10 Common Career Changes for Nurses

Whether you are motivated by burnout, curiosity, or ambition, you may be considering a career change from nursing. While the exact number of nurses who have recently changed careers isn’t currently known, a significant percentage plan to leave their current position or change careers, according to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Study.

Some alternative careers to nursing require specialized education, training, or licensure. Learn about the top 10 most common career changes for nurses and nurse practitioners (NPs) from 2021-2023, according to the American Community Survey.

The nursing profession equips you with a unique blend of problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking skills, all qualities that make you valuable in various careers. You may have started at the bedside, but eventually you might look for a role that provides different challenges, work-life balance, or opportunities. These career options highlight how adaptable and in-demand your skills truly are.

The most common career change for nurses is to become therapists. Therapists are licensed mental health professionals who support individuals, couples, and families in managing mental health conditions. Using evidence-based therapeutic techniques, they help clients understand thoughts, regulate emotions, and build healthier coping skills.

Therapists work in various settings, including private practices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and community health organizations. This career path offers a meaningful way to make a difference and flexibility in your schedule. Challenges include potential burnout and navigating complex client needs.

For nurses, this career can feel like a natural extension of their previous role, as they focus not only on physical well-being but on psychological and emotional health. Nurses who are drawn to holistic care and enjoy building deep, supportive relationships may find therapy a rewarding second career.

A physical therapist is a licensed healthcare professional who helps patients recover movement, improve mobility, and manage pain from injury or illness. Physical therapists design individualized treatment plans that may include therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and education on preventing future injuries.

Their work emphasizes restoring independence and enhancing quality of life. Physical therapists practice in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, nursing facilities, and even home health settings. While the role is physically active and sometimes demanding, it offers meaningful, hands-on interaction and visible progress in patients’ recovery.

For nurses transitioning careers, physical therapy provides a way to continue delivering compassionate, results-driven care while focusing on functional health and rehabilitation.

An occupational therapist is a licensed professional who helps people regain independence and perform daily activities after injury, illness, or disability. They teach adaptive techniques, recommend supportive equipment, and guide patients in building skills needed for work and life. The focus is on helping people participate fully and confidently in meaningful routines.

Occupational therapists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, mental health facilities, and community programs. The job can be highly rewarding, though it can be complex when addressing diverse physical, cognitive, and emotional needs. For nurses transitioning careers, occupational therapy offers a chance to combine clinical knowledge with a holistic, patient-centered approach.

A speech-language pathologist is a licensed clinician who evaluates, diagnoses, and treats communication and swallowing disorders. They work with children and adults who face challenges such as speech delays, language difficulties, stuttering, voice problems, or challenges related to brain injuries.

Treatment typically includes tailored exercises, language-building activities, and strategies to improve speech clarity. Speech-language pathologists are employed in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practices, and long-term care facilities. While the role requires patience and specialized training, it offers the unique reward of helping individuals regain or strengthen vital communication skills.

For nurses seeking a career shift, speech-language pathology provides a path to support patients’ independence and quality of life through improved communication.

A respiratory therapist is a specialized healthcare professional who treats patients with breathing difficulties and cardiopulmonary conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or respiratory infections. Responsibilities include performing diagnostic tests, managing ventilators, administering oxygen therapy, and teaching patients how to use inhalers or other equipment.

Respiratory therapists play a critical role in stabilizing patients in emergency settings and supporting long-term pulmonary health. Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, intensive care units, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. While the work can be fast-paced and physically demanding, it offers the reward of improving and saving lives.

Respiratory therapy provides a hands-on, patient-focused career that continues the commitment to critical, compassionate care that often first attracts nurses.

A clinical social worker helps individuals and families navigate personal, social, and financial challenges. Their responsibilities often include connecting clients to community resources, providing supportive counseling, advocating for patient rights, and supporting people through difficult life transitions such as illness, trauma, or loss.

Social workers play a vital role in addressing emotional and practical needs, ensuring clients receive comprehensive care. They are employed in hospitals, schools, mental health facilities, child welfare agencies, and community organizations. The role can be emotionally demanding, but it can be deeply rewarding when you are driven to make a positive impact.

Social work offers nurses considering a career change the opportunity to expand their caregiving skills into advocacy, counseling, and social support.

A medical and health services manager oversees the operations of healthcare facilities, departments, or practices. Their responsibilities include managing staff, developing budgets, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations, and implementing policies that improve efficiency and patient care.

These professionals act as the bridge between clinical staff and administrative leadership, keeping organizations running smoothly. Medical and health services managers work in hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient centers, and group medical practices. While the role can involve high levels of responsibility and decision-making pressure, it offers the chance to influence healthcare on a broader scale.

Nurses find this path allows them to apply their clinical insight in leadership and administration, shaping the delivery of care for entire patient populations.

A radiation therapist is a licensed healthcare professional who administers targeted radiation treatments to people with cancer and other conditions. They work closely with oncologists, radiologists, and others to deliver precise doses of radiation, operate specialized equipment, and monitor patients throughout the treatment process.

The role includes explaining procedures, ensuring patient comfort, and tracking responses to therapy. Radiation therapists are employed in hospitals, cancer treatment centers, and outpatient clinics. While the position requires technical skill and careful attention to safety, it is highly rewarding to support patients through life-saving care.

Radiation therapy offers an opportunity to combine compassionate patient interaction commonly used in nursing with advanced technology in the fight against cancer.

A postsecondary teacher or professor is an educator who instructs students at colleges, universities, or professional schools. Their duties include preparing and delivering lectures, developing curricula, conducting research, advising students, and contributing to academic scholarship.

In healthcare-related fields, professors also mentor the next generation of nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals. Professors work in universities, community colleges, and specialized training programs. While the path requires advanced degrees and a commitment to ongoing research or publication, it offers intellectual challenge, academic freedom, and the chance to shape future professionals.

Nurses find teaching provides a meaningful way to share clinical expertise, inspire learners, and influence healthcare education on a broader scale.

Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist to prepare and dispense medications, manage inventory, and assist patients with prescription information. Their responsibilities include measuring and packaging medications, processing insurance claims, maintaining records, and ensuring prescription accuracy. Attention to detail and strong communication skills are essential.

Pharmacy technicians are employed in hospitals, retail pharmacies, long-term care facilities, and mail-order pharmacies. While the job can be fast-paced and requires precision, it offers stability and opportunities for growth within the pharmaceutical field. Nurses who choose to become pharmacy technicians can apply medical knowledge in medication management and continue supporting patient health in a new capacity.