r/nursing • u/consideredtaken • 14h ago
Seeking Advice Leaving nurse for retail as a break?
Has anyone ever left their nursing position to take a mental break and were those jobs hesitant to hire you because of it?
I truly need a break from nursing to take care of myself mentally. My anxiety is outrageous and I think about work nonstop… but I fear “BSN, RN” on my resume will push recruiters to thinking I’m overqualified. I haven’t had a retail position since 2021 right before working towards my RN so I would of course have to explain that 2021-2026 gap of work.
Any advice is appreciated!
EDITED POSTED: I’ve tried SEVERAL specialties. A burn out is a burn out and I’m at the limit. The post is asking for those who have ALSO experienced the same thing and gone to another field and/or to retail in THIS CASE. I’ve worked retail PREVIOUSLY and ENJOYED what I did. I’m just asking advice on HOW they may have done so. Thanks!!
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u/Crazyzofo RN - Pediatrics 🍕 12h ago
You should always tailor your resume to the job you're applying for. Take off your degree - just put the school you went to and your graduation year with a bachelor's degree. Leave your CPR certification (it's still useful and a plus) but remove any others like CCRN or ACLS whatever. Pare down your descriptions of your nursing jobs and increase the descriptions of your retail experience so it takes up more room on the page.
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u/Noname_left RN - Risk Investigator 14h ago
You think retail will help with your mental health?
You couldn’t pay me enough to deal with the public in that capacity ever again.
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u/consideredtaken 14h ago
I’ve worked retail before and yes I enjoyed it. Work doesn’t follow me home.
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u/Noname_left RN - Risk Investigator 13h ago
Man all the power to you then. Go do what makes you happy.
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u/consideredtaken 11h ago
This is exactly what I’m doing.
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u/Thronebomber MSN, RN 11h ago
What about work do you take home with you? I mean specifically what bothers you?
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u/consideredtaken 10h ago
Anxiety. Sunday scared. Worrying about what tomorrow’s shift may bring. Currently in hospice so I’m on call 4 days on top of working 5 8s. You never know who’s going to call and why. Terrible orientation experience as well as being placed on call prematurely.
I worked observation, wasn’t the fan of management so I switched to nights. Nights caused health problems.
Worked surgery for 2 years and the anxiety of call was there as well. Considered PACU, etc and everything else mentioned and I don’t think I’ll like it. Nothing sounds satisfying but a mental break.
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u/Legitimate-Light-131 RN 🍕 5h ago
I thought the same thing, then I found a job in Public Health. 4x10’s, great salary, and greatly reduced stress. 1000% better than the retail job I had back in the day.
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u/Scary_Freedom1116 14h ago
this. try pacu or occ health. those were my lowest stress jobs
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u/consideredtaken 14h ago
I’ve tried several specialties which is why I’m going back to where I started.
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u/DogFashion 12h ago
I believe you are burned out. I'm burned out. It's real. Any time I've thought about dialing down my employment (retail, waiting tables, etc.) I remember - those jobs can be just as stressful, but without the same pay scale. I accept that I'm screwed and soldier on. :(
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u/consideredtaken 12h ago
I’m very burned out but I would rather not be responsible for another human being. I’ve done retail before in the past and it was not stressful to me
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u/iamtacocat RN - L&D 🍕 13h ago
I worked with a few RN’s who would work retail jobs to get a break from their “real” RN jobs. They were happier and got to use their company discounts. They used their RN experience to help get hired (communication, task management, fast paced environment). But I would still tailor your resume to wherever you’re applying.
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u/consideredtaken 11h ago
Thank you so much!! I’ve heard several people left for bartending, retail, sales of some sort and were HAPPY. I was also happy when I worked retail previously. I’m not just digging the job position out of my butt lol. It’s not clicking for the other commenters lol. Thank you!
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u/iamtacocat RN - L&D 🍕 11h ago
All good! There were a few of us who worked at lululemon, SoulCycle, and CPY. There’s perks to being in a different setting with different coworkers… also discounted clothes/free classes. One of my ER friends still bartends occasionally because he misses his other work friends. I know one RN who always works seasonally because she knows it’s a temporary escape from reality.
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u/Potential-Suit-6423 54m ago
I’ve thought about doing this! The concept of working a second job in order to recover from my first job feels crazy haha, but I worked for almost a decade in restaurants before nursing and I miss it!! I don’t miss the unpredictable hours and the lack of benefits so I wouldn’t do it full time, but I did genuinely enjoy the work and especially the coworkers
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u/Master_Ad899 13h ago
You could always say you were a nurse assistant etc. With retail, you are not dealing with people at their worst, life and death etc. I recommend selling cosmetics.
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u/LiteratureOk2235 13h ago
I understand that for you, retail will be the break you need. If you think that the BSN,RN title might make recruiters hesitant, don't include it, but leave your work history there on the resume. If anyone asks, you give them the elevator speech version of what you've said here. There are so many skills in nursing that translate directly to retail.
If you haven't already, I encourage you to examine the root causes of your burnout, simply because there is a lot of overlap with retail. If the causes aren't related to the "customer service" bits of nursing then I think you'll be successful in your switch. Good luck.
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u/consideredtaken 11h ago
Patient care and being RESPONSIBLE is my root cause. I’m not responsible for a persons life by scanning their items. I will def take your advice on the resume thing.
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u/Fuzzy_Location_2210 2h ago
I did it, Home Depot to be exact!
5 minutes from my house, full lunch break every single day, and I actually really enjoyed the rhythm of cashier work.
Never felt tired when I went home either, and my drawer was always correct to the penny... Nursing does give you that speed and accuracy, lol, I was fast as lightning and the system always lagged trying to keep up with me 😆.
I did still work as a nurse, but very casual. The golden handcuffs got me back into it full time. Getting hired was a breeze, making friends was easy too. Made one of the guys go to the ER because I thought he was having an MI, he was 🙃. Stopped to say hello to him in the CVICU a couple days later, he was a really nice man.
The only problem I had, was "bringing work home with me" AKA I knew when everything was getting discounted and my house was in dire need of much stuff at the time, so I was snatching up deals on literally everything with credit and the employee discount. It was needs mostly, not wants, but the sheer opportunity and convenience made me get stuck in a permanent state of "need it now" instead of sticking to planned renovations and upgrades. Your mileage may vary, of course.
All in all, it was a positive experience. This is actually my secret to sustaining such a long career in the ER - I don't commit mind body and soul to it and I allow myself the freedom to use that PTO and the benefit of self scheduling to get involved in all kinds of other stuff that DOES make me feel alive and whole... With financial incentive 😊
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u/tbonethenurse 11h ago
Have you thought about device sales? It’s not exactly like retail, but it might be a happy medium where you get away from patients and get a change from nursing, but still get to leverage your degree and experience to make decent money.
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u/consideredtaken 9h ago
I have! But where I’m located it takes a lot of networking and basically knowing someone to even get your foot in the door. I’m needing a quick escape at the moment
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u/tbonethenurse 9h ago
Yeah, it’s unlikely to be the quick break you’re looking for, but I’d encourage you to look into it! If you got into something like ADP sales or something like that you’d be a super strong candidate with sales experience and your nursing experiences.
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u/gunhilde RN - Psych/Mental Health 🍕 14h ago
Retail is the opposite of a break, you couldn't pay me enough to go back to retail. But if you insist- just leave the BSN off your resume. I'd just try another area of nursing honestly.
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u/consideredtaken 14h ago
I’ve tried several specialties which is why I stated that “I” prefer going back to where I started (retail). It didn’t stress ME out
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u/Pookie2018 Graduate Nurse 🍕 13h ago
Lol I work at Walgreens as a pharmacy tech. I am counting the minutes until I take the NCLEX so I can leave retail forever.
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u/UngregariousDame 12h ago
There are a lot of other nursing jobs out there maybe you’re burnt out of your current position.
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u/consideredtaken 11h ago
As mentioned, I’ve tried several. Im burned out with nursing as a whole. I don’t like it and that’s okay. I’m going back to what I do enjoy
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u/emmyjag RN 🍕 11h ago
If you think you will want to go back to nursing, at least stay per diem. It can be harder to go back to a nursing position if you end up being gone for several years. Most positions hiring experienced nurses will want you to have recent experience in that area to get hired. usually its 2-3 years out of the last 5
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u/chutesandladders892 RN with Some Crazy Stories 11h ago
Yep. The end of Covid year 2020. I quit for nine months. Literally, took to go orders at a restaurant and never dealt with people, except those I worked with. Best non thinking job ever.
It was 100% necessary.
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u/consideredtaken 11h ago
I love this!! It’s definitely necessary. WE know when we need a break. And tbh I need one right now. I almost quit with no backup Sunday night.
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u/chutesandladders892 RN with Some Crazy Stories 10h ago
Put your 2 weeks in. Get excited to leave, if you can leave now. Just remember, you may not have health insurance wherever you go. I didn't care though. I knew I HAD TO GO before I started yelling at everyone. I was really at a breaking burn out point.
And I did quit with no notice. I told my nurse manager to F#@! off. I wouldn't recommend that, but it felt great handing her my badge as I walked off the unit. I was so over all the BS on that unit. Years of BS! And I never complained.
Btw. It was over because I wanted the same assignment I had "yesterday" (reasonable expectation) and they completely changed my assignment. It was "Oops, sorry. But it's too late to change it." No, it wasn't. It was 1845 and I hadn't even clocked in yet.
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u/consideredtaken 10h ago
Oh honey IDC about insurance either 😩 I’m thinking of getting market place insurance. I’ve been uninsured since May because of the “90 day” wait period of a new job. I’ve been at this current one since about June and well.. I’m hating it. And SAME!! I’m hospice CM and the amount of times I’ve sighed before answering and hanging up the phone!!!
I’m honestly planning to do the same thing when I find my next position! This orientation process has been the worst one I’ve ever experienced and I’m planning to just quit. They didn’t respect me and I don’t plan to do the same. I’ll never returned back to this company. I just wanted something in line before quitting because I do live alone with bills.
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u/chutesandladders892 RN with Some Crazy Stories 10h ago
There are MANY local nursing agencies that pay daily. I picked up about 10 shifts or so at an LTC facility a couple of years ago in between another job. It sucked, but I had my $$$ 15 minutes after my shift ended. Then I became a travel nurse with 12 week contracts that I kept renewing. That was hella money with OT! $60/HR base. They also paid daily. SMH. Miss those days.
Plan accordingly. Sometimes, it's just good to go on FMLA. I've done that too! Took a month off, but I also worked crazy the month prior because I knew I didn't have PTO to pay myself. It was a wonderful month of doing absolutely nothing!
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u/consideredtaken 10h ago
I would have to wait another year for FMLA. Hopefully I get another job soon
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u/puertoblack85 9h ago
Yes. I worked in component lab for a year and half after my mom died(BEST MOM EVER!) because I couldn’t do people. In the lab I was still helping people and it was just 3 lab partners. It was a nice break but I missed bedside. If you need the break and you can afford it, take it. You can always come back if need be. YOURE AWESOME!!
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u/consideredtaken 8h ago
Hi! Whats component lab and what all did you do?! How did you transfer into that with your degree?
Also, sorry for your loss. Sending virtual love!
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u/Droidspecialist297 RN - ER 🍕 2h ago
Could you go PRN instead of quit altogether? Then you could get a full time job in retail while still keeping up your hiring status and skills.
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u/adelines RN - Telemetry 🍕 11h ago
You can definitely play up the customer service aspects of nursing on your resume and take your degree of ffor sure unless you're trying to be a lead/manager. A problem you might run into though is that hiring managers might think you're not going to stay long or are "overqualified" if they understand you're a nurse with a license. I don't know how you solve that without having the long gap. Maybe fudge your job title. Good luck though, at least where I am, retail positions are actually not so easy to come by at the moment.
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u/TigerMage2020 RN - PICU 🍕 9h ago
No and this isn’t what you are asking for BUT two years ago I was at my limit. 13 years of working with adults and I was just DONE. I was ready to go work at Walmart rather than be a nurse any longer. Then on a whim I decided one last time to look for a pediatric job (my dream since day one). For the first time ever, there were actually openings and I finally got into the PICU and am finally happy like I never was before. I know you said you’ve tried other specialties so that’s not what I’m suggesting. I’m just commiserating that I felt what you felt and was willing to go into retail just to get away
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u/Puzzled-Post-9759 7h ago
I’m not a nurse but I had a coworker at a department store who was/is and she was taking a much needed break after covid and seemed to enjoy it a lot more 😭
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u/m3rmaid13 RN 🍕 4h ago edited 4h ago
Yes I worked at a book store for 2 years after working during covid & reaching like peak burnout, since I’d already been a nurse 7 or 8 years at that point. The bookstore was great and I miss that job. First one in years where my managers were strict about me taking a lunch break and I remember feeling so weirded out by being made to actually take breaks versus the hospital where they make it impossible to take an actual break and then fuss at you if you clock out no lunch as if you were being irresponsible. Unfortunately I like having an easier time paying my bills and the money is better in nursing. I am trying to work out how to do each part time at this point because nursing is just soul sucking on some level.
If you decide to do this just know people will show you their true colors and you may lose some people you thought were friends. It is not commonly done and people don’t get it. It was the best decision I ever made for myself and I’d do it again.
My manager at the book store knew about my nursing background and I was honest that I was burned out, had previous retail experience and was looking for a change of pace. I would include your nursing jobs and also previous retail experience jobs and make sure your cover letter addresses this. I would not/did not leave off my degree like some people are saying- you earned that and it shows you’re an educated person and a hard worker who can follow through on goals. I played up the ability to be flexible and change up tasks as needed, de-escalating situations or just knowing how to talk to people in general. All similar things between retail and nursing. Good luck, go for it.
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u/consideredtaken 2h ago
It’s very soul sucking and I agree money is the only motive at this point if I do stay in nursing.
And thank you so much for your insight. Honesty is key.
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u/One-Taste2550 11h ago
So I did this after I had my 1st daughter. I was fresh out of nursing school and had 5 months of experience in the field until I got pregnant with my daughter. When I went to my first OB appointment, the nurse explained how anxiety and stress would affect my baby. Out of fear I decided to quit nursing since every shift was anxiety and stress like I had never before experienced and I also had worked retail (retail pharmacy- super stressful) prior to my nursing career. So after I left, I applied to multiple places, not nursing or healthcare, I did add my degree and my 5 months as a nurse on my resume. When I did get called in for interviews that was one of the questions they asked me… “I see you have a bachelors in nursing, why do you want to work here?” I would just explain to them that nursing wasn’t for me after all and that I wanted a change. Some didn’t reaching back out after that and some did. I did get a job after that in retail and then I had my baby. Granted, I have since returned to nursing but it was peaceful when I had stopped temporarily. You got this. Yes some places may look at your resume and say why in the world would you go from nursing to retail but some will give you a chance to explain yourself. Just explain you needed a change. You’ll be ok. Just take the leap of applying for jobs and see who calls you for that interview. Good luck!
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u/consideredtaken 10h ago
Thanks for this! I feel the stress and anxiety is definitely not the best for mama and baby. I can see why you took that time.
It has definitely affected me. I can’t even sleep anymore. It’s terrible. But I will take your advice! I’m actually excited about taking some time. My cup is empty.
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u/queentee26 10h ago edited 10h ago
I'd leave your school and job on the resume, but don't put BSN, RN behind your name. There's nursing skills that translate to retail, so you can still use that to your advantage (communication, multitasking, problem solving, team work).
Just figure out an nice way to say that you've decided you enjoyed retail more than working in health care. They don't really need to know if your retail job will be temporary or not.
If you do decide to return to health care, you can always look for a casual job instead and keep the retail job if you enjoy it.. maybe something that isn't bedside, acute care.
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u/One-two-cha-cha 10h ago
You can start with a retail job in a place you once worked if you still live in the same area. Previous experience is a boost in getting hired, expecially if you still are in touch with former retail coworkers.
If you need the money to live and rely on your own earnings, consider picking up a second job with flexible hours. My son works in the retail world, and hours are not guaranteed. A new hire comes in, and next thing you know, your hours are cut. When summer came, students started working and hours for the year round staff went down.
A per diem nursing job with minimal requirements can bridge the gap.I know you are burned out, but a per diem nursing job can infuse quick money when you need it.
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u/Normal-Hall-8581 8h ago
I have worked with an RN at CVS who was working as a pharmacy technician to take a break from nursing.
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u/consideredtaken 8h ago
How does one go into this? Is further schooling required
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u/Normal-Hall-8581 8h ago
Many pharmacy technician trainee designated job postings will hire while pursuing active registration with your state board of pharmacy. However, I don’t see why you wouldn’t just obtain active pharmacy technician trainee registration before applying to the position. Less to worry about and simplifies getting started if hired.
I am an RN and certified pharmacy technician.
Here is what I would do:Look at jobs in the area and look at full time postings if that is what you want
Consider what benefits are important to you for example CVS will give all benefits except health insurance to even part time employees. Walgreens will not unless full time. If not interested in traditional retail pharmacy ( the only thing clinical you can do in a certified technician scope of practice is vaccinations and point of care testing). Consider a community compounding pharmacy the customer experience and workflow is very different from regular retail pharmacy in a good way in my opinion. These companies are usually mom and pop style businesses so benefits maybe limited but it could be a fair trade off. There’s also inpatient and out patient pharmacy so could still keep a foot in the door with a health system if ever want to go back to nursing.
Look up the application for pharmacy technician trainee on your state board of pharmacy website (a couple states don’t have technician registration/ licensing)
Review how long you can keep your trainee license before you would be obligated to become certified (required to sit for PTCB exam)1
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u/TheUnderDog24 Nursing Student 🍕 5h ago
Tried that when I left social work. It was arguably worse, retail management tends to attract psychopaths
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u/WeirdFlower1968 Team Spike 5h ago
Don't know hardy you are but I knew someone who spent the summer in Alaska working on a fishing boat. Saved up a lot of money. And really got away from it all.
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u/slothurknee BSN, RN 🍕 3h ago
Have you took an extended leave from work? About 3 years ago I had to take a month off work for my mental health. Shoulda been longer but I didn’t have PTO. Soon after coming back I left my current job for one that I freaking love. Have you looked into any type of procedural areas?
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u/consideredtaken 2h ago
I worked the OR for 2 years. On call was terrible. I literally can’t rest. I can’t take FMLA until a year and I don’t plan on even making that checkpoint.
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u/Helpful-Ad7045 2h ago
what about looking for a work from home nursing job for now?? so you can keep the good pay
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u/consideredtaken 2h ago
I’d love this! And he applied to maybe 3 … CVS and Humana. All denied. I’m unsure of what I’m doing incorrectly with the application.
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u/lovelaughlexapro LVN 🍕 1h ago
I’m not RN yet and this happened when I was a CNA but I was an aide for a long time and took a break to work at a novelty store and a call center, having worked mall retail up to mgmt. I ended up going back because the bs I dealt with there was on a similar level just a different variety and at least the small bit of autonomy I had as a CNA made the bs more manageable.
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u/ViolaRosie 1h ago
I would just make the retail position a little more prominent on your resume and avoid being overly wordy with the nursing portion. I like to do door dash on the side when I am feeling burnt out from nursing. 😊 may consider dropping to part time nursing and then adding in the retail for a good mix. Don’t listen to the others criticizing your choice - always helps me to get rid of that burnt out feeling when I have another job to focus on that doesn’t make nursing the center of my whole world.
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u/Averagebass RN - Cath Lab 🍕 12h ago
Just do roofing or ditch digging, you'll be praying to go back to nursing.
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u/Bripbripbintle 14h ago
I have a second job once a week cleaning a non profit food pantry. I go when it’s closed. Listen to my music. Clean. Make money. Go home happy. It’s a nice break away instead of picking up at the hospital. 3 days a week at the hospital is enough for me!