Recently, nurses have been leaving the profession in droves. While everyone’s situation is unique, the common causes of this trend are very similar. For millions of providers on the front lines, change is on the horizon. So to make this career transition easy, Top Applicant had lunch with former healthcare professionals to get their insight on making a career change for nurses.
What was your lightbulb moment?
“Like so many of my peers, I was working 12- to 16-hour overnight shifts. In addition to work, I had to take care of my home, which often meant I had to stay up for 24 hours straight. That was fun when I was younger, but I realized that if I wanted a family, something was going to have to give. That was my lightbulb moment.
“Deciding to leave healthcare originally felt like it was going to be easy, but after saving lives, I wasn’t sure if I could ever find anything quite as rewarding. I talked to my close friends and my family to make sure I was ready to leave my profession.”
How did you start your career transition?
“My transition wasn’t too different than many career changes for nurses. I started by taking stock of my strengths and seeing where those could take me. I found that healthcare involves great problem-solving skills, process-oriented thinking, and performing under pressure. All of these make for a good manager.
“Since my local Target isn’t quite as action-packed as the back of an ambulance, I set my sights on a more fast-paced environment to become a manager. For comparable pay, I learned about project management and started hitting the books to make the change. As I applied for jobs, I read and completed certifications that helped to increase my value as a candidate.”
Where did you learn about your new career?
“I found my job by searching on a job posting site much like Top Applicant. My job hunt was very slow on the site I used because of the lack of communication capabilities between me and the hiring managers. But I eventually found my way to a budding startup with big dreams.
“Unfortunately, not every career change for nurses works out the first time. In time, the startup turned into a non-starter. I thought about going back to healthcare, but doubled down and found my current job. I get to solve problems for my clients during normal hours and still make it home to enjoy time with my family.”
How did you find your current job?
“Google, of course! I found my current job through a different job search site than I originally used. On this platform, I felt that I had more communication with my hiring manager. That really helped me feel like I made the right decision.
“I would have loved the opportunity to share my unique story and how my skills as a provider translate to project management. Luckily, I had a great hiring manager and great leaders devoted to helping me become the best person and professional I can be. Top Applicant is a great platform to foster communication, so I would recommend this to anyone looking into a career change for nurses, educators, or anyone ready to change careers.
The more you learn, the more you grow.
Saving lives is one thing, but enjoying your own is another. If you’re ready to make the change that millions of people make every year, start your journey with Top Applicant. We hope you enjoyed some firsthand insight into making a career change for nurses. To make your next career move, sign in and jumpstart your job search!
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