Navigating Career Transitions: From Nursing to Software Development — Part 2: The Leap

Leaving Nursing behind wasn’t just a decision it was a whole rebirth. After realising I would never be at peace in that career (no matter how much I was paid), I jumped headfirst into a completely unfamiliar world: software development. This post is about what happened next my real-life experience post-transition, the highs, the lows, and what I’d say to anyone thinking about doing something similar.

1. Starting from Scratch (and Owning It)

Switching fields is humbling. Suddenly, I was no longer the person who knew her stuff. I was the beginner. The one Googling error messages at 2 a.m. The one struggling to understand syntax while others seemed to fly through code.

It was hard. I failed modules. I fell behind. I doubted myself a lot.

But I also reminded myself: every expert was once a beginner. Just because I didn’t get it instantly didn’t mean I wasn’t capable.

2. Finding My Rhythm

After a rocky start, I made some key changes that helped me regain control:

1. I built a realistic study schedule around my job.
2. I used small, achievable goals to stay motivated (e.g., “complete one coding challenge today”).
3. I started watching tutorials before class so I wouldn’t feel lost during sessions.
4. I connected with classmates and joined online forums for support.

Bit by bit, things began to click. I stopped trying to race through learning and instead focused on understanding.

3. Imposter Syndrome Is Real (But It Doesn’t Have to Win)

At times, I felt like a fraud. Like I didn’t belong in tech. Like everyone else was smarter than me.

But here’s what helped:

1. Remembering that doubt doesn’t mean I’m on the wrong path it means I’m growing.
2. Talking to my other classmates who shared the same insecurities.
3. Keeping a “wins list” to remind myself how far I’d come even if it was just fixing a bug that took days.

Imposter syndrome still pops up, but now I meet it with compassion, not self-hate.

4. Celebrating Small Wins

One of the biggest mindset shifts I had to make was celebrating progress, not just perfection.

Some wins I’m proud of:

1. Writing my first full program from scratch
2. Getting positive feedback from my tutors
3. Understanding a concept that once confused the hell out of me
4. Saying “I’m studying software development” with confidence

Each of these moments kept me going when things got tough.

5. Building My Portfolio (and Confidence)

I knew theory wasn’t enough. I needed projects to prove my skills and to prove to myself that I could build real things.

So I started:

1. Creating mini websites and apps
2. Adding them to my GitHub
3. Even experimenting with blog designs ( hey, Brnce Reflections!)

This gave me a sense of ownership and identity beyond just being a “student.”

6. Looking for Community

One of the best decisions I made was joining tech communities that aligned with my identity and values. Spaces like:

1. Code First Girls
2. Private group chats where we shared wins, job postings, and encouragement

You don’t have to do this journey alone and honestly, you shouldn’t.

7. Job Anxiety, Real Talk, and What Keeps Me Going

As I approached graduation, the pressure to land a tech job was real. I won’t pretend otherwise. It’s scary to start over in a competitive field. But here’s what’s different: this time, I’m doing something that excites me even when it’s hard.

And I’d rather struggle in a field I chose than succeed in one that drained me.

Final Words: If You’re Thinking of Making the Jump…

Let me say this clearly: it’s okay to change your mind. It’s okay to outgrow a career. It’s okay to want more even if that “more” scares you.

Here’s what helped me most:

1. Don’t compare your timeline to others’. You’re not late.
2. Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small.
3. Rest when you need to, not when you’ve earned it.
4. Remember: you’re allowed to choose peace.

Up Next…

If you haven’t already, read Part 1 where I talk about how I made the decision to leave nursing. And stay tuned for my bonus post: Unfiltered Thoughts on Leaving Nursing featuring raw diary entries from my final year in the program.