AIBU to change career from nursing

[Nostrings457]

I'm nearly mid 30s and contemplating a career change from nursing, the problem is I don't know to do what. All I have known is nursing since college. AIBU to think its even possible or is it too late? How do you / did you find your career? I am in management so do have a decent wage but don't feel fully fulfilled, does anyone though? I have flexible hours around DC which I am extremely grateful for in this career but I feel I want more. (my 2 weeks annual leave is nearly over hence me wondering about this at 1.30am)

I guess it depends on what you'd actually like to do? You could look to going into a care home management setting, or a managerial role in a home care agency? Or you could look into being a botox/chem peel/fillers practioner as qualified nurses always do much better than a 3 day course lay person in that field. Alternatively you could take your assessor qualifications and go into NVQ health and social care assessing? Or train as a uni nursing lecturer? Or something completely different? Depends on what takes your interest really? But 30's is by no means too old to look for a career path change.

Yes it's completely possible but probably not the best time to do it though! Be warned it's not easy to find a flexible job as a new comer or trainee.

What are you thinking - out of health Completely?

If you're feeling unsettled but not sure of a new direction, I suggest you make contact with the National Careers Service. It's a free service (I believe) and helps with assessments, different career choices etc.

This is the web contact nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/. There will be local advisers to help

Never too old! My mums best friend retrained to an accountant (she was previously a nurse) and makes a good living now, a lot less stress too

It's perfectly normal & acceptable to make a career change in your 30's. As a senior nurse you have an lot of transferable skills that you can exploit. First steps to take are finding out what you're interested in? Are there any aspects of your management role that you enjoy, but wish you had more time to focus on that element?

Can you reduce your hours or work part-time as an agency in order to give yourself the headspace & time to explore a career transition?

My top 2 jobs are paramedic (couldn't do shift work due to DCs) or a PE teacher (have looked into it but competition is fierce with not a lot of opportunities). Also my nursing is a diploma (i qualified before degrees were compulsory). I am totally open to options. That looks good @dpotter will haveva look thank you

If you've qualified via diploma vs degree, would you still be eligible to apply for degree funding? You could also top up money via agency work in a nursing home/home care as, they pay more far more for a qualified nurse doing agency shifts vs care workers. Personally I'd not look towards PE teaching as BF ex Boyf was one and not only is the competition high, but the pay wasn't great either! If you're interested in fitness you'd probably be frankly better off setting up as a personal trainer with the USP of having a nursing background - hence first hand physical, muscular, dietary, physiological training. People will willing pay more if they feel they're getting 'specialist knowledge'.

If you're already into fitness you could look to setting up an outdoor boot camp? I've a couple of friends who've signed up to them recently as they don't want to rejoin the gym due to covid. You'd only need personal liability insurance and not even any equipment to start up. One of my friends has joined one that's also 'child friendly', basically the kids do their own 'boot camp' after at a very reduced fee for approx 20mins after the adult one ends (public space). But they're training at a park/playing field space outside of standard 9-4 playing time hours. The kids are all in line of sight and the parents don't have to take childcare into consideration to participate.

Have you thought about sticking with nursing but changing jobs? Maybe try a totally different area so you are learning something new? Community, A&E,, outpatients, theatre, ITU, nursing home etc. I was at the point of quitting too but this worked for me.