The nursing profession is growing, and the demand for nurses is higher than ever. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 13% growth in nursing jobs between 2016 and 2026—far faster than average. But even with this demand, many nurses don’t stay in their careers forever! For example, one study showed that nearly half of the nurses who graduated between 1996 and 2006 had already left their jobs by 2010. This means there are plenty of opportunities for those seeking to switch their career path from nursing or just simply try something new within healthcare!
Is It Time for a Nursing Career Change?
Are you ready to change your nursing career? Many nurses reach the point where they feel their nursing career is no longer fulfilling and it’s time for a change. This can be caused by several reasons, including feeling overworked or underappreciated, being underpaid for the work that you do, and even feeling burnt out from too much stress.
There are many different options available when it comes to switching your nursing career path. For example, some people choose to become an RN in a different field where they want more independence or flexibility (such as travel nursing). Or perhaps you want to go into private practice as a physician assistant (PA). There are many options available depending on what type of work environment will suit you best! Below are some of the jobs that you may want to consider if you are considering a nursing career change:
Career Change Options for Nurses
How do you know if it’s time for a career change? Consider these questions:
- Are you unhappy with your current position?
- Do you feel undervalued by your employer?
- Is the work environment toxic and unhealthy for your mental health? If so, then it may be time for some changes!
A career change is a great way to get out of a job that you don’t enjoy and into something new. If you’re thinking of changing careers, there are many different options available to nurses. One option is going back to school, which can take anywhere from one semester up to four years. Another option is getting certified in another area of nursing or learning new skills through an online program or training course.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide direct patient care and consult with other health care professionals. They diagnose and treat patients, perform procedures and tests, and write prescriptions.
The work of a CNS can be very rewarding because they have the opportunity to work in many areas of nursing, such as critical care or psychiatric/mental health.
Nurse Educator
An instructor of nursing students is known as an “educator”. It’s important to note that not all educators hold teaching certificates; some may simply be experienced practitioners who want to share their knowledge with others through lectures or group discussions.
There are no specific education requirements to become a nurse educator. However, many employers will require applicants to have at least five years of experience in their field before hiring them.
The main duties of these professionals include teaching courses; researching topics related to health care delivery; preparing lesson plans; conducting assessments on students’ progress throughout their coursework; evaluating each student’s performance according to established criteria; documenting results (typically completed using electronic grade books).
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
An NP is a registered nurse who has completed a master’s degree in nursing. This can include a master of science, master of nursing, or doctorate. NPS is more advanced than RNs and is often trained to provide care to patients with more complex health conditions. They can practice independently without supervision by a physician.
An NP can:
- Provide diagnosis and treatment for both common illnesses and chronic medical conditions
- Order diagnostic tests, such as blood work or imaging studies (X-rays)
- Prescribe medications
Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
If you’re considering a career change, you might want to consider becoming a clinical nurse leader (CNL). CNLs are the next generation of nurse leaders and they have a broad range of skills. They have an understanding of patient care that goes beyond the bedside, with a holistic view of what it means to provide good care.
To become a CNL, you’ll need to earn at least an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) and then complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program.
CNLS can be found in hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and ambulatory settings such as clinics and private offices. Their job is to help nurses achieve their full potential by providing support for staff development initiatives, designing programs for quality improvement, or addressing issues related to patient safety or risk management within their organization.
Nursing Informatics Specialist
Nursing informatics specialists are relatively new to the nursing world, but they are one of the most promising careers in health care today.
In this position, a nurse will use technology to help improve patient outcomes and make their experience with the healthcare system better. This may involve using electronic health records (EHRs) or other digital tools to figure out how patients can be better served by caregivers.
Health Care Administrator
Healthcare administrators are responsible for the overall management of a healthcare facility. They are involved in the planning, organizing, and directing of the delivery of health care services. As well as ensuring that their facility is run efficiently and meets government regulations, they also typically oversee financial aspects such as budgeting, payrolls, and billing.
5 Steps To Start Your Career Transition From Nursing
Once you’ve got a clear vision of what you want to do next, it’s time to take the first steps toward getting there. Here are the five steps I recommend:
- Figure out your important values and priorities.
- Identify possible jobs that fit with those values and priorities (and are in line with what you’re good at).
- Research potential employers by talking with friends who work there or reading reviews online; conduct informational interviews; and get technical training for any skills gaps that remain between where you are now and where you want to be (if needed).
- Apply for jobs—a lot of them—even if they don’t seem like good fits at first glance (but don’t give up easily; keep looking even after multiple rejections!).
- Keep going! If nothing else seems promising, keep applying until something does…and remember all those “useless” skills from nursing that might help you land a new gig sooner than expected
Why do nurses change careers?
In the US, nurses are looking for a more fulfilling career. In Canada, they’re looking for one that’s more challenging. And in Australia? They want to find an option that allows them to take time off when they need it. Regardless of where you live, there’s no doubt about it: nurses are changing their careers because they’re ready for something different!
- Nurses who want something more challenging will look into jobs like nursing home administration or case management (which involves managing patients’ care).
- Those who want a job that offers better pay should consider becoming an ER nurse supervisor or moving into healthcare informatics (a fancy term for “using technology”!)
The Bottom Line
So, what is a nursing career change? It’s not just about switching from one job to another. It’s about finding something that will make you happier and more fulfilled in your work life. And if you’re ready for this kind of change, then we hope our article has helped give you some ideas about where to start!
