Nursing is known for its high burnout rates; if you’re in the profession, you likely understand why. If you’re a nurse thinking about a career change, you might be asking yourself, “What is the most common career change for nurses?” While many nurses often transition into roles like pharmaceutical sales or nurse education, others prefer to explore opportunities outside the medical field.
Let’s explore some career change for nurses options. We’ll teach you how to leverage your nursing skills in new roles outside patient care.
Key Takeaways
- Many nurses consider career changes due to stress, poor work-life balance, and physical and emotional strain. Burnout is a leading cause of the national nurse shortage, with 66% of nurses citing it as a critical issue.
- Nurses have diverse career opportunities within and beyond healthcare, including roles such as nurse educator, healthcare administrator, medical writer, pharmaceutical sales representative, and real estate broker. Each role leverages the transferable skills nurses already possess.
- Transitioning to a new career involves assessing skills, researching potential paths, networking, and pursuing additional education or certifications. Real estate, for example, offers flexibility and work-life balance, making it a popular choice for nurses.
- Career resources like NCWorks Career Centers and Superior School of Real Estate provide guidance, training, and support for individuals transitioning to new roles, particularly in North Carolina.
Reasons for Considering a Career Change
Nursing consistently ranks among professions with high burnout rates. According to a recent poll published on Nurses.org, 66% of nurses surveyed said nurse burnout is the leading cause of the national nurse shortage.
What causes this nurse burnout, leading many to consider a career change? Most say stress, poor work/life balance, and physical and mental strain lead to burnout. Additionally, some nurses change careers because they want to try something new.
Let’s do a deep dive into the reasons you may be considering a career change for nurses.
Stress
Nurses enter the field fully aware they’ll face life-and-death situations daily. However, the stress of the job is often exacerbated by insufficient staffing.
According to the survey above, only 33% of nurses reported their facility had “adequate staffing,” This lack of staffing often leaves nurses struggling to provide the high-quality care they strive for while juggling overwhelming workloads.
Desire for a better work-life balance
Nursing schedules often include 12-hour shifts, overnight hours, and weekends, making it difficult to prioritize personal pursuits or family time. Many nurses find it challenging to maintain a healthy work-life balance under these conditions.
Unlike other professions, nurses can’t simply step away to attend a child’s school event or leave early to enjoy a sunny afternoon. Instead, they must remain vigilant and attentive during their entire shift as lives are on the line.
Physical and emotional strain
The physical demands of nursing are significant. They often require long hours on your feet and tasks that involve heavy lifting, all while you’re exposed to infectious diseases. According to Nurse Together, a 12-hour shift can involve walking as much as five miles.
In addition to physical fatigue, the emotional toll of nursing is considerable. Nurses often build close bonds with patients and their families, making it especially tough to witness suffering, loss, and grief. Over time, this emotional strain can lead to burnout, negatively affecting mental health and causing some to question their ability to continue in the field.
Seeking new challenges and growth opportunities
Sometimes, the desire for change stems from a natural curiosity or the pursuit of personal growth. While data varies, studies suggest the average American switches careers—not just jobs—between 3 to 7 times. Perhaps you’ve enjoyed your time as a nurse but are ready to explore new challenges in a related or (perhaps) a completely different field.
Top Career Change Options for Nurses
What are the best jobs for a nurse ready to change careers? Here are some of the most common career change for nurses within and outside the healthcare industry.
1. Nurse educator
Average salary of nurse educator in North Carolina: $101,224 (Source: Indeed, January 2025
Job description: A nurse educator develops and implements educational programs to train and mentor aspiring or practicing nurses.
How to become a nurse educator: To pursue a career as a nurse educator, you’ll need to earn a Master’s or Doctoral degree in nursing education or a related discipline, acquire clinical nursing experience, and obtain certification to showcase your expertise in teaching and curriculum design.
2. Healthcare administrator
Average salary of healthcare administrator in North Carolina: $64,713 (Source: Indeed, January 2025)
Job description: A healthcare administrator oversees the operations of healthcare facilities, ensuring efficient delivery of services, managing budgets, staff, and compliance with regulations to maintain quality patient care.
How to become a healthcare administrator: To become a healthcare administrator, earn a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management, business, or a related field. Then, gain experience in healthcare settings through internships or entry-level positions and develop leadership, finance, and operations management skills. Certifications, such as the Certified Healthcare Administrator (CHA), can enhance your qualifications.
3. Medical writer
Average salary of a medical writer in North Carolina: $104,032 (Source: Indeed, January 2025)
Job description: A medical writer produces clear, precise, and compelling scientific content, such as research articles, regulatory documents, educational resources, and marketing materials tailored for healthcare professionals, organizations, or the public.
How to become a medical writer: To pursue a career as a medical writer, hone your writing and research skills, and obtain relevant experience or certifications in medical writing to showcase your proficiency in the field.
4. Pharmaceutical sales representative
Average salary of pharmaceutical sales representative in North Carolina: $89,138 (Source: Indeed, January 2025)
Job description: A pharmaceutical sales representative promotes and sells medications to healthcare professionals, such as doctors and pharmacists. They build relationships, provide product information, answer questions, and stay updated on industry trends to ensure their products meet the needs of patients and healthcare providers.
How to become a pharmaceutical sales representative: To become a pharmaceutical sales representative, earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, or business. Develop strong communication and sales skills and gain experience in sales or customer service. Pursuing certifications like the Certified Sales Professional (CSP) or training programs in pharmaceutical sales can enhance your qualifications. Networking and applying to pharmaceutical companies are key steps to launching your career.
5. Real estate broker
Average salary of real estate agent in North Carolina: $109,797 (Source: Indeed, January 2025)
Job description: Real estate agents (called brokers in North Carolina) assist clients in buying, selling, or renting properties, but a real estate license opens the door to many other career opportunities. For instance, brokers can specialize in property management, focus on specific niches like commercial or luxury real estate, or transition into related fields.
One key advantage of being a real estate broker is the flexibility it offers, allowing for an excellent work-life balance. Additionally, as a broker, you’ll play a meaningful role in helping families navigate one of the most significant and emotional decisions of their lives.
How to become a real estate agent in North Carolina: Real estate brokers must complete a licensing process involving taking courses and passing a test and background check. Learn more about becoming a broker in North Carolina in the next section.
Becoming a Real Estate Agent
You probably have some idea of what real estate agents do. You may have utilized one’s services when buying or selling a home. However, here are some key points you need to know about working as a real estate agent.
- Real estate brokers work on commission, which is typically a percentage of the property’s sale price.
- Real estate brokers often focus on a niche, such as commercial real estate, condos, beach properties, or luxury homes. You may also focus on serving a specific type of buyer, such as real estate investors, military families, or first-time home buyers.
- Working in real estate appeals to those with entrepreneurial spirits, as it is similar to having your own business.
- Many real estate agents start working part-time in the industry in order to become licensed, learn skills, and develop contacts.
Why nurses make great real estate agents
What skills do nurses have that are transferable to other careers? Nurses possess a variety of transferable skills that make them well-suited for a career in real estate.
Their strong communication abilities help them educate clients, collaborate with teams, and build trust—essential for successful transactions.
Problem-solving skills, developed through managing complex situations, enable them to adapt to challenges in the dynamic real estate market.
Attention to detail ensures accuracy in contracts and property listings, while exceptional time management skills allow them to handle multiple clients and deadlines effectively.
Their empathy and emotional intelligence help them understand and meet clients’ unique needs while networking and relationship-building expertise are invaluable for fostering connections and growing a client base in the real estate industry.
In short, nurses make great real estate agents! And since many real estate agents start by working part-time, you can pursue the career on your days off from the hospital and transfer to full-time real estate when ready.
Steps to become a licensed real estate agent
Here are the steps to become a real estate broker in North Carolina.
Step 1: Complete the 75-hour broker pre-licensing course through a reputable real estate school, such as Superior, which offers in-person, livestream, and online options.
Step 2: Submit a license application with the required fee and documentation to the North Carolina Real Estate Commission. After receiving exam eligibility, schedule your licensing exam with Pearson Vue.
Step 3: Pass the North Carolina real estate broker’s exam by thoroughly preparing with exam prep materials, practice tests, and a comprehensive review of the course content.
Step 4: Obtain your Provisional Broker’s License, which can be upgraded to a full license by completing three 30-hour post-licensing courses within 18 months.
You can earn your provisional broker’s license in North Carolina in just a couple of months.
Steps to Transition to a New Career
How do nurses transition to a new career? Whether you’ve decided to become a real estate broker or pursue the requirements to become a hospital administrator, here are some tips for nurses as they transition to a new career.
Assess your skills and interests
Take career quizzes and interest inventories to discover careers that best suit you. Reflect on the transferable skills you’ve developed in nursing, such as communication, problem-solving, and attention to detail, and how they can be applied in other professions.
Research potential career paths
Explore industries and roles that align with your skills and interests. Look into job requirements, salary expectations, growth potential, and day-to-day responsibilities to ensure a fit. For example, if you enjoy working with people, consider careers in real estate or healthcare administration.
Network and seek mentorship
Connect with professionals in your desired field to gain insights and guidance. Attend industry events, join relevant online communities, and reach out to mentors who can provide advice and help you navigate your transition. Networking can also lead to job opportunities and valuable connections.
Pursue additional education or certifications
Depending on your chosen career path, you may need additional qualifications. Research the necessary degrees, certifications, or licenses and identify programs that fit your schedule and budget. For instance, aspiring real estate brokers need to complete pre-licensing courses, while healthcare administrators often require advanced degrees.
By taking these steps, you’ll position yourself for a successful career transition and find a path that aligns with your strengths and goals.
Additional Resources and Support for Career Changers
There are plenty of resources to help you in your career pivot.
- NCWorks Career Centers: Offers in-person and online resources for individuals looking for jobs in North Carolina.
- NC Careers: This website allows you to research careers and training opportunities in North Carolina.
- UNC Health: Learn about health careers in North Carolina.
- Superior School of Real Estate: Superior School of Real Estate offers resources and courses you need to become a real estate agent in North Carolina.
Good luck to you as you complete a career transition in North Carolina. Remember, every new opportunity starts with a single step, and your unique skills and determination will guide you toward success. Stay focused, embrace the learning process, and don’t hesitate to seek support along the way. Your future awaits!
