Do you have aspirations to take your nursing career to the next level? Many nurses are ambitious and look to climb the ladder so that they can make a bigger difference, achieve a sense of accomplishment and, of course, earn more money. One of the great benefits of nursing is that there are so many areas and career paths to follow, so there are always options and ways for you to take the next step in your career. It can also be difficult, so keep reading for a few pieces of advice that should help you to take your career to the next level.
1. Step Up Your Performance
In a field like nursing, you will never progress simply by turning up to work each day. You need to give it your all every single day and make sure that you are a valuable asset to the healthcare facility. This might involve improving your bedside manner, supporting your fellow nurses and other healthcare workers, or simply coming into work with a more positive attitude. This will help you to stand out for the right reasons and help you to develop a positive reputation. Additionally, you should identify what your weaknesses are and turn these into strengths.
2. Find A Mentor
Nursing can be a challenging, competitive, and sometimes bureaucratic field. This can make it daunting to navigate, which is why it is helpful to have a mentor that can offer career advice and guidance. A mentor can help you to avoid making common mistakes, find ways to improve your abilities, and open new doors for you to advance your career. Additionally, having a senior and experienced figure in your corner can also do a lot in terms of confidence and emotional support.
3. Be A Team Player
When it comes to nursing – and healthcare as a whole – you need to be a team player in order to progress your career. There will always be those that are self-serving, but these people will not be supported by their colleagues, and this can hold them back. Instead, when you are a team player, you can build strong bonds, develop a positive reputation and also get support when you need it (and you will need it). Try to maintain positive relationships with your fellow nurses, and it will make a big difference when it comes to progressing your career.
4. Speak To Your Boss
In order to climb the ladder, you need to make your intentions known and speak to your boss. They will be able to advise you on what you need to do to take the next step in your career and will be able to put your name forward when the right opportunity arises. Additionally, it is important that they are aware that you are ambitious and might start to look elsewhere if opportunities do not arise internally.
5. Look Around
Following on from this, sometimes you will need to move in order to climb the ladder. It is not always easy, especially when you have made friends and have happy memories, but moving to a new facility or even a new city is sometimes needed and can help you to advance much faster. The nursing shortage means that there is demand everywhere, and it should not be too hard to find work wherever you go, so it is always worthwhile keeping an eye on what opportunities are out there.
6. Earn Additional Qualifications
In healthcare, one of the most effective ways to take the next step in your career is with additional qualifications. For nurses that want to rise to leadership positions, Baylor University Online offers entirely online DNP executive nurse leadership programs that will prepare them for roles in leadership. Completing this online course will bolster your resume and give you the knowledge and skills needed to affect change at the highest level and become a healthcare leader.
7. Track Your Accomplishments
As with any field, it is always smart to track your accomplishments over the course of your career. Not only does this make it much easier to promote yourself during interviews, but it also allows you to reflect and increase your confidence. Consider all of the big and small accomplishments that you have made over the course of your career to date and keep a running record of these.
8. Stay Current
One of the biggest challenges in nursing is that it is constantly going through change. New practices, technological developments, societal pressures, and trends are constantly changing the way in which nurses work each day. In order to advance your career, you need to stay current with all of these changes. You can do this by attending events, networking, reading journals, reading blogs, listening to podcasts, and by using social media. Not only will this help you to stay current, but it will also be helpful in terms of showing your commitment to your field.
9. Look After Yourself
Finally, you need to make sure that you are looking after yourself. Burnout is a common problem in nursing, especially during COVID-19, which not only can impact your performance but also your personal life and general wellbeing. While nursing is demanding, you need to make the most of your time off and find ways to put work out of your mind. You also need to make sure that you are leading a healthy lifestyle, including trying to get enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising. Spending time with loved ones and having hobbies that you enjoy can also make a huge difference to your well-being.
Hopefully, the advice in this post will come in useful and give you a few ideas for ways that you can take your nursing career to the next level. There is always room for progression in nursing and the ability to make a bigger difference and earn more money, but moving up is not always easy, and you need to know what areas you should be focusing on.
