[SunshineAngel]

To answer the question someone asked of what isn't great about the job. This might not be ALL nurses, but my mum worked in an understaffed surgical unit, so had a lot of stress trying to get everything done, regularly had to leave late (the shifts were already 13hrs long, 7am-8pm), got verbal abuse from relatives who weren't happy with the care as they were understaffed, and she was regularly asked to take charge of the ward despite not being paid to do so.

She was also regularly moved to other wards, sometimes even asked to take charge of them, and she found it stressful having to quickly integrate into another team, and provide care for conditions she had very little knowledge of.

Basically, she felt unable to give the care she wanted to give when she trained, as everything was just too stressful. She couldn't even stop to chat to the patients, which she believed was important. So she left.

For the poster saying you don't know what other jobs you could do, google Nurse Analyst and see what you think :).

[Leapoffaith00]

Thanks everyone for your messages.
I have been looking in all areas. I'm not going to find anything that meets the income of a nurse. However, I want to feel happy. It's been an awful 5 years. I don't feel like I'm making a difference. I feel like every decision made is by the book and not always things I agree with. It's all too sad. I can't switch off from it.
I will never lose my compassion and caring nature but need to leave for my own mental health. I also feel I can give more in other areas of my life. There are some amazing nurses out there that do a great job but do not get recognition and carry on.
I'm thinking of a medical receptionist. Not great money but less responsibility. I have no clue how things will pan out but I'm quite positive in thinking I will find happy again.

[fluffyjumper]

Fedup21 why are you leaving teaching?