As a nurse, you are habitual of taking care of others and ensuring their comfort. Often you forget your own need to develop yourself personally and professionally. A nurse’s busy schedule seldom allows them to attend personal development classes. So, what is left for the staff to do in the hospital? The obvious answer is getting an advanced degree in nursing. Even if you have a busy work schedule, have a family to manage, and have personal engagements to attend to, you cannot ignore your professional development.

Reasons for developing your career

In the case of nursing, developing your career translates into getting higher pay, a better job with more responsibility. With a higher position in the hierarchy, you have more autonomy and control to make decisions. Moreover, you can pursue new job roles; for instance, get into management and teaching positions. Those nurses who excel in their careers are also more likely to be satisfied with their jobs. They are happier at work, so they are less likely to burn out.

But the story does not end here; career advancement is also important if you want to continue providing better care to your patients. Diseases are evolving, and new viruses are hovering over the earth. You cannot assume to fend off such illness with the knowledge that is no longer applicable.

Now the question is, how does getting an advanced degree advance your career? The answer is very simple. A better educational qualification means you have the most advanced knowledge of diseases, the human systems, prevention and control, and patient safety. Today, nursing programs prepare nurses to take on leadership roles and deal with emergencies like the 2019 pandemic.

For nurses, enrolling in an online RN to BSN program and MSN program is of greater interest. The online programs help them practice in the hospital and manage kids and families at home. So, getting advanced degrees has become much easier today. So far, we know that one way to advance your career is to get a new degree. But there are other ways too. Let’s get to know them now.

Finding a mentor

A nurse’s job is very complicated, especially for new entrants. They are not familiar with procedures and various healthcare systems. In this situation, a mentor helps you pass through these hurdles and excel in your career. 

Besides, the problems one faces in a day-to-day office job are quite different from what a nurse faces in a day. There are new challenges each day, so finding someone you can consult and ask for advice helps you make fewer mistakes. Mentors are often very experienced, so they have gone through the current stages of your career. You can learn from their experience and avoid wasting time making the same slip-ups.

A mentor can greatly assist you in making the right career choices. They can help you decide which specializations are in demand, what educational paths to choose, what options are more lucrative. With the right advice, you have more chances of growing your career. Additionally, a mentor has a wider network of professionals, not limited to your hospital only. They can help you connect with these professionals and network with the right people to boost your career.

Earn a nursing certification

A nurse can have more than one nursing specialization certification and work in one specialty department. So, earning a new certificate is a surefire way to advance your nursing career. 

Narrowing your focus to a few specializations can increase your expertise in one area where you might be considered an authority. However, it is important to ensure the certification is from a reputable organization. You can also consult your certification choice with your mentor if you have one. 

Obtaining credentials in cardiac surgery (CSC), dialysis (CDN), gastroenterology (CGRN), adult critical care (CCRN), and many more can increase your depth of expertise. In addition to clinical roles, you can also earn certifications that qualify you for administrative positions. A couple of these organizations are the American Organization for Nurse Leadership (AONL) and the American College of Healthcare Executives Nurses.

Join a professional organization

Another way to grow your career is by joining a professional nursing organization. Here you can meet like-minded people, network with them, share your ideas. As a result of such meet-ups, people often get approached by good hospitals, and healthcare clinics often get in touch. Developing connections outside your work is very important to let the people know that you exist. 

As an affiliate of a professional organization, you often get discounts to attend professional conferences and seminars. Often these organizations sponsor educational programs when members want to pursue higher education.

Upskill yourself

Upskilling yourself with employability skills also helps you advance your career. These skills are often known as soft skills. They include communication skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, teamwork and management skills, and leadership skills. In the case of communication skills, it includes verbal and nonverbal skills, active listening, and negotiation.

Employers look for these skills in their employees to maintain their competitive edge over others. Many hospitals are even coaching their current staff to develop these employability skills. So, if you want to present yourself as a better candidate and put a leg up over other candidates in your field, it is better to develop soft skills.

Conclusion

Developing your nursing career is extremely important, not just for your personal development but also for your patients’ benefit. Patients want the services of skilled professionals who are aware of using the most sophisticated healthcare technologies and depend on research-based practices for patient care. 

One way to progress in your career is by earning an advanced degree. But you can also excel in your job by making an in-demand specialization or getting into professional organizations. Many nurses vouch for the importance of developing a professional network outside the workplace in advancing one’s career. It can help you identify opportunities you never knew about before.