Jobs for Former Nurses (2026)
The closest match on transferable skills is Psychiatric Technician, paying a median of $45,130 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) with +20.0% projected employment change over 2024–2034. Below are 30 destinations ranked by how much of your existing skill set they reuse and how much hiring demand they carry.
Leaving a career you trained for is not a failure of nerve, and you are not starting from zero. The work already built clinical judgement under time pressure, explaining hard news to frightened people, coordinating care across teams, and documenting everything precisely. Those are O*NET-recorded skills that other occupations pay for. What follows is not encouragement; it is the data, including the destinations that pay less than you might expect.
- Destinations ranked
- 30
- Median pay
- $78,565
- Projected to grow
- 30 of 30
- Openings a year
- 847,600
By skill overlap and demand
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Combined, BLS EP
How this list was built
- Careers that build on registered nursing’s clinical judgement, patient communication and coordination skills, ranked by transferable-skill overlap and projected demand.
- Skill overlap is the cosine similarity between two O*NET transferable-skill vectors: things like social perceptiveness, coordination, instructing and complex problem solving. A high overlap means the day-to-day capabilities carry across; it does not mean an employer will hire you without a conversation about it.
- Demand is BLS projected growth and annual openings for the destination occupation. A good skill match into a shrinking occupation is not a good move, so both count.
- Licences and credentials are not modelled. Some destinations below need one, and each career page states the typical entry requirement.
The top 30 careers to move into
- 95% skill overlap
1. Psychiatric Technician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $45,130
- Growth
- +20.0%
- Openings/yr
- 15,900
- Education
- Certificate
Reuses 95% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 15,900 openings a year.
Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners.
Psychiatric Technician salary & outlook → - 94% skill overlap
2. Physical Therapist Assistant
Healthcare Support
- Median pay
- $68,380
- Growth
- +22.0%
- Openings/yr
- 19,800
- Education
- Associate's
Reuses 94% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 19,800 openings a year.
Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
- 95% skill overlap
3. Occupational Therapy Assistant
Healthcare Support
- Median pay
- $72,300
- Growth
- +19.2%
- Openings/yr
- 7,200
- Education
- Associate's
Reuses 95% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 7,200 openings a year.
Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
- 93% skill overlap
4. Nurse Practitioner
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $132,300
- Growth
- +40.1%
- Openings/yr
- 29,500
- Education
- Master's
Reuses 93% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 29,500 openings a year.
Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team.
Nurse Practitioner salary & outlook → - 96% skill overlap
5. Medical Assistant
Healthcare Support
- Median pay
- $45,690
- Growth
- +12.5%
- Openings/yr
- 112,300
- Education
- Certificate
Reuses 96% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 112,300 openings a year.
Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician.
Medical Assistant salary & outlook → - 90% skill overlap
6. Physician Assistant
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $135,880
- Growth
- +20.4%
- Openings/yr
- 12,000
- Education
- Master's
Reuses 90% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 12,000 openings a year.
Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician.
Physician Assistant salary & outlook → - 94% skill overlap
7. Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $100,330
- Growth
- +13.8%
- Openings/yr
- 10,200
- Education
- Master's
Reuses 94% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 10,200 openings a year.
Provide therapy to patients with visual impairments to improve their functioning in daily life activities.
Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapist salary & outlook → - 97% skill overlap
8. Nurse Midwife
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $134,040
- Growth
- +11.1%
- Openings/yr
- 500
- Education
- Master's
Reuses 97% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 500 openings a year.
Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
- 96% skill overlap
9. Athletic Trainer
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $62,520
- Growth
- +11.1%
- Openings/yr
- 2,400
- Education
- Master's
Reuses 96% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 2,400 openings a year.
Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
- 92% skill overlap
10. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor
Community and Social Service
- Median pay
- $60,320
- Growth
- +10.4%
- Openings/yr
- 104,400
- Education
- N/A
Reuses 92% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 104,400 openings a year.
Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
- 94% skill overlap
11. Community Health Worker
Community and Social Service
- Median pay
- $51,850
- Growth
- +11.3%
- Openings/yr
- 7,800
- Education
- High school
Reuses 94% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 7,800 openings a year.
Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
- 90% skill overlap
12. Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary
Educational Instruction and Library
- Median pay
- $80,250
- Growth
- +16.8%
- Openings/yr
- 8,600
- Education
- Doctorate
Reuses 90% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 8,600 openings a year.
Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
- 94% skill overlap
13. Physical Therapist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $102,760
- Growth
- +10.9%
- Openings/yr
- 13,200
- Education
- Doctorate
Reuses 94% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 13,200 openings a year.
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
Physical Therapist salary & outlook → - 90% skill overlap
14. Massage Therapist
Healthcare Support
- Median pay
- $58,450
- Growth
- +15.4%
- Openings/yr
- 24,700
- Education
- Certificate
Reuses 90% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 24,700 openings a year.
Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
- 90% skill overlap
15. Speech-Language Pathologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $97,870
- Growth
- +15.0%
- Openings/yr
- 13,300
- Education
- Master's
Reuses 90% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 13,300 openings a year.
Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders.
Speech-Language Pathologist salary & outlook → - 91% skill overlap
16. Occupational Therapist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $100,330
- Growth
- +13.8%
- Openings/yr
- 10,200
- Education
- Master's
Reuses 91% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 10,200 openings a year.
Assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays.
Occupational Therapist salary & outlook → - 95% skill overlap
17. Pharmacy Technician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $45,750
- Growth
- +6.4%
- Openings/yr
- 49,000
- Education
- High school
Reuses 95% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 49,000 openings a year.
Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist.
Pharmacy Technician salary & outlook → - 94% skill overlap
18. Social and Human Service Assistant
Community and Social Service
- Median pay
- $45,930
- Growth
- +6.4%
- Openings/yr
- 50,600
- Education
- High school
Reuses 94% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 50,600 openings a year.
Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families.
Social and Human Service Assistant salary & outlook → - 95% skill overlap
19. Skincare Specialist
Personal Care and Service
- Median pay
- $45,330
- Growth
- +6.7%
- Openings/yr
- 14,500
- Education
- Certificate
Reuses 95% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 14,500 openings a year.
Provide skincare treatments to face and body to enhance an individual's appearance.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
- 92% skill overlap
20. Forensic Science Technician
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $72,060
- Growth
- +12.8%
- Openings/yr
- 2,900
- Education
- Bachelor's
Reuses 92% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 2,900 openings a year.
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
- 94% skill overlap
21. Nursing Assistant
Healthcare Support
- Median pay
- $42,260
- Growth
- +2.3%
- Openings/yr
- 204,100
- Education
- Certificate
Reuses 94% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 204,100 openings a year.
Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff.
Nursing Assistant salary & outlook → - 94% skill overlap
22. Chiropractor
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $79,200
- Growth
- +9.5%
- Openings/yr
- 2,800
- Education
- Doctorate
Reuses 94% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 2,800 openings a year.
Assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
- 84% skill overlap
23. Business Intelligence Analyst
Computer and Mathematical
- Median pay
- $120,230
- Growth
- +33.5%
- Openings/yr
- 23,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Reuses 84% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 23,400 openings a year.
Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports.
Business Intelligence Analyst salary & outlook → - 96% skill overlap
24. Coroner
Business and Financial Operations
- Median pay
- $80,730
- Growth
- +3.0%
- Openings/yr
- 33,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
Reuses 96% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 33,300 openings a year.
Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibi…
Coroner salary & outlook → - 91% skill overlap
25. Music Therapist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $77,930
- Growth
- +11.5%
- Openings/yr
- 4,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Reuses 91% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 4,100 openings a year.
Plan, organize, direct, or assess clinical and evidenced-based music therapy interventions to positively influence individuals' physical, psychological, cognitive, or behavioral status.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
- 96% skill overlap
26. Custom and Border Protection Officer
Protective Service
- Median pay
- $76,210
- Growth
- +3.1%
- Openings/yr
- 53,700
- Education
- High school
Reuses 96% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 53,700 openings a year.
Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.
Custom and Border Protection Officer salary & outlook → - 90% skill overlap
27. Respiratory Therapist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $82,280
- Growth
- +12.1%
- Openings/yr
- 8,800
- Education
- Associate's
Reuses 90% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 8,800 openings a year.
Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders.
Respiratory Therapist salary & outlook → - 85% skill overlap
28. Financial Examiner
Business and Financial Operations
- Median pay
- $94,160
- Growth
- +18.5%
- Openings/yr
- 5,700
- Education
- Bachelor's
Reuses 85% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 5,700 openings a year.
Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
- 94% skill overlap
29. Optometrist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $136,570
- Growth
- +8.0%
- Openings/yr
- 2,400
- Education
- Doctorate
Reuses 94% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 2,400 openings a year.
Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
- 97% skill overlap
30. Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $300,080
- Growth
- +4.3%
- Openings/yr
- 300
- Education
- Doctorate
Reuses 97% of the transferable skills O*NET records for nurses, and BLS projects 300 openings a year.
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and help prevent disorders and diseases of the eye.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
Jobs for Former Nurses: FAQ
What jobs can former nurses do?
Ranked by transferable-skill overlap and projected demand, the closest match in the NueCareer bank is Psychiatric Technician at $45,130 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with +20.0% projected employment change over 2024–2034. The full list below covers 30 occupations, 30 of which are projected to grow.
How were these career changes ranked?
Each occupation in the bank carries an O*NET transferable-skill vector. We take the cosine overlap between that vector and the skill vector of the occupation you are leaving, then combine it with the destination's projected growth and annual openings. Careers that build on registered nursing’s clinical judgement, patient communication and coordination skills, ranked by transferable-skill overlap and projected demand.
Do former nurses take a pay cut when they switch?
That depends entirely on where you land. Across these 30 destinations the middle occupation pays $78,565 a year, with a range of $42,260 to $300,080 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). For reference, the median across all US occupations is $50,980. Every card below shows the real median so you can compare against what you earn now.
Do you need to go back to school?
Not necessarily: 9 of the 30 destinations have a typical entry requirement below an associate's degree (BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034). Each card shows the requirement so you can filter by what you are willing to retrain for.