Leaving nursing can feel like a big step – especially after dedicating so many years to helping others. But if you’re feeling burnt out, undervalued, or just ready for something new, you’re not alone. Many nurses across the UK are rethinking their careers and exploring alternative paths that offer more flexibility, better work-life balance, and greater personal fulfilment.

Whether you’ve worked in hospitals, clinics or community settings, your skills are incredibly valuable – and highly transferable. If you’re exploring career changes for nurses, looking for alternative careers for nurses, or searching for career opportunities for mental health nurses, or careers for rn nurses, it may be time to consider something different – but just as meaningful.

That’s where Move it or Lose it comes in. We offer a unique opportunity for nurses to start a new career path and take their health knowledge, empathy and communication skills and use them to build a thriving business – all while making a positive impact on the lives of older adults.

Why nurses are looking for a career change

Nursing is a rewarding profession, but it also comes with many pressures. Long shifts, night work, emotional strain and a lack of career progression can leave even the most dedicated professionals feeling worn out. It’s no surprise that many healthcare professionals are considering a new path.

Some of the most common reasons nurses explore career changes include:

• Burnout from the physical and emotional demands of the job
• Limited flexibility around family life or other commitments
• Desire for more autonomy and freedom in how and when they work
• Low pay compared to the level of responsibility they carry
• A need for new challenges in a different but related field

Many nurses still want to help people – but without the long hours and overwhelming pressure. If that sounds like you, you might be wondering what jobs for ex-nurses exist that let you use your skills in a different way.

The most common career change for nurses in the UK

When it comes to the most common career change for nurses, many look to roles where they can still make a difference, but in a more supportive and less stressful environment. Popular options include:

• Healthcare education or tutoring
• Health coaching and wellness programmes
• Social work or community care roles
• Healthcare administration or consultancy
• Fitness and exercise instruction

Becoming a Move it or Lose it instructor is a popular and exciting option because it ticks all the boxes: helping others, flexible hours, great earning potential, and continued use of your healthcare experience – just in a new way.

There’s a wide range of career paths available for nurses looking to branch out beyond the traditional healthcare setting. Some transition into roles such as nurse educator, training the next generation of healthcare workers, while others find fulfilment as a social worker, supporting individuals and families in the community.

Positions in healthcare administration, including managing medical records or working as a legal nurse consultant, are also growing in demand and make good use of clinical experience. Many ex-nurses thrive in health careers that focus on prevention and wellbeing, rather than crisis care.

While there are many nursing jobs and nursing roles still available in hospitals, a growing number of nurses work in innovative, non-clinical environments – and Move it or Lose it is proud to be part of that evolving landscape.

Why Move it or Lose it is a great fit for nurses

At Move it or Lose it, we train instructors to deliver specialist exercise classes for older adults. These classes help people improve their strength, balance, flexibility and aerobic fitness – all key to staying independent and reducing the risk of falls or frailty.

For nurses, especially those in mental health or community care, this is a natural transition. You have the transferable skills and experience. You already understand the importance of movement for physical and mental health.

You know how to communicate with empathy and adapt to people’s needs. Becoming a Move it or Lose it instructor allows you to build on those skills, while enjoying more freedom and less stress.

You don’t need a background in fitness to apply – just a passion for helping people and a desire to stay active.

Alternative careers for registered nurses: Using your existing skills in a new way

Your nursing background gives you an excellent foundation for success as a Move it or Lose it instructor. Many of the skills you’ve developed are directly applicable to this role, including:

• ✅ Empathy and communication – Building relationships with older adults and making them feel supported and motivated
• ✅ Health awareness – Understanding the needs and limitations of individuals with long-term conditions
• ✅ Leadership – Confidently leading a group and creating a positive, welcoming environment
• ✅ Problem-solving – Adapting exercises on the spot for participants with different abilities

If you’re a mental health nurse, your ability to spot signs of social isolation or anxiety will also help you create inclusive, person-centred classes that offer more than just exercise – they become a social lifeline.

Flexible hours and great pay

One of the biggest benefits of becoming a Move it or Lose it instructor is the flexibility. Most classes take place during weekday mornings or early afternoons – no more night shifts or long weekends on the ward. You can work part-time or full-time, depending on your lifestyle and commitments.

Many instructors run multiple classes per week in community centres, care homes, and even NHS settings. If you teach ten classes a week, for example, you could earn around £4,000 per month – and still have time for your own wellbeing and family life.

This makes it one of the best well-paid jobs after teaching or nursing, especially for those looking for purpose-driven work without the pressures of clinical practice.

Full training and support

You don’t need any fitness qualifications to get started. Our FABS Instructor Training Programme covers everything you need to know. FABS stands for Flexibility, Aerobics, Balance and Strength – the key components recommended by the Chief Medical Officer to support healthy ageing.

You’ll learn how to:

• Deliver safe and effective chair-based or standing exercises
• Adapt exercises for individuals with a range of conditions
• Motivate and engage older adults
• Build your confidence as a group leader

Once trained, you’ll become a licensed instructor and can start running your own classes right away. You’ll also receive:

👉 Marketing materials to promote your classes

👉 A class listing on our national Classfinder directory

👉 Access to ongoing training and business support

👉 Peer support from a nationwide instructor network

👉 Updates on new routines and best practices

We’re here to help you succeed at every step of your journey.

Career opportunities for mental health nurses

For mental health nurses, the shift to delivering group exercise can be especially powerful. Loneliness, depression, and anxiety are common among older adults – and movement is proven to help both physical and mental health.

Your understanding of emotional wellbeing will help create a supportive space where people feel safe, connected and uplifted. You’ll not only improve physical fitness, but help people feel less alone – which is one of the most valuable things you can do.

This makes Move it or Lose it one of the most fulfilling career opportunities for mental health nurses, offering a holistic approach to health that combines physical, emotional and social wellbeing.

Take the next step towards a new career

If you’re exploring alternative careers for nurses, careers for ex-nurses, or simply wondering what to do next – becoming a Move it or Lose it instructor could be exactly what you’re looking for.

✅ Use your existing skills in a fresh, fun way

✅ Set your own schedule and choose when you work

✅ Earn more than many traditional part-time jobs

✅ Stay active and look after your own wellbeing

✅ Make a real difference in the lives of older people

We’re proud to support former nurses across the UK in finding a new path that fits their lifestyle, values and goals.Take the next step

If you’re ready to explore one of the best jobs for ex-nurses in the UK, now is the time to take action. Becoming a Move it or Lose it instructor gives you the chance to combine your healthcare skills with the freedom of self-employment.

💬 Interested in learning more? Request a free info pack or book a call with us today to discover how you can start your new career.

📅 Choose a time that works for you, and we’ll answer all your questions!

Making the switch from nursing doesn’t mean giving up on helping others—it means creating a career on your own terms. With Move it or Lose it, you can enjoy a balanced, well-paid, and fulfilling career that allows you to make a real difference.