Dear Reader
This is such a tough spot to be in. I think at some point all of us who work in health specifically, question if we’ve made the right decision for ourselves and if it is viable to do this kind of work for the rest of our lives. For nursing in particular, I can imagine this is so amplified right now with the state of the workplace, on top of the pay disputes. I imagine your job is extremely draining, thankless and exhausting on top of the emotional, physical and financial toll it is taking. I can definitely see why you’re considering a career change.
My first piece of advice to you is to book yourself in with a psychologist and talk about workplace boundaries and managing burnout. I’m worried for you when you say the job is taking such an emotional toll, and think it could be helpful for you to have a space with a psychologist who is just yours to work through this tough time and to help you avoid getting to the breaking point while you make this decision. They can also give you some support and scaffolding to make the best decision for you about where to go next.
The next thing I’d encourage you to consider is what you want your life to look like next. Do you want a job that is as on-the-go as nursing? Would you be okay with a desk job? Are you wanting more stable hours? More flexibility? Maybe take some time to write this down.
In terms of what to do next and the options you have, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, I would suggest reaching out to a manager or a trusted superior at work to discuss other options for careers in nursing. If there’s no one at work, chat with a career counsellor or a recruiter to see where your qualifications can fit outside the hospital setting. Could you go into teaching nurses? Could you go into sales or health research?
It’s also important to acknowledge that qualifications are such a great achievement but ask yourself this: Are the benefits of staying in a job where you use your qualifications worth the sacrifice of having the life you want? You could potentially have greater earning capacity and better hours if you switch to a role where you aren’t using your qualifications. Not working in the same field you got your degree in does not in any way diminish the massive achievement of attaining the qualifications in the first place. I’m proud of you for being brave and taking the next step that is most right for you, whatever that may be.
Read more of Amber’s advice here.
