Do you ever get the feeling that you need to move on from nursing and then you get instantly overwhelmed and dismiss the idea because…well, how would you do that?
I’ve had those same feelings.
I’ve poured a lot of time and money into my nursing career. It is a respected profession. I love helping people so why wasn’t I happy?
Despite the reputable professional title of RN, I just wasn’t enjoying it anymore. My nursing job was becoming a chore. My nursing position in the healthcare system for me, was no longer sustainable.
I would fantasize about winning the lottery and tending my resignation. Or I would start looking for other opportunities, only to feel lukewarm about making a change.
It’s hard to leave the job security that nursing provides, I’m right there with you.
Here comes the BUT…
But if you want a different job or to feel excited about a new opportunity, you are going to have to take a risk.
Now let me be very clear. I want you to know that I am a registered chicken shit. If you look up chicken shit in the dictionary, you’re going to see a picture of me there.
I like structure and stability. I don’t like uncertainty. I don’t even like committing to a full glass of wine until I’ve had a taster first, because I want to be sure I’ve chosen correctly. That’s right no bad Rosé is going to pass these lips.
And that is exactly what has kept me inside my very nice – secure – boring – box.
Over my nursing career, I’ve watched my colleagues move on into dream jobs. They’ve gone on to writing for magazines, started flipping houses, or have gone back to school.
My mistake was that I thought, surely at some point I was going to be recognized for my reliability, cool headedness, and a consistent problem solver. I mean maybe a position as a cultural attaché to some sovereign foreign land? What is a cultural attaché anyway?
To some degree I was recognized but it definitely didn’t come with promotions or financial compensation.
It finally dawned on me that the only person who was going to give me the life I wanted was ME. I could continue to wait or I could finally do something about it.
When I decided to make a change, it was important for me to think it through. I had to tap into not necessarily what I wanted to do but how I wanted to FEEL in my new life. For me it was important that I be my own boss, have flexibility in my schedule and have a deeply positive impact on people in one on one relationships.
How do you want to feel in YOUR new life?
Take some time to reflect and write down what comes up.
- Do you want more time at home?
- How do you want to be of service?
- What does a day in your new life look like?
Think about it because one thing is for sure, in case you haven’t noticed, the world is a bit of a dumpster fire right now. And now more than ever it is important to come home to ourselves to live our authenticity in the way it feels right for us. It’s ok not to know completely, just take a step.
Leaving nursing or changing your role may create a lot of fear. Ask yourself “What is holding me back?” Because that will give you a starting point to work with.
For example, “I don’t have the money to invest in something new?” Then ask yourself, “Is that true?” What if you invested in smaller increments such as some classes rather than the whole degree or making a spread sheet on where your money is going and making a plan around reallocating funds.
Or “I don’t have any extra time to devote to working on a new gig” Really? I bet if you really wanted something you would find the extra time to make it work. Remember when you met that special someone? You found all kinds a time right!
The thing I notice is, that people tend to limit themselves right out of the gate, actually, before they even LEAVE the gate! You know the old saying in nursing when the charge nurse asks you if you want to keep the same patients or get a new set the next day? The evil you know is better than the evil you don’t know. True in nursing but not in life!
Explore the thing, whatever that is for you and listen to your gut.
Now is the time to discover other opportunities and seriously invest in yourself.
Become the CEO of your own life.
Acknowledge that the reason your feeling restless is because something greater is reaching out to you.
Coach Jackie’s pro tip for the week, stop waiting. Your life is marching on with or without you.
I hope this week’s podcast brought you some joy and some laughs.
Hang in there!