The Most Common Career Changes for Nurses in the UK
Thinking about a career pivot from nursing? Discover the best and most common career changes for UK nurses — and how to make the move with confidence.
Having worked for several years in career consultancy and recruitment, one growing trend I've noticed is the number of nurses considering a new professional direction.
Many people go into the vocation of nursing so they can do meaningful work that makes a difference. However, burnout and the desire for a better work-life balance mean that many registered nurses in the UK are stepping away from traditional clinical roles and into fulfilling second careers, even quite early in their nursing career*.
So, if you're a nurse thinking about a career change, you're far from alone. In this guide, I'll explore the most common paths nurses take when changing careers, what makes these options appealing, and how you can take the first step if you're ready for a change.
I've poured my years of recruitment and career-advisor experience into this article, and have consulted with my colleagues at Learning People for their insights, too. For more advice, feel free to take a look at our ultimate guide to changing careers.
Written by
Kirsten has worked in career development, recruitment, and people-focused roles for several years. She knows what it’s like to navigate career change and to search for a role that's more aligned with your goals; she's proud of the work she does to help our customers develop the tools, mindset, and confidence to land jobs they’re proud of.
Why do so many UK nurses want to change careers?
Before diving into common new career options, it’s important to acknowledge why many nurses consider changing direction. Every person is different, but here are some recurring reasons I hear from the nurses we support at Learning People:
- Burnout and emotional fatigue: Years on the front line can take a toll. Many nurses report feeling physically and emotionally drained, especially after the pandemic.
- Desire for more flexibility and balance: Shift work and long hours often clash with personal responsibilities or the desire for more predictable routines.
- Limited progression or job satisfaction: Some nurses feel their development opportunities are limited, or they seek a role that better aligns with their long-term interests and values.
- A spark of curiosity: For others, it’s not dissatisfaction, but a growing interest in tech, education, business or digital roles that prompts a career rethink.
Times have become harder for nurses, but their skillsets are in demand elsewhere...
Most of the nurses I speak with tell me that despite recent NHS pay rises, their remuneration just isn't enough to keep up with the growing cost of living, and they can't see a clear path to earning more. It's a shame, because they typically find meaning in their work, but they're curious to explore other paths which could also allow them to make a difference in the world.
The two main things I tell nurses looking to career change into tech roles are:
1) You can still have a positive impact on the world working in tech or project management. There are technical skill gaps in pretty much every sector in the UK (including the health sector and the NHS!) so the knowledge and qualifications you acquire through tech courses will certainly be applicable to important causes you believe in.
2) Your transferable skills such as resilience, the ability to work under pressure, problem-solving, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills will help you fly in the world of tech. You won't be starting right at the beginning; by working as a nurse, you've likely already demonstrated qualities employers are looking for in spades.
Some of the most common career changes for UK nurses
One of the biggest myths about leaving nursing is that you have to start over. In reality, you bring with you a goldmine of transferable skills: communication, problem-solving, leadership, empathy, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
Below are some of the most popular and realistic career transitions we’ve supported UK nurses through:
1. Project management
This is one of the most common career pivots for nurses. The organisational and coordination skills nurses use every day naturally align with the core competencies of a project manager.
Why project management for ex-nurses?
- Nurses already excel in managing competing priorities and working across departments.
- Healthcare experience translates well into NHS or private healthcare project roles.
How to get started:
Courses like AgilePM® Foundation or PRINCE2® can provide a strong, recognised entry point into the field.
2. Cyber security and IT support
Surprisingly, cyber security has become an increasingly popular destination for career changers from healthcare backgrounds.
Why cyber and IT for ex-nurses?
- Nurses are already used to working in high-stakes environments with sensitive data.
- Many have developed familiarity with digital systems and understand the importance of data protection.
Example: One former nurse we supported now works in a SOC (Security Operations Centre), helping monitor threats in a major hospital trust.
How to get started:
Begin with foundational certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or IT Fundamentals to build core knowledge.
3. Health tech and digital health roles
The rise of digital healthcare solutions has opened up a variety of roles in user experience, digital training, and implementation.
Why health tech and digital health for ex-nurses?
- Nurses understand the patient journey and know how to spot gaps in real-world application.
- Their insights are incredibly valuable in building or improving health tech platforms.
How to get started:
Look into roles such as clinical informatics specialist, digital trainer, and health tech implementation consultant to see if the responsibilities and salaries make sense for you.
4. Education and training
Some nurses pivot to teaching or training roles — either in clinical settings or outside healthcare entirely.
Why education and training for ex-nurses?
- Nurses are natural educators, whether training junior staff or helping patients understand care plans.
- Opportunities exist in both FE colleges, corporate training, or course development.
How to get started:
Consider qualifications like a Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) to begin teaching in adult education.
*An increasing number of nurses are quitting before the 10-year mark...
the Nursing Times reported last year on findings from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) that rising numbers of nurses are quitting less than a decade into their career.
Analysis of Nursing and Midwifery Council data for England revealed that the number of UK-educated nurses leaving within 10 years of registration has increased by 43%, from 1,607 in 2021 to 2,295 in 2024.
Although it saddens us to know that so many passionate nurses feel pressure to leave a meaningful vocation, at Learning People, we do also know that the fields of tech and project management will offer the vast majority of these healthcare professionals a bright career future.
Career pivots from nursing: Real-life success stories
Over the 15 years that Learning People has been in business, we’ve supported just shy of 50,000 people who want to launch or change their career. We’re proud of our students’ success – seeing the people we work with find careers they love is what motivates us to keep doing this work.
Among these, we’ve supported many nurses make the change to tech or project management roles. Take Faith, for example; she completed project management training with us that helped her move from being a staff nurse to landing a role as a Deputy Manager at an NHS Trust. This is a job that she loves, and that allowed her to stay in healthcare even after changing careers from nursing.
Faith Augustine
After completing our project management training, Faith went from being a staff nurse to a role as a Deputy Manager at an NHS Trust! 💻 🛠️
Bonus advice: Be very clear on what you want out of this career change from nursing
If you’re considering a new direction, here are some reflection points I recommend discussing with a career advisor:
- What parts of nursing do I enjoy most (problem-solving, teaching, admin, tech)?
- Do I want to stay connected to healthcare or explore a new industry?
- What kind of work environment do I want – remote, office-based, flexible?
- What salary or progression goals do I have?
- Am I willing to retrain, and if so, how much time can I realistically commit?
Make sure you have firm answers to these questions: write them down, revisit them, amend and refine them, make sure they're solid enough to inform your next move.
You can then refer back to these and let them guide your job search.
There is a huge and diverse range of roles out there that you, as a nurse, will be well suited to owing to your skills and experience, as we've covered above. One challenge you'll face is narrowing these down to a shortlist of careers you want to pursue and retrain for (a good problem to have!). So, make sure you're crystal clear on what you're looking to do next.
Match your transferable skills to a new career with our quiz...
If you're a nurse looking to change career paths but are not sure where to turn, our career-matching quiz can help.
The MyCareerMatch Career Profile quiz is a scientific, government-backed, powerful assessment that matches your personality style to a career you would love.
It takes just a few minutes to complete, and the report will be completely personalised to you. We've seen hundreds of people start their new career journey by using the MyCareerMatch quiz.
Final thoughts: From nursing to new beginnings
Changing careers from nursing is a big step, but it doesn’t mean leaving behind everything you’ve worked for. You’re not starting over. You’re building on a foundation of resilience, skill, and care that employers in many industries deeply value.
Common career changes for nurses include moving into project management, cyber or IT support, education, and health tech. If you’re ready to explore your next step, my advice is simple: start small, talk to people who’ve done it, and find a learning path that empowers you, not overwhelms you.
At Learning People, we’re here to guide you through every step of your career change, from deciding what roles you should retrain for to offering personal advice on how to rewrite your CV and what to say in interviews.
Whether you're curious about project management, IT, or something else entirely, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Speak to one of our expert career consultants today and take the first step towards a new, fulfilling career beyond nursing. Just hit the button below to book a completely free consultation call with one of our consultants.
FAQS on Changing Careers from Nursing
Some of the most popular career changes for UK nurses include project management, cyber security, health tech implementation, IT support, clinical informatics, and adult education. These roles make the most of a nurse’s transferable skills while offering new challenges, better work-life balance, and strong career progression.
Yes, many nurses successfully transition into tech, project management, or cyber security through short, targeted certifications rather than going back to university. Your transferable skills and real-world experience are highly valued by employers in these industries.
Not necessarily. While some career changers may begin at an entry-level role, nurses often secure mid-level positions thanks to their leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. Many fields, like project management or IT, offer fast salary progression.
Absolutely. Learning People offers flexible, online training that fits around shift work and family responsibilities, allowing you to study at your own pace and build your new career gradually.
No prior tech experience is needed. Many nurses who enter cyber security or digital roles start with beginner-friendly courses that build foundational knowledge from the ground up.
Start by identifying what aspects of your current role you enjoy most, whether it’s problem-solving, teaching, technology, or leadership. A career consultation with Learning People can help match your strengths and goals to suitable new industries.
