Welcome to this month’s edition of The Nontraditional Nurse!
The Nontraditional Nurse spotlight
Kenzie Butler’s career spans critical care nursing, simulation education, medical device training, and nurse practitioner board prep leadership. Today, she works at Blueprint Test Prep while also providing 1:1 coaching for nurses ready to pivot into new roles.
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If I can be managing five presser drips at any given time, I can certainly manage navigating corporate America.
— Kenzie Butler
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In the video below, Kenzie walks us through her journey. Whether you’re curious about nontraditional roles, feeling burned out at the bedside, or just need a dose of inspiration, this interview offers real talk, practical advice, and encouragement to embrace discomfort and say yes to growth—even when imposter syndrome tries to hold you back.
Transcript available here
Key Takeaways
You already have transferable skills.
If you’ve ever explained a complex medication, educated a patient’s family, or advocated for best practices during shift change—you’ve built communication, education, leadership, and problem-solving skills. These are exactly what companies look for in roles like med device, clinical education, and health tech. Make sure you are highlighting these skills in your resume and interviews.
Reframe your mindset.
Kenzie encourages nurses to ask, “But what if it works out?” instead of focusing on worst-case scenarios. This small mindset shift can open you up to opportunities you never thought possible—and make big changes feel more like a growth step than a risk.
Say yes—even when it’s uncomfortable.
Whether it was jumping into an adjunct teaching role, navigating med device sales, or leading strategy in a test prep company, Kenzie’s growth came from leaning into unfamiliar roles. She reminded us that discomfort often means you’re stretching into something new—and that’s exactly where confidence is built.
The bedside will always be there.
One of the most powerful reminders Kenzie shared: you can always go back to the bedside. Knowing that gives you permission to take a chance, try something new, and explore roles beyond traditional nursing without fear of burning bridges. Your license, skills, and experience go with you—wherever you land next.
How to get started?
Feeling stuck or unsure where to begin is totally normal. Kenzie Butler’s career path didn’t start with a roadmap—but it did start with curiosity, reflection, and the courage to say yes. Here’s how to take your first few steps:
Start With Your 'Why'
Before job searching, pause and ask:
👉 What does fulfillment look like for me right now?
👉 What do I want more of—or less of—in my next role?
👉 What kind of life do I want my job to support?
You don’t need a 5-year plan, but you do need a north star. This could be:
- More flexibility to be present at home
- Work that feels meaningful and mission-driven
- Using your skills in creative, impactful ways
- Career growth or financial stability
💡 Knowing your why helps filter out the noise and keeps you focused when the job hunt gets overwhelming. Sending out hundreds of resumes to different roles without understanding what you are truly looking for can lead to frustration and a LOT of rejection.
Take Inventory of Transferable Skills
Once your focus is clearer, think about what you already do well.
- Are you great at breaking down complex ideas? → Education, training, or medical writing
- Are you the go-to person for organizing chaos? → Operations, care coordination, program management
- Are you a natural connector? → Recruiting, community outreach, or patient advocacy
Write down 3 things you love doing—and 3 compliments you’ve received recently. This is your value foundation.
💡 Pro tip: These skills are already valuable in nonclinical settings—you just need to frame them differently.
Explore New Possibilities
Now that you know what you’re looking for and what you bring to the table, start exploring:
- Use LinkedIn to search for jobs by function, not just by “nurse”
- Follow nurses who have left the bedside and learn from their paths
- Look into growing industries: health tech, medical education, insurance, device companies, consulting
Still unsure? Shadow someone, set up a coffee chat, or attend a virtual event.
Rework Your Resume and LinkedIn
- Lead with your why and impact—not just tasks
- Swap bedside jargon for industry-relevant keywords
- Tailor your summary to reflect where you’re headed
e.g. “Nurse educator passionate about simplifying complex medical topics through engaging, accessible content.”
Need help? Use tools like:
- ChatGPT for brainstorming wording
- Free keyword optimization sites
- The Nontraditional Nurse interviews for inspiration!
- Kenzie Butler for personal career coaching
Talk to Real Humans
Don't overlook the power of LinkedIn networking.
Don’t apply blindly—connect intentionally:
- Search roles or companies you’re curious about
- Message people in those roles:
“Hi [Name], I’m a nurse exploring new directions and your role really caught my eye. Would you be open to a quick chat about your journey?”
People remember curiosity. These conversations often lead to insight—or even opportunity.
Take the First Step
Apply to one role. Message one nurse. Rewrite one resume bullet. Say yes to one informational call.
“You will always be able to go back to the bedside. Point blank period.”
-Kenzie Butler
But what if… you don’t need to?
Your laughter injection.
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Why are nurses afraid of the outdoors?
Too much poison IV.
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