7 Tips for Midcareer Nurses Planning on Switching Careers
Nursing is not like a typical desk job where you clock in at nine and clock out at five. It’s rather a way of life. The role of nurses extends beyond bandages, needles, and antibiotics. They are the ones who comfort the frightened child in the emergency room and educate patients about their health conditions. They also advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves.
They often have to skip their meals to hold the hands of patients breathing their last because their families never cared to show up. Nurses are not paid well despite putting in blood, sweat, and tears. Their paycheck reflects a 40-hour work week. But rarely do their shifts begin and end when they are supposed to.
In your 20s and 30s, it might be easier to handle the demands of such a profession. But as you move into your midcareer and beyond, you may find yourself reconsidering whether this is sustainable. Switching jobs, or solidified careers, at a certain age can definitely feel intimidating and overwhelming. Having practical and thoughtful tips that will help you navigate this transition with confidence can definitely help.
Let's look at the top 3 reasons midcareer Nurses choose to embark down new career paths:
Burnout and Physical Exhaustion
Let’s be honest: nursing can take a toll on your body. After years or decades of working long hours or enduring stressful situations, the body starts sending out warning signals. You’re tired—emotionally, physically, and mentally. That’s what burnout is.
In a cross-sectional study with 1760 healthcare workers, 91.1% of nurses surveyed reported experiencing high levels of burnout.
For many, burnout hits hard right around the "young and ripe age" of 40ish. Not that this is considered old, from a career or employment perspective, but when it becomes tough to keep up the same pace for another 20 years. This kind of physical and emotional exhaustion is one of the main reasons nurses consider making a career change right around this point.
The Need for More Control
Many people crave more control over their lives, especially professionals, as they hit their age of stride!Nurses often feel the strain of rigid schedules, high-stress environments, and demanding workloads. That makes them crave greater autonomy.
Working long shifts with little say over your schedule or patient assignments can feel stifling. Thus, many nurses seek roles that allow them to dictate their hours or focus on areas that truly interest them, whether a career in education or administration.
Pursuing Long-Ignored Passions
In the 20s and 30s, life is often about practicality: paying bills, climbing the career ladder, and maybe even raising a family. Pursuing those long-held dreams often gets pushed to the back burner because there’s real life to handle.
But once people reach a certain age bracket, the balance can begin to shift. You might have more financial stability, the kids might be getting older and more independent, your new husband (strapping 29-32 year old who won Texas Hunk) demands more of your time, and one it goes. Suddenly, those long-ignored passions resurface, and you start thinking, why not now?
Below are 7 useful tips for Nurses ready to switch careers mid-stream and begin down a new career journey:
1. Evaluate Your True Intentions and Why
Before you jump into a whole new career, it’s important to understand why you want to make this enticing switch. Are you feeling burned out from nursing? Is it the long hours, the are long hours causing major emotional stress, or the physical demands? Or are you just curious about trying something new?
It’s also good to figure out if you’re looking for a total career overhaul or just need a less stressful role within healthcare. For example, Louie Chan, a 30-year-old Bay Area nurse, has been a telemetry nurse since 2017. In 2020, she transitioned to a travel nurse position to earn more and experience different work environments.
This change helped her regain her passion for nursing as well as allowed her to explore new places while maintaining a connection to her field. Thus, reflecting on why you want to make the change will provide you with clarity and guide your decision-making.
2. Take Into Account Your Skills and Interests
You’re not only an expert in patient care. But you’ve also honed your communication skills, leadership abilities, time management, and critical thinking, just to name a few. All of these are incredibly valuable and transferable to other careers. Take a moment to think about what skills you truly enjoy using. That can help you pinpoint the type of career you’d like to pursue.
For instance, if you’ve enjoyed the teaching aspect of mentoring new nurses, you could consider moving into education or training. It’s not just about what you’re good at, however. It’s also about what you enjoy. Think about your interests outside of nursing. Do you love problem-solving? Perhaps consulting could be a good fit.
Have you always wanted to write, start a business, or maybe dive into tech? You can leverage those interests to explore new opportunities.
3. Explore Careers That Align With Your Skills and Interests
Nursing experience sets nurses up for many fields beyond healthcare. That could be anything from healthcare administration to patient advocacy or public health.
If you want to stay in the healthcare field but step away from direct patient care, roles in administration, management, or policy could be a great fit. But if you have a knack for communication and persuasion, medical sales or consulting can be lucrative and offer a change of pace from patient care.
Healthcare writing is also a worthwhile option, whether it’s for medical journals, content for health websites, or even writing textbooks. Medical writers, the American Medical Writers Association, are in high demand.
Research your options well, hence. Look into different industries and roles that align with your strengths and passions. Browse specific online healthcare career websites to see what roles catch your eye.
Check out LinkedIn or industry-specific forums to gain insights from people already working in fields you’re curious about. While you’re at it, look into the educational requirements, salary ranges, and job outlook for different careers. This information will help you weigh your options realistically.
4. Get Educated Quickly and Be Strategic
In some cases, switching careers will require additional education or certification. Pursuing additional education or certification might feel overwhelming. But think of it as an investment in your future. Before you sign up for an expensive program, do your homework. Figure out what qualifications are necessary for the field you want to move into and determine the best and most affordable way to get there.
Take, for example, you want to jump into something completely different, like mental health. In that case, you will have to pursue a master’s degree in mental health counseling programs. A master’s degree in counseling, Walsh University says, imparts the skills needed to pursue job opportunities in school counseling, career counseling, and professional mental health counseling.
For a working individual like you, it’s impossible to juggle your work duties while pursuing a traditional on-campus program. These days, many universities offer online master’s in mental health counseling programs. These programs provide the flexibility to earn your degree while managing your current job and responsibilities.
They are designed to prepare you for licensure and clinical practice. Plus, you can complete them within 18 to 24 months, depending on the structure and pace of the program. Just make sure to enroll in CACREP-accredited counseling programs. CACREP accreditation ensures the program meets the standards necessary for licensure.
5. Network With Those in Your Field of Interest
You’ve likely built a strong professional network. But now that you’re transitioning to a new career, it’s essential to expand that network to include people in the field you’re moving into.
Connect with professionals who are already working in your field of interest. One of the best ways to do that is to reach out to people in your existing network. Jump onto LinkedIn. Don’t be afraid to send a friendly message to people whose work you admire or who are in roles you’re curious about. Most professionals are happy to chat and share insights.
Attend local events related to your industry. You’ll learn something new there as people discuss trends, opportunities, and career tips. And you never know, you might end up meeting someone who can give you your big break into the field.
According to Jenna Spathis, senior unit manager of LaSalle Network, the chances of getting considered for a career are reduced if professionals don’t focus on networking. This is because many jobs never make it to job boards.
6. Prepare Financially for This Transition
It’s natural to worry about loss of income, increased expenses, and the probable inability to maintain your existing lifestyle when making a career transition. That is why it’s important to get your finances in order before you make the leap. That can help ease the stress about money.
Create a detailed budget, advises Forbes. A well designed out budget will help you understand your financial situation as well as spot potential shortfalls. That will help you allocate resources more effectively.
You might even want to build up an emergency fund or save several months’ worth of expenses to give yourself a cushion. It’s always a good idea to have a financial game plan before making any big moves.
7. Dip Your Toes in Before Diving
Test the waters before you make a full commitment. You could try freelancing or taking on part-time work in the field you’re interested in. Even volunteering would be great. This way, you can gain some experience and see if it’s a good fit without walking away from your nursing career just yet.
Suppose you plan to switch careers as a veterinary nurse and have obtained a veterinary nursing degree. Early this year, OIPA Cameroon was looking for three to five volunteers for its mobile vet clinic, including a Vet Nurse. You could participate in such a program.
It will give you hands-on experience and a chance to build connections in the field. Plus, you will gain valuable insight into day-to-day tasks and challenges. That will help you make a more informed decision before fully transitioning from your nursing career.
This will allow you to avoid the all-or-nothing pressure and give yourself the time and space to make the transition at your own pace. As a nurse, you demonstrate resilience, dedication, and adaptability, which are qualities that will serve you well in any field. Just spend enough time researching your options. Rest assured that you will choose a career path that aligns with your passions.
