Feeling stuck but afraid to walk away from the bedside? Tackle the fear of leaving bedside nursing and make your pivot with confidence
This post was first published on my Medium blog—follow me there for the most up-to-date entries!
You don’t have to hate nursing—or feel burned out—to think about leaving bedside care… and feel scared about what comes next. Sometimes, you’ve simply outgrown the role you once thrived in — but the idea of leaving still feels overwhelming. That fear can keep you stuck longer than you need to be. In this post, you’ll unpack what that fear is really about — and how to move through it with more clarity and confidence.
For many nurses, the thought of leaving bedside care brings more than just logistical questions. It stirs up fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. Fear of losing skills — or losing part of yourself.
What’s behind this fear of leaving bedside nursing? It’s not just fear of change. It’s fear of regret. What if you leave, and the new role doesn’t fit? What if you get in over your head? What if you can’t go back?
I’ve been there.
When I left the bedside, I didn’t leap. I eased out slowly. I worked every other weekend as a staff RN or charge nurse for a while, just in case. And yes — my new job was overwhelming at first. I had moments of wondering if I had made a huge mistake.
But I kept learning even when I felt like I was drowning. And you know what? I figured it out. I learned to swim. I stretched in ways I never would have if I’d stayed comfortable.
Why the fear of leaving bedside nursing is so common
There’s a saying: It’s easier to dance with the devil you know than the devil you don’t. That’s how fear works. It tells you that familiar discomfort is safer than unknown possibility.
But here’s something to remember if you’re feeling the fear of leaving bedside nursing: you are not starting over.
Leaving the bedside doesn’t erase what you’ve built. Your skills, your experience, your insight — they come with you. Even if the next role feels different, your foundation is solid. And if the new job doesn’t fit? You try again. You adjust. You don’t lose who you are.
Fear might be in the car — but it doesn’t have to drive
Fear might be in the car with you right now — but that doesn’t give it the license or privilege to drive. You can take the wheel when you’re ready.
And let’s be honest: imposter syndrome is real. Especially for women. Some studies suggest as many as 75% of women experience it at some point in their careers. I had a big case of imposter syndrome myself in those early months. I was absolutely out over my skis.
What helped me keep going
The people in leadership roles in my non-clinical nursing role noticed qualities I hadn’t fully seen in myself. They told me I was smart, capable, and good at figuring things out. I wasn’t always sure they were right — but hearing it gave me just enough confidence to keep going. Yes, I was underqualified — but I also listened well, stayed humble, and took responsibility for my mistakes. That matters.
And the mistakes? They’re going to happen. Every new job comes with a learning curve. You’ll fumble a few things. But you’ll also find your rhythm. You’ve done this before.
You’ve done hard things before — this is no different
Think back. Most of us had jobs long before we became nurses. We were summer camp counselors, RAs in dorms, cashiers at Target. At first, we were underqualified for those jobs too — but we learned. We adapted. We made it work.
We can do the same beyond the bedside — even if the fear of leaving bedside nursing still lingers.
What’s really holding you back?
The real barrier isn’t our resume — it’s our limiting beliefs. The fear that we can’t. That we shouldn’t. That we’ll fail.
But as Henry Ford said: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right.”
If fear is whispering to you, here’s a simple journaling prompt to take the pressure off:
“What part of nursing do I want to keep — and what am I afraid to let go of?”
And then ask yourself:
“If fear weren’t in the car, where would I go next?”
Because fear may be loud, but it’s not always wise.
You’re not starting over. You’re starting the next thing.
Whether you take the leap or tiptoe toward something new, you deserve a role that fits who you are now — not just who you were when you started.
This is why I created my new course— to help you move forward with clarity, structure, and support. Not in spite of the fear of leaving bedside nursing — but through it.
It’s called “Beyond the Bedside,” and it walks you through what to do before you make a move. We’ll talk through your options, what makes a career pivot successful, and how to avoid jumping from one draining job to another.
Drop a comment or DM me on LinkedIn if you want early access. Space is limited.
You’re not alone. And you’re not stuck.
Let’s take the next step together.
This post was first published on my Medium blog—follow me there for the most up-to-date entries!