Are you a burned-out medical assistant frustrated with low pay, long hours, and stressful working conditions? Consider a career transition from medical assistant to real estate agent. We know that career pivots can be difficult, but you can get licensed to work as a real estate agent in Florida in a matter of months. Keep reading, as this article will give you reasons to quit a medical assistant job for a real estate career – and how to do it.
Key Takeaways
- Medical Assistants Can Thrive in Real Estate – Many medical assistants seek a career change due to stress, burnout, long hours, and low pay. Real estate offers flexibility, better income potential, and a chance to continue helping people in a new way.
- Transferable Skills Make the Transition Easier – Strong communication, problem-solving, empathy, attention to detail, and multitasking—skills honed in healthcare—are invaluable for success in real estate.
- Becoming a Real Estate Agent is Quick and Affordable – Unlike healthcare careers that require years of schooling, real estate licensing in Florida takes just 2-3 months and costs under $1,000, making it an accessible career switch.
- Part-Time Real Estate is an Option – Medical assistants can start in real estate part-time, allowing them to transition gradually while maintaining financial stability. Partnering with a team can provide additional support during the career switch.
Why Many Medical Assistants Consider Changing Careers
You may have chosen nursing or medical assistance because you wanted to have a meaningful profession and make a difference in people’s lives. While the profession is gratifying, it’s not uncommon for members of the healthcare community to seek a new career path that still allows them to help others – without the drawbacks that come with working at a healthcare facility.
Here are some of the reasons medical assistants leave the industry.
1. Stress
You know all too well that working as a nurse or medical assistant can be extremely stressful. After all, you support patients and their families during some of the most critical times of their lives. Anxiety and fear related to illness and injury cause emotions to run high, and you’re there to provide care and support amidst the stress and turmoil.
While handling emotionally charged situations is difficult, medical assistants also report having stress from witnessing problems they cannot fix. No amount of nursing theory or clinical instruction can prepare someone to interact with a patient ravaged by disease. And witnessing death is an unfortunate part of the job.
2. Burnout
About two-thirds of all nurses experience burnout, according to the American Hospital Association. This burn-out affects one’s physical and mental health. Consider these statistics from the same report:
- 51% of nurses report having anxiety or depression
- 59% of nurses have difficulty sleeping
- 29% say the stress of work has strained their marriage
If you feel your job is affecting your health and well-being, it might be time for a career switch.
3. Desire for work/life balance
Medical assistants typically work 12-hour shifts. While this type of schedule has benefits, it can often lead to fatigue and make it challenging to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Long shifts, weekend hours, and holiday work can leave little time for family, hobbies, or personal relaxation. Many nurses search for careers with greater flexibility and the ability to prioritize their personal lives.
4. Money
The average hourly salary of a medical assistant in Florida is $18.41, according to Indeed, February 2025. This is about $38,000 if you work full time.
For those considering real estate as a profession, it’s worth noting that the median salary of real estate agents in Florida is $97,652, more than two and a half times the salary of a nursing assistant. Of course, a real estate agent’s salary is typically based solely on commission.
Are these the reasons you want to leave your medical assistance job? The good news is that by working as a healthcare worker, you have valuable skills that can transfer to many industries.
Skills That Transfer from the Healthcare Industry to Real Estate
Transitioning from being a medical assistant to real estate agent may seem like a leap, but many of the core skills you’ve developed are invaluable in the real estate industry. Here are some key skills required for success in real estate, one of the best alternative jobs for medical assistants.
1. Communication skills
As a medical assistant, clear and effective communication is crucial when interacting with patients, families, and healthcare teams. In real estate, this translates to engaging with clients, explaining complex processes, and negotiating deals. Your ability to listen actively and articulate information will help build trust and rapport with buyers and sellers.
2. Problem-solving abilities
Working in healthcare often involves thinking quickly on your feet and finding solutions under pressure. Similarly, real estate professionals face challenges like navigating tight deadlines, resolving client concerns, and adapting to market changes. Your problem-solving expertise will ensure you can handle these scenarios with confidence.
3. Empathy
Providing compassionate care is at the heart of being a medical assistant. In real estate, this empathy helps you understand clients’ unique needs, whether they’re first-time buyers, downsizing retirees, or relocating families. Building strong relationships is essential for client satisfaction and repeat business.
4. Attention to detail
As a medical assistant, meticulous attention to detail ensures accurate charting and patient safety. This same precision is invaluable in real estate, where reviewing contracts, assessing property conditions, and managing transactions demand focus and accuracy.
5. Time management and multitasking
Juggling multiple patients and tasks during a shift has taught you to prioritize effectively. Managing appointments, showings, and paperwork requires similar organizational skills in real estate. Your ability to balance competing demands will keep you on top of a busy schedule.
6. Resilience and adaptability
The fast-paced, high-stakes environment of healthcare builds resilience and adaptability. These traits are critical in real estate, where market conditions can shift quickly, and client needs vary. Staying calm under pressure will give you an edge in this dynamic industry.
Your healthcare background equips you with unique skills that can be seamlessly applied to a real estate career. These qualities give you a competitive advantage and position you as a trusted professional who genuinely cares about meeting clients’ needs.
Steps to Transition from Medical Assistant to Real Estate
The good news about becoming a real estate agent is that there is a relatively low bar for entering the profession based on how long it takes and how much it costs. Unlike many healthcare professions, real estate agents don’t have to have a college degree. It only takes two to three months and less than $1,000 to earn your real estate license in Florida.
Here are the steps for earning your real estate license in Florida.
Step 1: Meet these requirements
Here are the basic requirements to become a real estate agent in Florida:
Be at least 18 years old
- Have a U.S. Social Security Number
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
- Noncitizens must have legal residency and a valid Social Security Number.
Step 2: Complete pre-licensing education
Take a 63-hour course from a state-approved real estate school, like Gold Coast Schools. Choose a format that fits your learning style—online, livestream, or in-person.
Step 3: Pass a background check
Get fingerprinted at a LiveScan location or Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Licensing (DBPR) headquarters. Bring two forms of ID. Gold Coast Schools offers fingerprinting services for $83.
Step 4: Submit your license application
Create an account with the Florida DBPR, complete the application, and pay the $39.37 fee. Military members and spouses may qualify for a fee waiver.
Step 5: Pass the real estate exam
Schedule your exam with Pearson Vue for $36.75. The 3.5-hour test requires a 75/100 to pass. Bring two valid IDs and your pre-licensing completion certificate.
Step 6: Join a real estate brokerage
Florida agents must work under a licensed broker. Attend career fairs or network with local brokerages to find the right fit.
Can Medical Assistants Do Real Estate Part-Time?
Yes! Many people do real estate as a side gig. It’s a great side job because you can set your own schedule and work your real estate business on the days you aren’t working as a medical assistant.
Here are a few things to consider if you plan to work in real estate as a part-time gig.
- Be upfront with your brokerage and clients about your schedule. Ensure they understand your availability.
- It may take a while to earn a good income. Many agents work part-time while building a client base and developing skills.
- Consider working as a part of a real estate team. Your team can cover for you should a real estate client have needs while you’re working as a medical assistant.
- If you decide to pivot from medical assistant to real estate agent, have a nest egg to cover several months of expenses, as real estate agents do not earn a regular income.
Real estate is one option that leverages skills like communication, empathy, and problem-solving—skills that medical assistants have. Real estate might be the perfect fit for your next chapter. Start the process of becoming a Florida real estate agent by enrolling with Gold Coast Schools.