Are you a healthcare professional who wants to leave the industry? You aren’t alone. Forbes reported in December 2024 that one out of five Gen Z healthcare workers are considering leaving the field. Even if you aren’t in that demographic, you may dream of a career pivot into an industry that is less taxing on the body and pays more. If so, here are the best careers outside of healthcare.
Key Takeaways
- Burnout and Stress are Major Factors in Healthcare Career Changes: Healthcare professionals frequently face overwhelming stress due to labor shortages, long hours, and emotional exhaustion. These challenges lead many to seek careers with better work-life balance and less physical and emotional strain.
- Healthcare Workers Possess Highly Transferable Skills: Skills like communication, problem-solving, attention to detail, time management, empathy, and teamwork are invaluable in various industries. These competencies make healthcare workers strong candidates for roles such as real estate agents, project managers, HR specialists, and more.
- Top Career Options for Healthcare Professionals Outside the Industry: Career options such as real estate, medical writing, health and wellness coaching, human resources, and project management offer healthcare professionals new opportunities for growth, flexibility, and earning potential. Many of these roles align well with the skills healthcare workers have developed throughout their careers.
- Steps to Successfully Transition to a New Career: A successful career change requires research, planning, networking, gaining relevant qualifications, and seeking mentorship. Small, consistent steps toward the goal, patience, and resilience can help healthcare professionals smoothly navigate this transition.
Why Healthcare Professionals Consider Career Changes
Why do healthcare professionals change careers? Below are the most common reasons you may be considering a career change from healthcare.
Burnout and stress
Burnout is a critical issue for healthcare workers. According to “Why Healthcare Workers Want to Quit,” over half of healthcare workers surveyed cite “labor shortages” as a primary source of stress. Understaffed healthcare facilities leave employees spread too thin, causing more to leave the profession.
Desire for a better work-life balance
Healthcare workers must often work twelve-hour shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays. This schedule makes it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Physical strain
The physical demands of healthcare jobs contribute significantly to career dissatisfaction. According to the report mentioned above, healthcare workers report higher rates of physical well-being deterioration (27%) than workers in other industries (21%). Long shifts, physically demanding tasks, and chronic fatigue are all contributing factors.
Emotional exhaustion
Healthcare workers face unique emotional challenges, including coping with patient outcomes and labor shortages that impact the quality of care they can give. This emotional toll often leads to feelings of being undervalued, with only 41% of healthcare workers feeling fairly compensated for their contributions, compared to 52% of workers overall.
Seeking new challenges and opportunities
Many healthcare professionals are also motivated to leave the industry in search of personal growth and opportunities outside their current roles. Of course, this desire to try something new is not exclusive to the healthcare industry.
Transferable Skills from Healthcare
Sometimes, people remain in a stressful or unfulfilling job because they believe they lack the skills or qualifications to transition to another career. However, healthcare workers possess a wealth of transferable skills that are highly valuable in various fields. These skills can pave the way for new opportunities in a wide range of industries.
What skills do healthcare professionals bring to other careers? Here are a few to add to your resume.
Exceptional communication skills
Healthcare workers must have superior communication skills to educate patients, collaborate with colleagues, or address complex or sensitive issues. This ability to build trust and explain complex concepts is invaluable in any role requiring strong interpersonal skills.
Advanced problem-solving abilities
Healthcare workers are adept at thinking critically and finding quick (sometimes lifesaving!) solutions to unexpected challenges. The ability to problem-solve on the fly makes them qualified for fast-paced roles.
Meticulous attention to detail
Healthcare workers manage intricate details daily, from maintaining accurate medical records to carefully monitoring treatment progress. Their precision and thoroughness ensure reliability and accuracy. These qualities are crucial in fields where attention to detail is essential, such as project management, quality control, or data analysis.
Strong time management and organization
Balancing numerous priorities, managing tight schedules, and handling high-pressure environments are core competencies for healthcare workers. Their ability to efficiently juggle multiple responsibilities translates seamlessly to many careers outside of healthcare.
Empathy and emotional intelligence
Healthcare workers typically have exceptional empathy and emotional intelligence. These qualities enable them to understand and respond to the unique needs of others, making them highly effective in roles centered on customer service, counseling, or leadership.
Collaboration skills
Teamwork is central to healthcare, where professionals frequently collaborate with diverse groups to achieve shared goals. This ability to foster strong connections and maintain productive relationships is highly beneficial in roles prioritizing teamwork, negotiation, or stakeholder engagement.
In short, you have highly transferrable skills that are sought out by hiring managers and recruiters in many other industries.
5 Top Career Change Options for Healthcare Professionals
Are you wondering how to get out of healthcare? Here are some career change options that are outside of the industry.
1. Real Estate Agent
What are the best careers outside of healthcare? Real estate is a fantastic choice! When you consider a healthcare worker’s skill set, the earning potential of real estate agents, and the straightforward process of becoming licensed, this career switch makes perfect sense.
Average salary: $100,290 (Indeed, January 2025)
Job description: Real estate agents assist clients in buying, selling, or renting properties, but the opportunities don’t stop there. With a real estate license, you can explore various career paths, including property management, or specialize in a niche like luxury or commercial real estate.
Why real estate is a good career for healthcare professionals: One of the biggest perks of being a real estate agent is the flexibility it offers. You can set your own schedule, allowing for an excellent work-life balance. Plus, as an agent, you’ll continue to make a meaningful impact by guiding families through one of life’s most significant and emotional moments—finding a home.
Another advantage of a real estate career is its flexibility to start part-time. You can build your real estate business on your days off from healthcare work, making it an ideal side gig or transition option while maintaining your current job. Many professionals use real estate to supplement their income.
How to become a real estate agent: The process for obtaining a real estate license varies by state but generally involves completing pre-licensing coursework, passing a background check, submitting an application, and taking an exam. In many states, you can earn your real estate license in as little as three months and for under $1,500.
2. Medical Writer
Medical writing is an excellent option for healthcare professionals who want to stay connected to the medical field without the stress of patient care.
Average salary: $95,577 (Indeed, January 2025)
Job description: Medical writers create content for healthcare organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions. They write clinical trial reports, patient education materials, regulatory documents, and marketing content related to medical products.
Why medical writing is a good career for healthcare professionals: Healthcare workers have a deep understanding of medical terminology and processes, which makes them well-suited for this career. It’s also an excellent option for those who prefer flexible schedules and remote work opportunities. Medical writers can combine their clinical knowledge with strong writing skills to make a meaningful impact through education and communication.
How to become a medical writer: While a life sciences or healthcare degree can give you an advantage, it’s not always required to become a medical writer. Building strong writing skills, understanding medical jargon, and creating a portfolio of relevant work are essential steps.
3. Health and Wellness Coach
Transitioning into health and wellness coaching allows healthcare professionals to use their knowledge to help others achieve their personal wellness goals.
Average salary: $21.41/hour (Indeed, January 2025)
Job description: Health and wellness coaches work with individuals or groups to improve their physical and mental well-being. They provide guidance on nutrition, exercise, stress management, and lifestyle changes to help clients achieve sustainable health goals.
Why health and wellness coaching is a good career for healthcare professionals: Healthcare workers already have a foundation of knowledge about the human body and wellness practices, making this career a natural fit. It also provides an opportunity to connect with people on a more personal level and focus on prevention rather than treatment. Many coaches also enjoy the flexibility of setting their own hours and working independently.
How to become a health and wellness coach: Many coaching programs offer certifications, such as those through the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching. These programs typically take a few months to complete and focus on communication, goal-setting, and client motivation techniques.
4. Human Resources Specialist
Healthcare professionals are often well-suited for human resources roles due to their strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
Average salary: $60,055 (Indeed, January 2025)
Job description: HR specialists handle recruitment, employee relations, training, benefits administration, and compliance. In this role, you’ll focus on supporting employees and creating a positive workplace culture.
Why HR is a good career for healthcare professionals: Healthcare workers’ ability to communicate effectively, solve problems, and maintain composure under pressure are valuable assets in HR. Additionally, HR roles often provide better work-life balance compared to healthcare jobs.
How to become an HR specialist: While a degree in business or HR is helpful, many organizations value transferable skills and relevant experience. Certifications can improve your qualifications and help you stand out in the job market.
5. Project Manager
What are the best careers outside of healthcare? Project management is a rewarding career for healthcare workers who enjoy coordinating tasks, managing teams, and ensuring goals are achieved.
Average salary: $90,883 (Indeed, January 2025)
Job description: Project managers oversee projects from start to finish, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and meet specific objectives. This role involves planning, organizing, and working with teams across various industries.
Why project management is a good career for healthcare professionals: Healthcare workers’ ability to multitask, solve problems, and collaborate with diverse teams makes them a natural fit for project management. This career also offers the chance to work in different industries, from technology to construction, while maintaining a structured and goal-oriented approach.
How to become a project manager: While experience managing teams or projects is a plus, certifications can provide you with the credentials needed to enter the field. Many project managers start by gaining experience in a related role and working their way up.
How to Make a Successful Career Transition
How can a healthcare professional transition to a new career?
Taking even small steps each day can help you move closer to your goal. Here’s how to successfully navigate a career transition.
Step 1: Research and plan
By reading this article, you’ve already taken the first step toward your career change. Keep up the momentum by researching your desired field. Review job postings to understand role requirements and identify any certifications or licenses you might need to obtain.
Step 2: Build your network
Networking is key to a successful career transition. Connect with professionals in your target industry through social media platforms like LinkedIn. Attend industry events or join local groups to expand your network and gain valuable insights.
Step 3: Gain relevant qualifications
Some of the careers mentioned in this article may require additional training or education. Enroll in courses or certification programs to build the skills and credentials you need for your new role. Starting now will put you one step closer to your goals.
Step 4: Seek mentorship and guidance
Find a mentor who works in your chosen industry. A mentor can provide valuable advice, share their experiences, and guide you through the transition process. Don’t hesitate to ask for tips on how to break into the field.
Stay Patient and Resilient as You Complete a Career Change from Healthcare
Transitioning to a new career takes time, effort, and dedication. Just as you invested in your current role in healthcare, allow yourself the space to learn, grow, and adapt to new challenges. Patience and resilience will help you navigate this exciting change.
Ready to take the next step in your career journey? If becoming a real estate agent is on your short list of careers, Colibri Real Estate School has already helped more than 520,000 people earn their state’s real estate license. Start exploring your new career today by selecting your state from the drop-down menu on this page!
