Has anyone had a career change after nursing and if so what?

[poptot]

I'm stuck in a rut work full time in a senior post not in my area of choice and really want to get out of the NHS full stop. I do have a degree and lots of management and clinical courses but it's all I've ever done and don't know what else to do now. Any ideas?

Hi all I’m so glad I found this thread knowing I’m not the only nurse feeling this way! I have only ever worked in the healthcare sector and feel mentally and physically drained by it after 13 years. I would love to train as something else, I have no idea where to even start or what I would do.
I currently do bank nursing which i enjoy and it is much less stress, but never really feel part of the team and just feel like I’m coasting along with no direction.
I have also tried the PIP assessor role and whilst yes the pay is good, there is a lot of pressure and minimum support from management. It is also very emotionally draining listening to peoples problems all day and knowing the majority are not going to meet the threshold to get PIP.
Has anyone got any success stories of leaving the profession all together and starting a new career path?

Hi All,

Just felt to contribute to the thread.

Nurse in Australia, mid thirties, 8ish years experience (MH/outpatients), burnt out by many of the same issues raised on this thread.

I'm still on my career change quest, of course a daunting prospect, esp when considering the time/financial implications, as I've already done 2 degrees. So I just wanted to share a few free resources I've found on my way, maybe there's someone out there in the big old world that might find them helpful...??

Book: "What colour is your parachute?" - apparently the careers bible. In-depth look at yourself and how to find a career that will suit.

Book: "Your money or your life" - not career, but about relationship to money. Kinda ties in with considerations of financial implications of changing from nursing. (the financial advice is very outdated, but the soul searching stuff is good - it's just food for thought).

Saylor.org - Created by Mike Saylor, basically college level & professional courses for free. (I don't want to go into debt for a third degree! Maybe a good spot to explore potential interests..?)

Also other free online courses in Khan Academy, free code camp, Coursera and the like, depending on your interests...

I'm also considering seeing a career change consultant; nurses are so agile and multi-talented, but it's often hard to see when we're in it. I think a professional might be able to highlight our skills, build up confidence, and potentially give a realistic picture of the working world outside of nursing etc. (Definitely a luxury to pay for this service, but could potentially be fairly life-changing..?)

My current plan is 2 x night shifts to keep me afloat while I figure out next steps... Also considering trying to hustle my way into a part-time "internship" in an industry that interests me to get a bit of experience, combined with some free courses, to try to muscle my way into a new field. It's an unorthodox path, but kinda feel like I'm just bootstrapping myself into a new job. At least this way, I won't be paying to retrain in something I may or may not like. 🤷

Much strength to all the nurses out there.
Know your worth.
We all deserve a happy, peaceful existence, and I wish everyone here nothing less 🙏💫😊

I have been nursing now since 25 years and is dual qualified but most of my career was in mental health in the community.
My passion was not to be a Nurse but I always wanted to migrate to England to study and nursing was the easiest and affordable training in those days . Initially I did enjoy working as a community psychiatric nurse .
Since the agenda for change in 2006 , I started loosing interest in nursing and for the last three years I have no interest and just don’t want to be working as a nurse . I have been doing Locum the last 7 years but still it did not make any difference.
I struggle to get up in the morning to get dress to go to work and my journey to work involves a lot of travelling which makes it worst .
I do not want to be a nurse anymore and ready for a complete career change .
Any suggestions or advice anyone can give me please ?

I am happy to have came across this thread. Any success for any nurses?

I'm 11 years qualified and have well and truly had it! I left my post 2 years ago and remained on the bank and agency. I enjoyed at first. Do your shift and leave. But its got to the point, where you think, what's the point. The NHS only care about audits, paperwork and clearing beds.

I walked out after getting my hand over tonight. I had an agency shift which the work load was ridiculous and I'm a person that will work my butt off. I like being busy. I had to lie and say sorry I need to leave. Family emergency.

I really need a complete change, yet I can't find a brain cell that can pinpoint an idea. I have the usual trapped syndrome of financial need and young children.

I usually do nights so I'm around for my kids. I would do anything tbh. However all options appear poorly paid. Maybe declare bankruptcy to break the chain (dont know if thats possible with a mortgage)

Yes that's how much I want out for all the reasons already stated by other nurses.

I cant even bear the thought of providing sub standard care, or winging it because you can't possibly do the work of 3 people!

Advice would be greatly recieved.