To leave nursing at 43 and find a new non people related job?

[Greenbird710]

Hi, I'm 43 and have nursed for 20 years but I'm just so burnt out and beat down by how people treat me. Is it silly to leave nursing and get a job with less responsibility and people contact?

Not at all! What type of work were you thinking of?

I left it too long and now have enduring mental health and physical problems. I’m studying and working a couple of hours a week. I shut myself in the office and don’t have to speak to people if I don’t want to. I’m unbelievably poor but a lot happier. Don’t leave it too late.

Thanks for replying, I'd like something less pressured really but have no idea what. I guess the money is the main issue. Maybe I should look into some work related qualifications?

I left after 30 years totally burnt out. Have never regretted it, started a new career although money not as good but I look back and wonder how i stuck it so long. My new job role does still have a lot of contact with people, sometimes difficult people with a lot of issues but nowhere near the huge responsibility I felt with Nursing.

What about a different type of nursing, such as community or clinic/GP surgery if you are currently on wards?
also consider joining bank/agencies, maybe you need a new environment rather than whole new job? Would be a shame to not use all your knowledge and skills, however if you can handle nursing, you can handle anything, so your transferable skills will be exceptional!

Teaching nursing? In Further or higher education. Even remote roles available. You would need to be prepared to do teaching qualifications, alongside the job, but they are no more difficult than your nursing ones.

Thank you all so much for your replies , I know it's kinda vague to nor know what to do next but nursing has left me feeling very disillusioned as its a job I used to love so much . Any ideas on a career website to look at? Ty

Some law firms specialising in medical negligence will employ nurses to speak to clients, review and collate medical records etc.

What about occupational health nursing or doing assessments for dwp?

What about working for a private medical insurer in an office based role. Lots of medical insurers employ clinical people to help customers over the phone in certain circumstances.

Join the civil service

Teaching in further education for access to health type courses? Or a specific condition phone support service?

qualified 15 years ago - have done mainly community based roles and the emotional load and responsibility it entails has broken me.
Due to start mat leave soon but will have to look at a role outside of nursing after

Been feeling the same way for a long time too OP but totally lost with what else to do

What about working for occupational health?

My friend left nursing and went working in a research lab and loves it. It's still related to healthcare but no shift work or dealing with the public

Research is light caseload and 9-5.
or Pharma employ lots of nurses.
some colleagues now work for cancer charities.
lots of jobs are transferable.
Otherwise go for something administrative, nurses are often great administrators / PAs.

I dont blame you. Nursing is absolutely gruelling. I left after 20 years and trained to be a podiatrist. It's 100 times better. Also 9 to 5 with weekends and Bank Holidays off.

Thanks for great help guys I'm gonna spend some time tomorrow really researching the suggestions you've all made .

I'm sorry to hear so many nurses feeling the same. It's just very difficult trying to always give your best but always leaving shift feeling you let people down due to work load.

You have many transferable skills. I was at a point almost 3 years ago where I was completely burnt out with working on the wards with awful shift patterns. I now work in clinic based role with 9-5 type hours and honestly it’s the best thing I ever did.
hearing so many NHS staff who are feeling burnt out. It’s awful. I hope you find something you love - I think you’ll find there are lots of creative ways you could use your skills

How about medical assessments for companies? I work on the railway and we have to have pre-employment screening for alcohol and drugs. Some roles requires eyesight/hearing tests too.

I totally empathise with this, not nursing but I've spent 30 years in jobs dealing directly with people and the public, it got to the stage towards the end where I almost got a telephone phobia because it felt like every time I picked one up someone would be complaining or shouting at me.

To cut a long story short I got made redundant and for better or worse I've ended up in manufacturing, certainly not a dream ticket but there's a certain joy in the fact that I don't have to answer any phone calls or deal with any member of the public whatsoever! I do my shift and go home, that's it.

I left nursing and it was the best decision I ever made. Almost every nurse I know is actively trying to leave the profession

You need to research it thoroughly first. I’ve known several colleagues come back after they’ve discovered working in a commercial environment poses it’s own challenges. Remember nursing is recession proof secure employment and offers an excellent pension. There are also many roles and opportunities within the NHS. Just be careful.