Nursing is arguably one of the most lucrative vocations in the US. It’s estimated that the demand for RNs will grow by 6% each year this decade. Nurses were also recently voted the most trusted professionals for twenty years in a row. These facts indicate that nursing can be the right job for you in the healthcare industry.
If you want to advance your career in nursing, here’s what you need to know:
How to enjoy a successful nursing career?
What does it mean to have a “prolific career” in nursing? It refers to advancing your career, laying your hands on leadership positions, and getting a quick promotion within your organization. You can easily improve your career advancement options by following the tips below.
1. Never stop learning
Continued education isn’t just a choice anymore; it’s become a necessity for ambitious nurses. You can pursue distance learning programs to enhance your know-how in nursing. For instance, many nurses wish to obtain a doctorate. Are you familiar with this degree’s earning potential? Discover the doctorate of nurse practitioner salary before pursuing this academic credential. A doctorate is the highest qualification you can receive. A nurse can easily advance their career by getting a DNP. This degree can make RNs eligible for any employment opportunities in nursing.
2. Develop soft skills
Formal learning isn’t enough for nurses; they must also work on their soft skills. Nurses must become effective communicators to deal easily with patients. Work on your interpersonal skills as well if you wish to help your patients. Moreover, time management is a crucial skill you should learn to create a healthy work-life balance.
3. Always stay positive
Nursing careers aren’t always joyful, and losing patients can easily make RNs depressed. Research shows that 53.9% of nurses suffer from stress after losing a patient. You can overcome a feeling of helplessness by keeping a positive attitude. Stay positive about the recovery chances of a patient. Negativity can spread faster than positivity, so never let it overpower your courage.
4. Read research work
Update your nursing knowledge by reading some research work. You can easily enhance your know-how in nursing and become more familiar with the latest developments in this field. Subscribe to online nursing journals and read more medical magazines. Honing your knowledge this way will be helpful for your career advancement efforts.
5. Collaborate with colleagues
Healthcare professionals should realize that career advancement requires collaborating with peers. You must gain their trust and become friends and confidants to gain promotions. Winning their trust won’t just help you network, but it will also improve your leadership skills. Turn into a nurse other nurses can trust. Help out your colleagues as much as possible to win them over.
6. Focus on self-care
Are you neglecting your self-care? Nurses are underpaid, overworked, and in a fierce battle with the coronavirus. However, exhausting yourself mentally and physically isn’t the right method of success in the health industry. You have to cater to your well-being as well. It’s believed that 38% of nurses suffer from burnout. RNs can overcome their declining mental health by focusing on self-care. Sleep properly, exercise regularly, and consume nutritious food to stay healthy.
7. Be more empathetic
Some of the crucial abilities nurses should possess include the following: empathy, kindness, and emotional intelligence. These skills make RNs capable of treating patients. Without empathy, you can’t become a successful healthcare practitioner. So, become more kindhearted to advance your career.
How can you become more considerate? Imagine yourself in your patient’s shoes sometimes and try to see things from their perspective. Your kindness mustn’t stay limited to your patients; extend it to their family members.
8. Network with peers
Networking is important in all professions today, and nurses shouldn’t neglect this important skill. Networking helps you mingle with your peers and create meaningful professional connections that’ll help you advance your career. Many nurses start to network as students. That’s how you can step into the professional world with well-built connections. However, it’s never late for you to attain online learning to get connected!
9. Empower your patients
Everyone knows that nurses are trusted more than doctors (though doctors are still pretty higher on the list). It’s simply because nurses spend more time with patients than physicians can! A doctor will spend 17 minutes on average with one patient. On the other hand, nurses will spend 40% to 70% of their entire shifts interacting directly with patients. So they can advance their careers by educating and empowering their patients. Attend to their needs carefully and listen to their problems.
10. Continuously radiate professionalism
Remember that you represent your profession wherever you go, and committing to professionalism improves your chances of success in nursing. So, communicate (verbally or non-verbally) with others while radiating a stringent adherence to your vocation. Never forget that you’re a nurse first, so love your job, and that’s how employers notice you for future promotions. This commitment to your job becomes even more important when you’re in the hospital because patients dislike unprofessional nurses. Patients respect RNs who are always professional and treat others with respect. A nurse’s devotion to this occupation is what employers observe for choosing potential leaders.
Conclusion
Nurses can enjoy a prolific career in the healthcare sector by following the tips stated in this blog. It all starts with updating your knowledge and becoming well-versed with all new bits of research in healthcare. Develop the requisite soft skills for a strong nursing career and collaborate with your colleagues. Network with other industry members and focus on self-care. Always remain professional and speak on your patients’ behalf. You have to empower and educate your patients. That’s how you become a prolific career nurse. But, most importantly, focus on furthering your education. Higher education will help you easily advance your career.
