How I Left Nursing for Community Health: CHEW’s Experience That Got People Talking
By FNA Staff
22 August 2026
A Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW) has described her decision to leave nursing and move into community health as a calling. Her TikTok account of the change has prompted strong reactions online.
In the video, posted under the account @zag_meds, she said the switch was driven by a sense of purpose. “I didn’t leave Nursing because I wasn’t good enough,” she stated. “I left because I discovered where my heart truly belongs.” She spoke of finding satisfaction in health education, community outreach, prevention work and supporting families. She added that nursing and community health both matter and that people are drawn to different roles.
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Some viewers have questioned this explanation. Commenters claimed she either failed her PTS exam or was forced to leave her nursing studies. They suggested the career switch may have been less about personal discovery and more about academic or professional difficulties.
Nursing professionals and career observers point out that the profession extends far beyond hospital wards. Nurses work in case management, education, administration, research, informatics, policy, occupational health, telehealth and senior leadership. The field offers flexible shift patterns, part-time options, travel roles and the chance to move between specialties.
On a global scale, nursing continues to provide strong demand, competitive pay and credentials that travel well across borders. These features give it greater long-term security and mobility than many Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW) roles, which can differ widely in structure, pay and progression routes.
Leaving a profession with such breadth for one that often has narrower scope and fewer portable opportunities is a step that carries real consequences. Those considering a similar change would do well to weigh the practical advantages of nursing carefully before deciding.
The discussion around the video highlights ongoing questions about career fulfilment, professional status and the pressures of healthcare training. It also underlines why many still see nursing as the more versatile and resilient path.
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Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support nurses across Africa.
Charles Wealth is an accomplished healthcare administrator with decades of hands-on experience across various healthcare organizations in Nigeria and beyond. Known for his strategic leadership, operational excellence, and deep commitment to advancing the nursing profession, Charles brings a wealth of expertise to healthcare management, policy, and professional development.
As a co-founder and Editor at Fellow Nurses Africa, he plays a pivotal role in shaping content that educates, inspires, and unites nurses across the continent. His editorial vision focuses on amplifying the voices of nurses, highlighting best practices, addressing contemporary challenges in healthcare, and promoting professional growth within the nursing community.
With a strong background in healthcare administration, Charles is passionate about bridging the gap between clinical practice and effective leadership. He continues to contribute significantly to the development of robust healthcare systems and the empowerment of nurses through knowledge sharing and advocacy.
