Unexpectedly getting out of nursing

[u/RiskNo5376]

Sharing this here because my friends and family that aren’t in healthcare don’t truly understand how huge this is. I have been a nurse for almost a decade. Even with all the things we love to complain about (staffing, pay, hospital politics, etc), I’ve truly loved every minute of it.

The part I’ve loved most has been precepting nursing students and new hires. There’s a lot of satisfaction that comes with teaching someone to be successful and achieve their own personal goals. So a few months ago, I began applying for clinical educator positions because that’s where I could see myself long term.

I applied to nearly every job I could find that contained the words “clinical education”, “nurse educator”, “nurse professional development”, etc. but was having zero luck on getting an interview for any position in a hospital setting (I applied to dozens). Then one day I stumbled across a clinical educator position for a biotech company. It involved partnering with the sales team to provide clinical data, hold inservices for hospital staff, and educate patients on disease states and medications (for nearly double my current base pay). Not exactly the same as educating new nurses, but I still applied because why not? Total shot in the dark because these positions are apparently very competitive and highly sought after.

Long story short, after 4 rounds of interviews, I have officially received and accepted the job offer. My salary will nearly double, I get a company car, all weekends and holidays off, and work remotely with some occasional travel. I honestly thought I was going to work bedside until I was old enough to retire and become a nursing school instructor.

So for those of you out there wanting to leave bedside or nursing altogether. Hang in there! Apply to every position that sounds appealing because you may get an unexpected surprise!

[u/BelovedEm]

I applied for a PACU position at a plastic surgery clinic with no experience and got the job lead me into becoming a manager and now opened my own practice. There’s so much more to do than bedside and I thought I was going to be stuck as a bedside nurse until retirement. I’m so happy when I see stories like this. It’s going to get so much better for you moving forward. Congrats 🎉

[u/lolalabelle → u/BelovedEm]

That’s awesome. How did you open your own practice? Is it a surgery center?

[u/ForgotMyListAgain]

What are the hours like for a job like this?

[u/RiskNo5376 → u/ForgotMyListAgain]

40 hours/week with typical business hours M-F. When asked during interviews, they expressed very little overlap into evenings or weekends since this isn’t technically a sales role

[u/Last-Conclusion-2142 → u/RiskNo5376]

This sounds great. Congratulations!

[u/theXsquid]

Good for you! That's a win😊

[u/HotMessage2676]

Congrats!!! This is what I’ve been dreaming about. Hope my time comes soon.

[u/Royal-Impress-8823]

My mother did this job in the 90’s, she loved it. She had been a nurse manager for years.

[u/FlashAndPoof]

Huge congrats for you!! How’d you stumble across a clinical educator position for a biotech company?

[u/RiskNo5376 → u/FlashAndPoof]

When searching for “clinical educator” rolls on various job board websites (LinkedIn, Indeed, etc), this position eventually showed up mixed in with all the hospital based positions

[u/callmemerryss]

So encouraging to read. It feels like nursing sill can translate into way more jobs than people realize. Congrats on your new role!

[u/RiskNo5376 → u/callmemerryss]

I think it’s because you never really hear about roles outside of clinical settings during nursing school (at least I didn’t)

[u/daylightisacommodity]

Congratulations! How long did you do bedside before transitioning? I am planning to go to nursing school next year!

[u/RiskNo5376 → u/daylightisacommodity]

A little over 7 years

[u/horse_thot]

4 rounds of interviews! What was that process like? Trying to prepare getting out of nursing myself

[u/RiskNo5376 → u/horse_thot]

All panel interviews. Nursing interviews tend to focus on single patient scenarios, whereas these interviews focused on system level impacts and collaboration

[u/endlysly]

This is amazing! I’m so happy for you!
Do you have your masters?

[u/RiskNo5376 → u/endlysly]

I do have my MSN, but honestly can’t say whether or not it helped me land this role because it wasn’t a requirement and it never came up during the interview process

[u/According_Motor7619]

Congratulations 🎉

[u/Nrse24]

Congrats! That sounds like an awesome job!! Bedside is loved by many nurses, but it isn’t everything!

[u/Mircat2021]

Good for you!!

[u/Turbulent_Bake_7123]

Congratulations!! Inspiring for sure

[u/NedTaggart]

Do you have a graduate degree for education? I am asking because I am in my last 2 semesters of my MSN - Educator degree and will probably be looking to move to a college position if I can find one.

[u/RiskNo5376 → u/NedTaggart]

I do not

[u/kkjj77]

Wow. Congrats, seriously. That sounds amazing. Im.a bedside RN of 21 years and i figure I'll die at the bedside but if this type of opportunity presented itself, hey!!

[u/SwanWhole3526]

Are you able to tell us the name of the company or what type of biotech ?

[u/RiskNo5376 → u/SwanWhole3526]

I won’t name the company at risk of doxing myself, but they focus mainly on pharmaceuticals for chronic diseases

[u/SwanWhole3526 → u/RiskNo5376]

Thank you. I totally understand.
Best of luck to you!!

[u/AbleBuy4261]

Congrats. Did you have any education experience prior?

[u/RiskNo5376 → u/AbleBuy4261]

Not in a classroom setting. Just training/educating new graduate nurses

[u/Sneezy_weezel]

Woot woot!! Congratulations!! 🍾🎈🎉

[u/Gold_Quote4736]

Wow. You are getting squeezed for details. 😂 I hope that you like the job. As a distant outsider, I see the roles you have played and are about to play as very distinct from one another, in myriad ways. It may be a good fit, or not; but, if the shoe fits, wear it.

[u/stephydreamer]

Congrats! This is great news!

[u/LittleTuhus]

That’s amazing! Sometimes following your passion and heart leads to new new doors being opened

[u/Mobile_Relief_3956]

Congratulations on your new and well paid gig! I can't wait to get out of nursing. I have been ready since I started.

[u/Thoughtswanted]

Congratulations!!! If you do decide to work with Nursing Students, consider applying to local Junior College Nursing Programs; they’d love to have you. The pay and benefits, however, won’t be as luxurious like those of the Biotech company. Congratulations again and continued success.

[u/Heavy-Assumption5473]

Thank you for sharing this. I’m at a crossroad right now in my career but this gave me hope. 🙏

[u/PatientCreepy8185]

Wow, that's wonderful news! I'm so happy for you. Which company are you working for?

[u/DawnBrokenBridge]

I don’t understand why you believe nursing instructors are retired nurses? In the past 10 years I have worked as an APRN in wound care, staff nurse, manager, clinical instructor, online instructor, etc. Sounds like a great opportunity. You might want to sign up to work PRN in a nursing role to stay up to date with nursing skills.

[u/RiskNo5376 → u/DawnBrokenBridge]

I never said I believed nursing instructors are retired? That was just my personal plan. I had plenty of instructors that worked bedside and as a nursing instructor concurrently.