Find a Job You Really Want In
The nursing profession has seen significant changes in recent years, leading many skilled practitioners to reconsider their career trajectories. As a result, a growing number of nurses are transitioning to new fields, seeking roles that align with their evolving interests and skills.
Despite a steady influx of individuals pursuing medical-related education, the number of applicants to nursing programs has declined. This trend raises an important question: what are former nurses pursuing in their professional lives now?
In our exploration of thousands of resumes from former nurses, we identified the top 100 alternative careers they have embarked upon. Here’s a sneak peek at the top ten exciting roles:
- Case Manager
- Career Manager
- Customer Service Representative
- Clinical Manager
- Volunteer
- Home Health Aide
- Medical Assistant
- Career Coordinator
- Clinical Coordinator
- Sales Associate
While these roles are valuable and utilize the skills honed during nursing careers, they may not be the most thrilling options. Therefore, we’ve delved deeper to uncover some of the more intriguing and unexpected paths that former nurses have taken.
Noteworthy Careers of Former Nurses
Here are some of the most fascinating career transitions made by former nurses:
- Vice President
- Health Coach
- Phlebotomist
- Ship Worker
- Lactation Consultant
- Medical Technologist
- Attorney
- Patient Advocate
- Epic Consultant
- Infection Control Practitioner
While the appeal of these roles may vary, they certainly stand out as unique and engaging options for those transitioning from nursing.
Methodology for Identifying Career Transitions
To ascertain the most common new roles taken by former nurses, we analyzed resume data from over 7 million profiles that indicated nursing experience. We focused on jobs listed after their nursing roles and ranked them based on frequency of occurrence.
This process led us to identify the most common and intriguing jobs, detailed below.
1. Vice President
Percentage of Former Nurses: 2.24%
Many former nurses have found themselves stepping into leadership roles as Vice Presidents in various organizations, showcasing their diverse skill sets.
2. Health Coach
Percentage of Former Nurses: 1.99%
Health coaching allows former nurses to engage closely with patients, focusing on prevention and wellness strategies.
3. Phlebotomist
Percentage of Former Nurses: 1.70%
Phlebotomists play a critical role in healthcare, specializing in blood collection and patient care.
4. Ship Worker
Percentage of Former Nurses: 1.21%
Some former nurses are drawn to adventurous careers on the high seas, embracing a life of exploration.
5. Lactation Consultant
Percentage of Former Nurses: 0.68%
Lactation consultants support new mothers in their breastfeeding journey, addressing challenges and promoting healthy practices.
6. Medical Technologist
Percentage of Former Nurses: 0.63%
Medical technologists analyze patient samples, contributing essential insights to the healthcare team.
7. Attorney
Percentage of Former Nurses: 0.44%
Some former nurses pivot to law, where their healthcare background enhances their legal practice.
8. Patient Advocate
Percentage of Former Nurses: 0.41%
Patient advocates work tirelessly to ensure that patients receive fair treatment within the healthcare system.
9. Epic Consultant
Percentage of Former Nurses: 0.32%
Epic consultants help healthcare organizations implement and optimize electronic health record systems.
10. Infection Control Practitioner
Percentage of Former Nurses: 0.31%
Infection control practitioners play a vital role in preventing disease outbreaks in healthcare settings.
Conclusion
In summary, the career landscape for former nurses is diverse and dynamic, reflecting the evolution of the healthcare industry and individual aspirations. Below, you will find the complete ranked list of the most common job transitions for former nurses.
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For more insights and articles, explore the best states for nursing careers.
Detailed Ranking of the Most Common Jobs of Former Nurses
Author
Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University.
