Choosing to be a nurse is a great way to make a living, and you’ll feel good at the end of the day, knowing you’re helping others. You may be hesitant to begin your professional journey in the healthcare field because you don’t know where to start.
Be glad to know there are specific ways that you can take control of and advance your nursing career so you can be successful in the long run. It’ll take hard work, dedication, and perseverance on your part, but after a while, of giving it your all, you’ll soon find yourself soaring to new heights with your professional endeavors.
Invest in Your Education
You must be willing to invest heavily in your education if you want to take control of and advance your nursing career. A good place to start is to register for an accelerated 1-year bsn online, so you can earn your nursing degree and transition into working in the field quickly. The more educated you are in your area of study, the more opportunities and options there will be for you to get ahead. You will have a strong resume when you invest in your education, and it’ll show potential employers that you’re fully committed to working as a nurse and advancing your career. When you have the right skills and knowledge about how to do your job, you will perform better in the workplace and be able to outshine the competition.
Expand Your Network of Contacts
It’s also a wise idea to build and utilize your networks as you work on creating a stable and rewarding career for yourself. Be proactive and go out and meet new people who work in healthcare and may be able to offer you some additional advice about how to take control of and advance your nursing career. You never know who you’ll meet that will be able to assist you in finding new and better job openings and opportunities. Always follow up and stay in touch with those you encounter in one day, because you may need or want to get in touch with this person regarding your career path.
Join relevant organizations, go to networking events, and interact with people outside of your specific department to help you achieve this goal. It’s not only going to allow you to grow your network of contacts, but you will also be exposed to new ideas in the process and will be expanding your own knowledge through these engagements with others. Consider finding someone among the group to mentor you as well, so you have the best possible chance of staying on track with your professional goals and have someone to bounce ideas off.
Be Professional & Ethical in all Interactions
You’re going to get a lot further with your nursing career when you can build trust among your colleagues and patients. It’s important to be ethical and professional in all your interactions, so you’re viewed as a competent and responsible individual. As a nurse, you must maintain confidentiality when it’s required of you, and you follow the industry regulations and safety protocols. You’ll find that you excel in your job a lot quicker when you play by the rules and don’t try to cut corners. Remember, people will always watch your conduct inside and out of the workplace; it is best to act appropriately and maturely in all situations. Try to keep a positive attitude as well and not let mistakes you make frustrate you, but instead use them as learning opportunities to better yourself going forward.
Commit to Continuous Personal & Professional Development
In addition to formal learning and education, it’s also in your best interest to be eager to learn throughout your nursing career. Therefore, commit to continuous personal and professional development to help you grow your skills as an individual and healthcare worker. For example, brushing up on your communication skills and knowing how to actively listen and get your points across clearly will be beneficial to you on the job. Also, improve your leadership skills and abilities whenever possible if you want to truly progress in your career and take on higher-level positions down the road. Take classes or courses in your free time or see if your employer will support you in attending a related conference or seminar.
Set Career Goals
Take control of and advance your nursing career by regularly setting career goals for yourself. If you’re not working toward a new objective always, then you’re likely to get comfortable in one place and not progress in your role. Therefore, get in the habit of establishing fresh goals for what it is you wish to achieve in your professional life so you can continue to develop your skills and abilities.
Use your performance review meetings as a chance to review what you’ve been able to accomplish thus far and outline what responsibilities you still want to be able to take on in the following year. It’s important that your boss and employer witnesses you are setting goals, reaching them, and then going after even more challenging objectives in the future. This will show that you’re serious and dedicated to advancing your nursing career, and you’re likely to be rewarded for it.
Conclusion
Being a nurse and working in healthcare can be both a gratifying and demanding experience. If you want to continue to evolve in your role over the years, then you must take these steps to regain control of and advance your career. You must avoid getting caught up in the politics of it all and comparing yourself to others. Focus on what you have to offer and ways that you can stand out among the crowd. Seek out working environments that are supportive of you wanting to develop your skills, and that promote professional development. Most importantly, never stop fighting for and going after what it is you want to do with your time and talents.
