From Bedside to Tech: What It Really Takes to Get the Role of Your Dreams

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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to trade in your stethoscope for a laptop? Or swap your scrubs for yoga pants or pajama bottoms?

For many, this idea may seem far-fetched.

But here’s the reality: the healthcare industry is evolving rapidly, with technology leading the way.

This presents exciting opportunities for us to apply our clinical expertise in new and innovative ways. If you are feeling burnt out at the bedside and intrigued by this possibility, then you’ll want to read this article, because there is no better time than now to make the necessary shifts to land your dream nursing job in tech.

With practical steps and mindset shifts, in this article, we’ll explore what it really takes to land that dream tech role.

Stay open-minded.

Let’s start by breaking down the barrier of impossibilities – something many of us nurses struggle with. We often have this tendency to dismiss roles within nursing if they don’t involve direct patient care.

In my current role, I often meet nurses who call themselves ‘ex-nurses’ just because they no longer work at the bedside. They struggle to see themselves as nurses simply because their job doesn’t involve direct patient care.

I am guilty of this too.

When I was in nursing school, my world revolved around bedside care. Our curriculum and clinical rotations were laser-focused on direct patient interaction. The hardest, most physically demanding, and mentally exhausting bedside positions were put on a pedestal. And if we wanted to advance? Becoming an NP or CRNA seemed like the only options on the table. I know several nurses who did not have a real interest in these career paths but pursued them out of desperation from bedside burnout or boredom from unfulfillment.

But here’s the thing – those paths just didn’t resonate with me. Also, the thought of piling on more student loan debt for another degree was not exactly appealing.

Like many of you, I felt boxed in, and on my toughest days, I even regretted my nursing degree. If these were my only options, I couldn’t see myself sticking with nursing until it was time to retire. Have you had the same thoughts?

Would you believe me if I told you there are so many unspoken paths in nursing that we’re rarely told about or encouraged to explore? Did you know nurses are out there writing textbooks, creating e-learning curricula, and even diving into cybersecurity? Some of us are coding healthcare software or killing it in online marketing roles. Then there are nurses spearheading health tech startups, bringing value to pharmaceutical companies, and making waves in the healthcare world through healthcare policy. Who would’ve thought, right?

I discovered that my nursing background is a superpower in the tech world. It gave me a unique perspective that tech companies are hungry for.

So, my first piece of advice? Keep an open mind. Don’t let anyone – including yourself – put you in a box. Get creative with what you have to offer. Because trust me, there are places in the healthcare world for nurses like us who want to color outside the lines a bit.

Now that we’ve opened our minds to the possibilities, let’s explore a more practical way to prepare yourself for your dream role in tech.

You must commit to self-improvement.

When self-improvement is mentioned to us as nurses, our conditioned minds typically think of obtaining degrees or credentials to add to our name.

If that’s the case for you, then you will want to come back around for my next article. I will speak about which degrees and certifications could enhance your chances of securing your dream tech role. But in this article, I am not talking about accumulating more degrees or certifications to display on your wall.

The type of self-improvement I am referring to does not require a fancy certificate or letters after your name.

You know that feeling when you’ve binge-watched an entire season of Bridgerton or Real Housewives in one weekend and discussed each episode with your friends? It’s great, right? But let me ask you this: how often has talking about the latest TV drama helped you land your dream job?

Real self-improvement often means making choices that aren’t always fun or instantly rewarding. It means opting out of brunch with friends to improve your skills in Excel or choosing to take a public speaking course instead of mindlessly scrolling through TikTok or attending a party.

As someone who has experienced the constant struggle of survival mode since becoming homeless in adolescence, I am well-acquainted with sacrificing my free time for long-term benefits. I quickly learned that those minor sacrifices add up. Big time!

Can you imagine yourself confidently presenting your knowledge, ideas, and skills to a room full of tech executives? Imagine effortlessly navigating through complex data sets, software, or concepts that impress your colleagues enough to hire you on the spot.

This is the impact of consistent, behind-the-scenes self-improvement.

Now, I’m not saying you have to become a hermit or never enjoy your favorite shows again. I understand that sacrificing time for self-improvement is not easy for everyone. My unwillingness to sacrifice all my time to studies is exactly why I have decided against CRNA school.

Remember, balance is key.

However, if you are serious about saying goodbye to bedside nursing to pursue your dream nursing tech role, you must be willing to put in the work – especially when no one is looking.

This kind of growth rarely receives external validation. There won’t be a certificate for “Watched 50 YouTube Tutorials on Mastering Microsoft 365 Instead of Reality TV.” But trust me, the payoff is much greater than any rhetorical pat on the back.

In my own career, I’ve found that every Excel formula mastered, and every public speaking fear conquered has brought me so much closer to my end goal of striking the perfect balance of freedom, profit, and purpose.

So, my advice is to commit today to self-improvement until you achieve your dream nursing job in tech. What aspect of your career can you start improving today to boost your chances of getting your dream tech job?

Now that we’ve talked about this important shift, let’s focus our attention on a key aspect of improving your life: making sure you’re surrounded by the right people.

Surround yourself with supportive and believing people.

Have you heard the saying, “Birds of a feather flock together”? Well, in my experience, there’s a lot of truth to that, especially when you’re making bold moves and taking risks in your nursing career.

Throughout my years of mentoring nurses who are aspiring for more, I’ve heard countless stories of friends and loved ones who, intentionally or not, became roadblocks rather than cheerleaders. You might have heard similar things:

“You’re doing too much.” “Why don’t you just get a regular nursing job like everyone else?” “You can’t do that. It’s not going to work.”

Let me be clear: if these are the primary voices in your life, it’s time for a change. Get rid of these people.

Nobody is going to see your dream exactly as you do. And that’s okay. What’s not okay is when people actively discourage you or downplay your aspirations. The right people in your life should be the ones pushing you to new heights, even if they don’t fully understand your path.

There is a fine line between realness, honesty and just being a plain hater. For many of us, it can be tough to spot when someone’s crossed that line, especially when it’s family or longtime friends. So, let’s highlight this with an example:

Imagine you’ve discovered a passion for drawing. You’re not great at it yet, but you’re excited about the possibility of incorporating this skill into your nursing career – maybe in healthcare app design or medical illustration. You share this dream with your closest friends and family.

A friend who doesn’t have your best interests at heart might say: “You’re not even good at drawing. Artists don’t make money. Stick to your day job.”

But a supportive friend? They might surprise you with an online creative drawing course for your birthday or send you links to YouTube tutorials they stumbled across. They might even say: “That’s an interesting idea! Have you thought about how you could combine drawing with your career goals? I bet there are some cool opportunities there.”

See the difference? One response shuts down your dream before it has a chance to grow. The other nurtures it, even if they don’t fully understand it.

Take a moment and reflect. Which of these types of people are you surrounded by? Are your closest confidants cheering you on, or are they holding you back?

Your journey to tech involves acquiring new skills, but it’s also about personal growth. This may mean you’ll outgrow some relationships and nurture others that align with your new path.

So, here’s your action step: Make a list of the five people you spend the most time with. Next to each name, write down how they typically respond when you share your dreams or new ideas. Are they supportive? Skeptical? Indifferent? This exercise can be eye-opening and might help you realize it’s time to expand your circle to include more supportive influences.

In my own journey, I’ve had to make some tough decisions about who I spend my time with. It is a difficult reality to confront. There have been many days when I shed a fist full of tears after deciding to prioritize myself and let go of relationships that hindered my personal growth. But surrounding myself with people who believe in my potential has truly transformed my life. It has granted me the courage to take risks, to believe in myself even when things get tough, and to keep pushing forward towards my goals.

Your dreams deserve support.

Don’t let anyone dim your light or make you feel like you’re reaching too high. In the world of nursing and tech, the sky’s the limit – and the right people in your life will help you develop into your greatness and soar.

Now that we have taken an inventory of those whom we welcome into our lives, let’s now turn our attention to taking inventory of ourselves, which will be the focus of my next piece of advice.

Know your worth and articulate it.

I’m not talking about those cliché “believe in yourself” mantras you see plastered all over social media.

As you journey from bedside to tech, you’re going to be picking up new skills left and right. Maybe you’re mastering data analytics, writing, graphic design, or diving into the world of health informatics. Whatever it is, you’re expanding your skillset, and that’s amazing.

But those new skills don’t mean a thing if you can’t effectively communicate their value to others.

Take it from someone who’s been there – this was a major hurdle for me when I first started transitioning into non-conventional nursing roles. I knew I had valuable skills, but when it came to articulating them in marketing, networking events, and interviewing? I felt like a deer in headlights.

So, here’s my next advice to you: Start taking regular inventory of your skills. All of them. Those IV starts that you can do with your eyes closed? That’s precision and dexterity. Your ability to calm an anxious patient? That’s emotional intelligence and communication skills. Your knack for juggling multiple tasks during a hectic shift? That’s project management.

But the real game-changer is learning how to translate these skills into the tech world. It’s not enough to say, “I’m good with patients.”Instead, say something like, “I have a strong background in communicating effectively, resolving conflicts, and solving problems in demanding situations. These skills directly contribute to my ability to create exceptional user experience designs for your healthcare application.”

Can you see what I did there?

I’ll be honest with you – this doesn’t happen overnight. It took me what felt like ages to get comfortable talking about my skills in a way that resonated outside of the bedside world. I am still perfecting how to explain exactly what I do to my online audience. So, remember to be patient with yourself. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is your perfect elevator pitch.

What I’ve discovered is that as you continue learning and growing, you’ll find yourself becoming more and more specialized. You’ll discover niches within healthcare that you didn’t even know existed. And before you know it, you might stumble upon a job description that feels like it was written just for you. I know this because it recently happened to me.

I remember the day I found the posting for my current role. It was like someone had peeked inside my brain, listed all my skills and interests, and created a need tailor-made for me. That’s the power of continuous learning and self-reflection.

So, your homework for this section is to start a skills inventory list. Write down everything you bring to the table, from your nursing skills to that online course you’ve been tinkering with. Then, practice articulating these skills, in front of your mirror, to highlight your value in the tech world.

Remember, you’re not just a nurse looking to break into tech. You’re a healthcare professional with a unique blend of expertise, who also happens to be tech-savvy. Own that uniqueness. Articulate it confidently. Because your mix of skills might be exactly what a company is looking for.

In our last section we will get deep and personal as we discuss what I feel is the foundational key to any life or career transition. Faith.

Have Faith.

While you must believe in yourself and have faith in the process. We need to get deeper, and more profound. You must have faith and place God at the center of your career plans and your life.

In my experience, true success and fulfillment come when we align our ambitions with a higher purpose. When we recognize our skills, our passions, and even our desire to transition into an industry like tech – it isn’t random. They’re gifts, opportunities provided by God to make a difference in this world.

Let’s get real. The journey we’ve been discussing – from redefining your nursing role to breaking into a new industry – is not always going to be smooth sailing. There will be moments of doubt, frustration, maybe even moments where you’ll want to throw in the towel and go back to the physically demanding, and mentally exhausting bedside position that feels most familiar.

This is where faith becomes your anchor. When you center your plans around God, you’re acknowledging that there’s a bigger picture at play. You’re recognizing that your career isn’t just about personal success, but about fulfilling a greater purpose.

For me, this faith has been my guiding light. My faith has allowed me to surrender and trust the journey even when things got hard.

When doors closed, and I faced rejection or setbacks, my faith reminded me that this was not the end of my journey. It’s simply a redirection. My faith in God gave me the strength to persevere, to keep learning, to keep growing, even when the path forward wasn’t clear.

So here is my last piece of advice: As you do the work to land your dream role in tech, I encourage you to take 5-10 minutes each day to center yourself in your faith. Read a daily devotional. Pray. Ask for guidance. Express gratitude for your skills and opportunities and trust that if you’re putting in the work and aligning your life goals with God in the center, you’re on the right path.

Remember, you’re not just changing careers – you’re answering a calling. This is the reason many of us chose the nursing career field in the first place. You’re using your unique blend of nursing expertise and tech skills to make healthcare better, to improve lives in ways that perhaps only you can.

Have faith in that calling. Have faith that the skills you’re developing, the connections you’re making, the opportunities you’re pursuing – are all part of a bigger plan. Your journey from bedside to tech isn’t just about finding a new job. It’s about finding your purpose, about using your gifts in the way they were meant to be used.

Your spiritual foundation and relationship with God should be the foundation upon which you build your new career. It isn’t just a part of your life – it’s the foundation of everything you do. It’s what will sustain you through the challenges and serve as a testimony to others in your victories.

Your Path Forward

Let’s recap what it really takes to land your dream nursing role in tech:

1. Stay open-minded. There’s a whole world of nursing beyond the bedside.
2. Surround yourself with believers, not secret haters and dream-killers.
3. Know your worth and learn to articulate your value to others.
4. Keep learning and growing – your perfect role is out there.
5. Center it all in faith. Let God guide your journey.

6. Download the 21 Days to Unshakeable Confidence Workbook for Nurses Ready to Revolutionize Their Career and:

   • Get the confidence you need to make bold career moves.
   • Learn to articulate your value effectively in any room.
   • Get clear on your purpose and calling in the nursing career field.

   Click here to instantly download your free workbook.

Remember, you’re not leaving nursing – you’re evolving it.

So, what’s your next step?  Maybe it’s updating your resume or LinkedIn, researching courses, or reaching out to that tech-savvy nurse you admire (hopefully me).

Whatever it is, take that step today. Your future in healthcare tech is waiting, now get out there and show the world what nurses can do!