I’ve been in a career for 13 years that no longer “serves me”. What I mean by that is, my nursing career no longer brings me joy, it doesn’t light my soul on fire, and it is not what I am passionate about.
My nursing career was no longer serving me and I felt guilty about this. Then I realized there are different paths to take where I can still support others while making money.
In fact, there have been more days than not during my nursing career in which I have felt like I was in the wrong profession. When I was a labor and delivery nurse I loved working with new moms and babies. I loved lactation and helping new parents care for their newborn. However, the schedule, responsibility, and lack of resources for some of these families was stressful, and heartbreaking, and it had me looking for a new area of nursing to work in.
Selfie I sent to my husband because I was working my 9′-5 nursing job and I didn’t want to be
I then pivoted to a role in hospice.
I’ve been in this department for 8 years and as much as I am a strong advocate for hospice at the end of life, I burnt out from doing it “hands-on” day in and day out. As an educator in hospice, I have found a flexible, pretty “cushy” nursing job, but it isn’t what lights me up inside.
I have felt guilty for years–struggling with these feelings. I have felt like I don’t belong and like I am not as grateful as my coworkers to have a “good job”. It’s not like I hated my job or career. I’ve had some really good shifts and days too. I just knew there was more to life and that I wanted more, and was made for more, I just wasn’t sure what that was or what it meant, until now and I finally realized, that nursing is no longer serving me and that is okay.
I found myself burnt out from my jobs and life
I never even wanted to finish nursing school. I knew way back when that it wasn’t going to be my dream job. But I had lots of my close family and friends encouraging me to finish since I only had 1 semester of school to go before I graduated. I thought because my first baby was going to be a newborn when I returned back to school that I was getting “cold feet”.
But you see, those feelings never went away. I actually burnt out from my nursing job, photography business, and life, but I didn’t realize that is what was happening. So, it led to a huge mental health crisis that lasted months. I do not want this to happen to you.
I was taking on too much, trying to do all the things, so that I could feel fulfilled and happy, but I wasn’t
So, if you find yourself in the same place as me, I want you to know that there is a career, business, or a different job out there that you can do. That will bring you happiness, fulfillment, and joy, but you have to be willing to go after it.
I know you can find something that will fulfill you and that you can support yourself and your family. It might take time to transition from your current position, career, or job, but it is worth it.
I am feeling so fulfilled, happy, and purpose-driven by my coaching business. I hope to one day be able to do it full-time!
I want you to make sure you are in a good place financially to be able to pivot and change directions to what you want to do. Also, what you choose to do and want to do right now might end up not being the “thing” you want to do 5 years from now, or 10 years from now and that is okay too.
I have had a part-time photography business for 11 years and in the early years of operating this business, I wanted to transition from nursing to a full-time photographer. However, over the years my opinion and desires changed on this. I no longer want to be a full-time photographer. Again, I was riddled with guilt over this, because for a long time being a full-time photographer was what I wanted.
I had invested a ton of time, energy, and money into growing my business and now I am pulling back from it. Then I realized, my photography business served me and it served my clients for 11 years and that is something I can be proud of.
It is ok to pivot and change directions in life, at any time. You are never too old to pivot to your passions, HEY! I named my podcast this!
I do want you to make smart financial decisions while pivoting. I want you to have open and honest communication with yourself and your loved ones.
I’ve had to have many conversations with my husband about what I want, what my goals are, what I don’t want, and where I want to go. We don’t always agree on things, but we support one another, and we try to allow each other to do the things that bring them joy and happiness.
If I had it my way, I would quit my 9-5 nursing gig and do my coaching business full-time starting today. However, I don’t like taking risks, and my anxiety does better if I have a well-thought-out plan in place.
I don’t recommend quitting your day job today or tomorrow. I do recommend coming up with an exit strategy and I encourage you to take the steps needed to make sure you achieve this.
Don’t feel like a failure because you want “out” of your career. A higher being is pulling you and putting it on your heart and mind to do something different and you need to listen to that voice.
It too a huge mental health crisis, Covid-19, and me planting our crops one spring for me to realize it was my turn to FINALLY put my needs front and center
In my life and money coaching business, I empower, guide, and support women in transitioning from their “9-5”, while making smart money moves to create the life you want to live, not just live the one you are “supposed” to live.
Follow me on Instagram and Facebook, Jess Wayne Coaching, and message me if this is something you want help with. I would love to walk with you on this new journey and path.
