How to Break Out of Nursing Profession When Potential Employers Don't Want You To?

[PringlesDippedInHoney]

Help! Are there any nurses out there who have managed to break out from the profession? Please tell me how you did it! I left my nursing job a year ago because of mental health issues brought on by bullying. I am trying to get non-nursing jobs but I have been unsuccessful so far. Not one employer has responded to my application even though I have several years' experience in the sectors I've applied for (worked in retail, hospitality & admin before becoming nurse). I have been very careful to pitch my applications to the individual employers, present myself in the most positive light, get professional support with my applications etc. but still no responses; not even from hospitality which is supposedly crying out for staff. I think I know why. You see, whenever I mention to someone (not a health care worker) that I want to leave the profession, they usually look sad then desperately try to persuade me not to leave. They tell me that I am needed and what a wonderful job nurses do. I suspect that potential employers feel the same and that is why I don't hear from them. How can I get round this problem without lying? Nurses are needed, but I can't deal with the bullying that is endemic within the NHS. The bullying I experienced robbed me of confidence in my nursing abilities and I have been rejected for the many nurse jobs which I applied for since then. How can I get round my problem?

Can you go into eg a bar and ask if they have work and drop a CV off in person? You could ask for a trial shift and if they need staff they might be willing to take a chance on you if they've met you. Or see if you can pick up some casual hospitality or admin work through an agency. Having something, anything recent on your cv will help you get the next role. Otherwise I'd try and apply for entry level work in eg the civil service or another national employer or large organisation, they shouldn't be put off by the career change or the employment break if you explain it. Some employers have schemes to attract people who are returning to work after a break or who want to retrain. There are also free government skills bootcamps that might give you a new qualification and help you break into a new career.

@WindowFrogs Thanks for your advice. I hadn't thought of going via admin or hospitality agencies. I will google some now.

Is it possible the issue is not that case that your leaving the nursing/healthcare world and more to do with the fact they see you as over qualified for the positions you are applying for?

I don't think so. I already had a degree when I previously got work as a sales assistant, room attendant, waitress, admin etc. They were happy to take me on then. I haven't mentioned my previous degree on my recent applications; just my nursing degree.

Maybe look to do a course in the field that you want to go into. That's what I did. And when I was asked at interview why I was leaving nursing I was honest about the state of the NHS and the impact it has on doing the job. I emphasised that I was passionate about doing the best job possible for my patients but the set up didn't allow me to do that so I was bringing my passion to a new field

What have you been doing for the last year? Have you been unemployed since you left your nursing job? If you haven't been working, that'll be what's deterring people.

With the greatest respect I sincerely doubt that employers are sifting you out due to some noble belief that nurses must stay nurses.

@SparklyCyanNewt That's fantastic! I love what you have said. Thanks.

Have you looked at jobs in your local authority? We have a massive department that supports people with disabilities to live independently. Your background would fit right in, we have lots of ex nurses in several roles

Did you move jobs a lot within the nhs? They might think that you are using them as a stop gap to something better. I am a nurse and hopeful to leave after having my next child, however I have been looking at jobs of a similar salary as I am paid well. Jobs such as office managers etc, which I appreciate may be hard to get into coming from a nursing background. Do you have any managerial experience?

@atticstage Ok. You are probably right. I have just been feeling really down today, so that has probably influenced my viewpoint. I have spent the last year volunteering in a charity shop and also for a community advice service.

Are you interested in a related role in a different industry? For example there are roles within Insurance for qualified nurses, I've copied a few below so you can see the type of thing:

International Emergency Medical Nurse - Part Time (22.5 Hours) https://g.co/kgs/p3mmzM8

Or something like this (now expired but just for ideas)

https://www.admiraljobs.co.uk/job/medical-specialist-travel-insurance-in-hybrid-jid-1880#

I've also seen nurse jobs for people who assess insurance sickness claims or assist supporting getting people back into work after long term sickness etc.

I'm wondering if the people you are applying to assume as you are overqualified, that you won't stay long and be on the look out for something better paid?

Good luck on your search.

@yeesh Thanks. I will look into this.

@horseswithwings No, I didn't move around. I stayed in the same job and climbed the career ladder. I was management level as a nurse. I have applied for several managerial roles in retail and admin and I thought my current voluntary work would serve as recent experience. Maybe it is just a case of waiting. I guess I need to be patient and not get too down.

https://careers.redcross.org.uk/vacancies/vacancy-search-results.aspx

Or work for an organisation like this? Or in disaster recovery like Kenyon etc?

@YellowRollercoaster Thank you so much. The job looks great. My confidence is really low ...... but maybe I could do a job like this.

Honestly you really could. You must have so many skills that are sought after. Financial services companies are generally good employers with good benefits packages. You could apply for them and if you don't get them ask for feedback as big companies like this are likely to be used to providing this.
Good luck whatever you do.

That sounds really valuable volunteer work that will put you in a positive light with the right employer.

Job hunting is always emotionally draining, even more so if you're out of work. Try not to take it personally.

It might just be volume of applicants, something on your CV that's not making it through automated screening, bad luck, being pipped to the post by other candidates...

If you can find a good agency or recruiter they will review your CV and give advice. If you don't have that, is there anyone who can look over your CV?

Sometimes it does just take time and perseverance.

I left Nursing five years ago after 35 years of Nursing ( and completely burnt out ! ) but did have to take a big pay cut to do so. I had always worked in Oncology and palliative care and saw a job advertised for a benefits advisor specializing in working with cancer patients. I applied and was given it and for a while I did this alongside some nursing work. I taught myself a lot of new skills but also had some good training given by my employer. I gradually dropped the Nursing work altogether and got better paid/ full time benefit advice jobs. I now work for a charity for older people and help people over 50's to claim mostly disability benefits, fill out the forms, support them at assessments, help them apply for Blue badges, do benefit checks and also bits of advice on social care, referring for occupational therapy assessments, signposting to organisations that can help people with mh issues, hoarding etc. I love my job most of the time and it is so rewarding. After 5 years feel like I'm earning a decent income. the downside is that most jobs are only funded for a set length of time, and there is no job security. I feel like I'm still using some nursing skills/ communication skills as do have to deal with people who are in crisis, bereaved or just very ill. On the whole I have never regretted leaving Nursing, I think if I had stayed it would have killed me.
If you were interested you could perhaps try to get some volunteer work with citizens advice, they offer great training.

A great big thanks to all of you for responding to my post. I was feeling so low, but I am feeling positive now thanks to you all. I have taken your great advice on board and I am going to put them into practice.