If you have been nursing for a while and you want to change careers, you may be thinking about transferrable skills. Maybe you get stuck thinking that you can’t because, what other job is going to need someone to start an IV, hang a bag of antibiotics, or clean up poop?

We’ll come back to that last one because no matter what career you move into, there’s always crap to clean up!

Normally nursing is associated with mostly “physical” tasks but nursing also encompasses other more quiet skills!

When I moved into case management, other less noticeable nursing attributes came on line. Like leadership, communication, and diplomacy skills. I still had to prioritize and critically think but in a different way. These “soft” skills gave me the confidence to uplevel myself into a new career.

You may not be putting a high value on these “soft skills” because you’re probably taking them for granted, the way I did, as something that just operates in the background.

Building these less physical skills will help you gain confidence to leverage your expertise into a new career.

Jackie Gschwend helps nurses assess the cost of staying in nursing, finding what lights you up, while getting you comfortable with taking risks, and mapping your new path.

Do you ever get the feeling that you need to move on from nursing and then you get instantly overwhelmed and dismiss the idea because…well, how would you do that?

I’ve had those same feelings.

I’ve poured a lot of time and money into my nursing career. It is a respected profession. I love helping people so why wasn’t I happy?

Despite the reputable professional title of RN, I just wasn’t enjoying it anymore. My nursing job was becoming a chore. My nursing position in the healthcare system for me, was no longer sustainable.

I would fantasize about winning the lottery and tending my resignation. Or I would start looking for other opportunities, only to feel lukewarm about making a change.

It’s hard to leave the job security that nursing provides, I’m right there with you.

Here comes the BUT…

But if you want a different job or to feel excited about a new opportunity, you are going to have to take a risk.

Jackie Gschwend helps nurses assess the cost of staying in nursing, finding what lights you up, while getting you comfortable with taking risks, and mapping your new path.

You’ve thought about shifting into a different nursing role or career all together. You fantasize about it, especially after really hard days.

You know those days when your patient’s family feels you’re not doing enough or the doctor you’re working with nonchalantly mentions to the patient who can’t even walk, “of course you can fly tomorrow to your granddaughter’s wedding”.

And then you go home rant to anyone who will listen, get some sleep, spend time with family and the cycle begins anew.

How long have you done this cycle? Wanting to find something different but not really taking the next step.

I did this for more years than I care to admit. There were always just enough “good” days to justify my staying and playing my role.

Every time I would really look to do something different, I would rationalize my situation. I’m too old, I don’t have the energy to change, I know this job.

Really, I was just too scared to show up and be seen.

Jackie Gschwend helps nurses assess the cost of staying in nursing, finding what lights you up, while getting you comfortable with taking risks, and mapping your new path.

Find the full transcript for this episode and more resources for nurses here.

How many times in your career as a nurse have you heard the word burnout?

I know. As a nurse you talk about it constantly with other nurses, acknowledge its unwelcome presence. Sometimes are given a “Free Massage” day to distract you. Make sure you sign up during your 12-hour shift!

Don’t get me wrong, those moments of respite can be great little treats in your day.

But as nurses you are so use to stress at levels that most people can’t even imagine that you may not even be aware at how it is affecting you, until – you do.

Allow me to paint a familiar picture…

• Call lights ringing, your patient needs to use the bathroom but they are tethered to an IV pole that needs to be disconnected.
• They are schizophrenic
• They also need their blood sugar checked before each meal and guess what, the aide just told you that they already ate!
• Also, they have a nasty infection and they are under contact precautions, so you can’t go in the room until you put on the fabulous yellow gown, gloves and mask up.

And thats just one of your patients! What about the other 4??

So, day in day out, year after year, how are you doing?

Jackie Gschwend helps nurses assess the cost of staying in nursing, finding what lights you up, while getting you comfortable with taking risks, and mapping your new path.