HELP! I've been an RN for 14 yrs and I can't take the stress anymore. I need guidance to change careers.

Question

I've tried several areas of nursing and I've discovered that the long hours and stress isn't for me. I am the primary income for my family so I just continue in this unhappy cycle year after year. I've considered massage therapy or something in the holistic healing area. I enjoy working but I am screaming out for help to find a less stressful and more enjoyable career. I'm proud that I help people in their times of need, but the chronic worry and stress has started to cause physical and mental health problems. Any advice or suggestions are welcome.

Answer 1

I don't know what state you are from, but I know that in the area of Central Cal where I live there are many different opportunities for RNs. You said you have tried different areas, and that is good, however, if you did decide on a career change I do not think you could find an entry level career offering anything approaching the salary you now earn. My sister is an RN and she worked in a local hospital and like you did not like the hours, stress or conditions. About a year ago she went to work as an RN in the California State Prison system and seems to really enjoy her job now. Much less stress and much higher pay. I know the prisons are always looking for qualified RNs. Good Luck in whatever you decide.

Answer 2

My first career lasted over 20 years before the stress of the job and lifestyle became more than I could handle, but I still enjoyed being around boats and the water. For me the answer was to get into education. I have been teaching others about boats since 1992 and enjoy it very much. Since I have a love-hate relationship with working on the water I can inform newcomers of both the good and bad points of maritime employment.

There are many community colleges that have nursing programs and with 14 years experience you should have something to offer the program. Most vocational education programs value experience in the vocational field. Anyway, it worked for me, it may work for you.

Good Luck

Answer 3

One great thing about nursing is that there are so many types of nursing jobs. Have you considered working in a day surgery office, where the hours are typically 8 - 5, Monday through Friday and the surgical procedures are elective? How about becoming a school nurse? Or you could go back to school to qualify to teach nursing at a university? Some hospitals allow you to work per diem, setting your own schedule, working as much (or as little) as you need to. You could become a traveling nurse, visiting patients in their homes.

There is such a shortage of skilled nursing care today. Depending upon where you live, you may be able to write your own ticket.

Also, depending upon where you live, massage therapy can be a very lucrative career, especially if you're in a resort area. Bear in mind that it is very physically demanding work, too.

Good luck on your search!

Answer 4

80% of massage school graduates will not be practicing massage in two years.

It is not a stressful job, but very physically demanding.

I love this profession but left after 4 years of full time work and I am much happier now (I work in business).

After 14 years you should be able to teach nursing or do private work such as home health care. I would say you are an expert in nursing so you should leverage this experience with a managerial role at a health care company or nurse manager.

Answer 5

I know a massage therapist who loves her work. She sets her own schedule and still takes care of her family and her 18month old child. You can have regular hours if you choose. It is also a legitimate way to still be in the field of helping others. You still should get some training and certification. Your family will eventually start figuring ways of kicking in some income. You might need to explain that for the health and sanity of yourself, you need to do this. Ask them if you'd like a happier, less nagging/yelling version of yourself. Put like this, how can they say no? Good luck!

By the way, you could also look into doing some Nurse training at a college. That makes good money, set schedules, and something that you are trained for already. So you can help others, yet not have the stresses of working in the thick of it.

Answer 6

It's vital you make the right choice.

You need a career you are going to enjoy. One that matches your strengths and skills and offers you the chance to exploit your talents to the full, without expecting you to do things that you really don't enjoy.

An excellent website that can give you some insights into this is:

www.fasttomato.com

I have absolutely no connection with this site, but discovered it recently when I went to a careers fair with my son. Although it is targeted mainly at school leavers, it still works for us slightly older folk. I used it on myself and it confirmed that I was more or less in the right line of work.

The site asks you some searching questions about yourself and then calculates what your most compatible career area would be. It's completely free to use so I think it's worth a try.

Good luck with your career search.

Bruce

Answer 7

You are headed in the right direction on holistic healing...the wave of the future is in teaching nutrition classes and nutritional assessment of patients...
My sister and I got fed up with "standardized medicine" because of our health problems. My sister will graduate this month as a CERTIFIED NUTRITIONAL THERAPIST (cnt)
I have gotten off of insulin shots, actos, blood pressure meds,
cholesterol meds, protonix (for Gerd) and put away the sleep machine I was on AND I've lost 35 lbs.
I am 16 yrs remission breast cancer and a diabetic and I take a thyroid supplement because I went through radio iodine uptake. I currently only take glucotrol xl and the thyroid supplement.
Go on ebay and look for a title "Fast Food Nation" read this book and it will help you make your final decision. OH, and the income....try $125.00 an hour per patient. At six patients a day x 5 days x 4 wks =15,000.00 a month. (This is the charge we pay when we see this instructor) The course would undoubtedly have a pricing guideline for you to start your business with new patients.
My sister's entire class cost her under $4000.00. (Includes books and classes) With your medical background these classes would be a snap for you. If you need the course she took email me and I'll get the course name and company from her.
It's a certified program and you will impact peoples' lives.

Answer 8

I once had a client who ran a temporary nurses agency. He got calls from hospitals that needed nurses all the time.

The nurses loved the idea of moving around from hospital to hospital so they didn't get stuck in a rut.

Bear in mind that the hospitals are interested in reducing their paperwork and benefit costs, which don't apply when they use nurses on a temporary basis. If you decide to g this route, you will prbably find one or more employer agencies that provide certain benefits.

I know money is not everything, but if you stay in your profession you will probably make a lot more money than if you change careers.

Good luck.

Answer 9

Well, 14 years of one career is a life time, you have to stay with your career and trian in another for you to see which suites you, Example if you like being a beautician, train it a bit, and t hen when you find your place, change, but i must tell you its hard...

And regarding the stress, all works are stressful, only if you work for google thats another thing :), try relaxing after you get home, watching tv and just relax, sleep early, give your kids to someone for a day and have it as a spa day for you.

Mothers need the rest from hectic work and noisy children but nevertheless we love them

Good luck

Answer 10

I am a counselor and you should probably visit a professional that will give you a test that gives you a answer for what you should pursue as a career. There are vocational counselors. There are tests that will lead you to a job that will make you happy while also bringing out all of your best attributes. The people you come in contact with while working will feel how much you enjoy your job, and this will make them interested and willing to listen about whatever you are doing. Best of luck. Do not worry. Your passion to work will lead you to ultimate success!