Although a nursing career is highly rewarding if you are dedicated to helping others, the extended hours with this job can be draining at times. Nurses usually work 24/7 shifts since nursing homes and hospitals never close. This often leads to them continuously working days, nights, weekends, and vacations, aside from being “on call” to be safe. Burnout is prevalent for nurses, and that is particularly true in facilities with staffing issues.
This is among the many reasons the US is experiencing a nursing shortage (forecast to continue through 2030). The BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) states that changing demographics boost demand for healthcare; however, job satisfaction remains low.
Considering all that and more, career transitions for nurses are becoming increasingly frequent, even in cases where extra training or education is required.
As nurses experiencing burnout in their field look for their next move, there are numerous career paths they could consider.
For instance, some may consider a nurse practitioner program, such as the one offered at Walsh University, where they could apply for an online MSN-FNP degree and further their education online. Others may consider becoming physical therapists, medical scientists, and much more. Overall, there are plenty of possibilities to consider.
How to make a career transition from nursing
Deciding that you are ready for a career transition is only the initial step. The process involves selecting your career path and furthering your education, choosing how to reach your objectives, and considering other factors like family and money. Refer to the steps below as a roadmap as you consider aligning your interests and desires with your career.
Create a list of the careers you are interested in
It is best to create this list while still working as a nurse. Take your time to figure out what you want to do with your life. Your long-term goals would be an excellent place to begin.
Suppose you consider leaving healthcare altogether; list possible career choices based on your skills, talents, interests, and passions. Try researching the roles you are interested in and find out the pay grade, working environments, career growth opportunities, and the required qualifications to begin.
Consider your skillset
Deciding on a career path is one thing, but do you believe you have what it takes to follow it successfully? Make a list of your skills before deciding.
What skills helped you perform exceptionally as a nurse? Was it your knack for communicating efficiently, your ability to empathize, focus on more minor details, or leadership attributes?
Do you believe you have specific skills you did not get the chance to utilize while working as a nurse, e.g., IT, writing, or oratory skills? Note these skills, as they may help you narrow down some of the career paths mentioned in this article.
Ready yourself for scheduling or financial adjustments
Going through a career transition can also impact other parts of your life. For instance, you might have to enroll in a program to learn and upgrade your skills, requiring you to spend time away from your family and (possibly) pay more than usual. It might also take you a while to find a new suitable job.
Ensure that you are prepared for this journey and that your family and loved ones agree with your decisions.
Further your education
Quite often, your current experience may not be enough to direct you to a new career smoothly. You might need to obtain a particular certification or a new degree to help you transition to a new job. Research the programs you believe will give you the resources, skills, and knowledge required before enrolling.
You may be required to take part-time classes while simultaneously working full-time to fund your education. If your prospective career path is healthcare-focused, determine if your work can be seen as credit work to finish your studies quicker.
Begin your search
After you have acquired the relevant certificate or degree, you may begin applying for new jobs. Also, update your resume to show how you have prepared for your dream job. Interact with those already in that field for insight and apply for jobs every chance you get.
Remember to inform everyone in your network about your career transition plan so they can tell you if they find a suitable opportunity for you by any chance. Your former bosses and co-workers may likely be in contact with people who can assist you.
Career paths you can consider
Nurses have a solid foundation for pursuing other healthcare subfields due to their hands-on experience and extensive skills. Of course, applying for new certifications or degrees also makes a lot of difference.
Fortunately, many career paths you could transition to allow you to build on the knowledge and experience you already have.
Physical therapist
As a nurse, you most likely have the medical knowledge to work as a physical therapist. Both jobs call for empathy, patience, and communication. Professionals in the physical therapy field help individuals improve their physical mobility while managing pain tolerance levels via a series of varying exercises. As mentioned, with your prior experience, you will already have the soft skills and anatomical knowledge needed to become an excellent physical therapist.
Although a nursing school background will help, a doctorate in physical therapy is a prerequisite for joining the profession. Then again, all this should not be a challenge for someone with experience in nursing. You must also take and pass a state licensure exam.
Physical therapy is conducted in healthcare institutions such as hospitals and clinics, which will prove a natural transition for nurses. That said, it offers better working hours and conditions.
Online Nurse Practitioner
Anyone looking to work as a nurse practitioner must first become a registered nurse. Rather than visiting a hospital, patients now prefer to connect with their healthcare provider. A graduate degree is required for this career path. Therefore, you must obtain a master’s if you have not already. If you already hold a nursing degree, you only need a license based on your country or state to practice virtually.
Nurse practitioners are the main focus of the healthcare revolution. That is because they offer a great variety of treatments. You will find numerous opportunities working as an online nurse practitioner, provided you know the right decisions to make. This occupation has more advantages than nursing, including good pay, flexible working hours, and the option to work from home.
Working as a nurse practitioner is a natural career path for nurses interested in transitioning to a different career. This career path is expected to increase by 45% by 2030.
Clinical Documentation Specialist
A clinical documentation specialist manages and assesses a patient’s health information and medical records. This occupation requires a bachelor’s and a nursing license. These professionals guarantee health providers can look up patient data efficiently and accurately to care for patients. Employers expect professionals in this role to have 2-5 years of nursing experience.
This profession is rapidly growing as healthcare becomes increasingly accessible, creating abundant records. Specialists in this field must also be well-acquainted with HIPPA and regulations related to the privacy of health records. You must also have a background in information technology to move forward in this field.
Home Healthcare Worker
Home healthcare workers facilitate at-home patient care for those with chronic conditions and disabilities. These professionals are also referred to as personal care aides, health aides, or home health nurses. Such professionals may be directly employed by a patient or community-level healthcare service.
Like a nurse in a hospital, these professionals assist patients with eating, dressing, bathing, and other tasks requiring supervision. They also carry out clinical tasks, i.e., checking blood pressure, administering medicines, and wound care.
The positive thing about this healthcare branch is that you can select which patients you wish to work for and how long you will care for them. The pay is also decent, primarily if you work directly with a patient rather than a healthcare provider.
Health Educator
Health education is an emerging field projected to grow by 17% by 2030. A healthcare educator’s job is to teach and foster wellness among community members.
The professionals working in this career often host events on various healthcare issues. As a healthcare educator, you may work under non-profit and community organizations, government agencies, medical facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, faith-based institutions, and more.
Health educators must have at least a bachelor’s in health education. However, many employers acknowledge majors in other healthcare-related fields, e.g., a Bachelor of Science in nursing.
Medical Writer
Medical writers produce digital or print articles (besides other materials) related to healthcare and medical fields. Those who have excellent writing skills may find this field suitable.
The American Medical Writer’s Association (AMWA) offers all the career guidance you may need to become a medical writer, including networking opportunities and other information. The association may also offer you certification to work as a medical writer and launch a medical writing career on your own.
Medical writing is very much in demand at this point, i.e., employment for medical writers is projected to go up by 8% by 2028.
