Preparing for Nursing Career Transitions
Published: 24 June 2020
Published: 24 June 2020
In order to prepare for any transitions that may occur, the thoughtful 21st-century nurse will engage in constant consideration and updating of their personal brand and identity while bearing in mind their own needs and desires.
It’s been stated by scientists, cosmologists and philosophers that the only true constant in the universe is change. In a nursing career, change is easy to come by for a nurse who craves novelty, gets bored easily or wants exposure to new experiences. Nursing and healthcare can also be fickle, with corporate mergers, downsizing, understaffing and other issues that move nurses from one position or facility to another.
For the nurse who wants a career that’s varied, interesting and able to hold their attention and imagination for the long term, being prepared for change is prudent, whether that change is triggered by intrinsic or extrinsic factors.
Meanwhile, healthcare itself is unpredictable and subject to ongoing evolution. In the 21st century, the pace of technological innovation is exponential and the savvy nurse must keep up with developments in software (e.g. electronic medical records), hardware (e.g. pumps, surgical instruments, new clinical interfaces), new medications and countless other moving parts.
Even the job search process changes with time. Years ago, a nurse could walk into a hospital and get hired with very little effort or fuss. Now, competition is high, certifications and advanced degrees are highly prized and those who don’t evolve can easily get left behind.
Nurses who want to stay relevant must keep their finger on the pulse of change within the profession and the healthcare industry itself. Strategies for staying up to date include:
Nurses and healthcare professionals who rest on their laurels and resist change will lose relevancy over time; this is the consequence of inability or refusal to grow with the times.
Nurses who keep their finger on the pulse of their profession and the healthcare industry will fare better, especially if they also make sure the professional path they choose complements and empowers the life they truly want to live and the nurse they aspire to become.
Keith Carlson, RN, BSN, NC-BC, is a holistic career coach for nurses, award-winning nurse blogger, writer, podcaster, speaker, author, and popular career columnist. With two decades of nursing experience, Keith deeply understands the issues faced by 21st-century nurses. Keith’s two podcasts, RNFM Radio and The Nurse Keith Show, offer inspiration and practical support to nurses seeking to create meaningful, satisfying lives and careers. Keith’s message of savvy career management and professional satisfaction reaches tens of thousands of nurses worldwide. Keith can be found on many social media platforms---including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Instagram - as well as at www.nursekeith.com and Digital Doorway. See Educator Profile