How to get out of nursing?

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I’ve been a registered nurse for five years, working on a ward, and I’m currently off sick due to burnout and bullying from management. I honestly can’t face going back. Nursing has had a huge impact on my mental health, and looking back, I feel absolutely miserable. I don’t know what possessed me to choose this career at 18!

Even though I’m only in my twenties, I feel completely stuck. I don’t know what else I can do with a nursing degree that isn’t nursing — but at the same time, I can’t afford a big pay cut as I have a mortgage to think about.

It’s frustrating, because I loved school and sixth form. I have A-Levels in History, Government & Politics, and English (all A grades) — but I’m not sure they count for much now?

Is it possible to move into something like project management? Or am I stuck, because my degree is in adult nursing? Would I need to do another degree or retrain completely?

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s been through something similar — especially nurses who’ve managed to change careers. Any ideas, advice, or just reassurance would really help, thank you.

Just throwing this out there. Some sort of Health and Safety role? A friend was a nurse and moved to a H&S role at a manufacturing facility.

You're a graduate with a plethora of transferable skills who has a stable start to their CV- there will be options depending how flexible you are.

What is the minimum salary youd consider?
Do you enjoy any aspects of nursing still- ie would a different environment suit you better or do you hate all of it?
Do you have flexibility to move?
What sort of shifts would you prefer?

Look at the voluntary sector. There may be roles there that can use your skills.

Retrain as a science teacher? Similar salary scale and I've worked with more than a few former nurses who made the jump to being a science teacher.
I also know a former nurse who trained in law but she couldn't get the training contract post-qualification so went back into the NHS in Risk but the pay was shit and the work was soul destroying because she was dealing with all the cock-ups.
I know another former nurse who became a supermarket manager (just to do something completely different).
And I know more than a few who have gone into holistic/beauty therapy/nails type roles but I don't think those are particularly well paid.

Move into primary care. Soooo much better

Do your conversion course into a different branch of nursing? It might be that you do enjoy nursing, just not the adult branch.

Do you have any children? What about cabin crew?

I have two friends that quit nursing to become cabin crew.

They absolutely love it but I don't know how manageable it would be if you already have a family. (Both friends are single and childless)

Do you have any children? What about cabin crew?

I have two friends that quit nursing to become cabin crew.

They absolutely love it but I don't know how manageable it would be if you already have a family. (Both friends are single and childless)

I know a couple of nurses who have moved into wellness. One is in aesthetics and the other is doing massage. Both earn as much as they did nursing.

Many opportunities as nurse in other sub specialist- not just the ward. Lot to apply for outpatient specialist

I came onto to say aesthetics. Not my bag. But as someone who can prescribe you would be in a fast growing market where you could branch out into other areas whilst still earning.

Thank you all for your replies. I'm going to research the suggestions you've made.

Boxplots, I'm top of Band 5 now so I think something that at least starts at 30k would be ideal but even then that's taking a large pay cut considering antisocial hours. I'm tired of the 12 hour shifts now so 9-5 Mon-Fri would appeal to me, and having Christmas and New Year off to spend time with family. I've only ever tried the wards so I'm not sure about other parts of nursing.

I’m a nurse. I’ve worked on a day surgery unit and I’ve worked in the community. I loved both these jobs. Neither role was anything like working on a ward. Have a look around for other nursing jobs before you give up.

I've considered aesthetics but it doesn't seem worth it - I know a nurse doing her training and she's had to fork out thousands for the course (I think around 7 grand altogether) and then when qualified they have to pay for a prescriber, insurance etc.

DSD is a community nurse. She did mainly ward nursing when training and hated every second of it, she went into community nursing as soon as she qualified and she loves it. She does 8am til 4pm most days, Monday to Friday and has to work 1 Saturday in four.

Why not try a change like that before you choose to change your career completely?

I moved into community nursing then continuing health care (totally different to my ward nursing years).
Two friends moved into school nursing one to social work.
I know of someone that went to work in an engineering factory as an occupational health nurse and went on to set up there own business.
look at cross over skills health and safety, risk management, health, planning social care, voluntary sector, medical negligence, asessors etc.
Look on the nhs website what jobs are available with skills you've already got, would you enjoy it? Would it go anywhere? Also
If you transfer within the nhs you get to keep your pension and years of service.
Whatever you do don't make a rash dissision, do it for the long term result not the short term gain.

I'd love to try community, only thing is I haven't driven since passing my test at 18 so would have to build my confidence up driving again.

My daughter recently did a project management contract in the NHS and a lot of her peers had moved from clinical roles into projects. My niece is a midwife who now works in surgical device sales and loves it.

Practice nursing. No weekends or evenings. You might have to negotiate on pay as usually employed by GP’s and not on Agenda for Change. But can still pay into NHS pension. It’s still busy but manageable.

Hospice nursing?

Occupational health? Lots of phone work if you want it.

Check out your local independent school they will hire qualified nurses-

I moved into practice nursing 2 years ago after working all my 30 years qualified in hospital. Best move I made. It’s busy but much more manageable & the hours are so much better. Downside as someone else mentioned is not on AfC so I took quite a pay cut but worth it for me. I hadn’t bargained on another uni course but I survived & you’re significantly younger than me 🙈

This
I am a nurse and have had a largely fulfilling career. I appreciate how depressing it is to feel burnt out and unsupported but there are so many opportunities in nursing.
Please consider alternative options in nursing. Could you be redeployed in the interim?
Hope you find better soon

The advice to try other nursing options is good - have a look around, there are so many different options for you with the qualifications you have. Don't panic!