Things that can make or break your career

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

I saw this posted in the General section. This is great advice for every potential nurse.

July 1, 2011 - Are you looking to advance in your career or get it off to a great start? Nurse leaders Judith F. Karshmer, Ph.D., APRN, BC, professor and dean of the University of San Francisco School of Nursing, Georgiann Massa, RN, MSN, Cleveland Clinic's senior director of nursing education, and E. Mary Johnson, RN, BSN, NE-BC, a career coach consultant, offer their expert advice for nurses aiming to advance in the profession.

Here are seven points that they've learned can make (or break) your nursing career:

1. Say "Yes." Especially if you are just starting, or perhaps restarting, your career, if an employer asks if you are willing to do something, say "yes."

For example:

Employer: "Are you willing to work nights?"

You: "I'd be happy to start on nights."

Employer: "Can you perform this procedure?"

You: "I would love to learn how."

"Always communicate that you are proactive and willing to take on or learn about whatever your employer is asking of you," advised Karshmer.

"I am currently coaching several women who are restarting their careers after taking a break to raise their kids. One of them was offered a position that requires a 50-minute commute and was wondering whether or not to accept. I told her, 'You need to do that for a year. You aren't going to find your perfect job in the beginning, and what your résumé needs is a current position as an RN,'" stated Johnson.

2. Don't be "above" anything. Johnson advises nurse leaders not to believe their titles. No matter how high you rise in the ranks, you need to remain competent in the job of nursing.

"When a nurse manager knows how to deliver care and is willing to step in and help, he or she will have a loyal staff because they will feel safe and supported," she explained.

3. Avoid negativity: Even though everyone should know better, it bears repeating: never badmouth your previous or current employers or colleagues.

"Most often what gets people into trouble at work isn't their lack of skills, it is their attitude," commented Karshmer. "If you get labeled as someone with a bad attitude, you look untrustworthy and no one will want to work with you."

"Don't assume your colleagues are your friends. Be friendly, but maintain your professionalism. I've seen nurses make the mistake of criticizing the hours or the leadership to a co-worker and having it come back to bite them," Johnson added. "Also, be smart about what you say on social media."

4. Do more than your job. While this can include formal schooling and obtaining certifications, nurses can look for other ways to be involved at work and to pursue life-long learning.

"Go to see a new procedure, read a nursing journal and contribute ideas about what could improve your unit," suggested Johnson.

"Become your unit's expert in something like skin care or diabetes," offered Massa.

"You can do your job well and get good evaluations, but to make a real move forward in your career you need to show that you are someone who cares about the well-being of the institution, in addition to the well-being of patients. Take opportunities to lead discussions, serve on committees, participate in teams that are working to roll out new technologies," encouraged Karshmer.

5. Embrace change. There are always changes in nursing: new medications, new treatments and new technologies.

"It is important to keep up in your area of expertise and to be very knowledgeable about the care you deliver," Massa said.

"Always have the attitude that change is easy and you are comfortable with change," advised Karshmer. "This attitude will impress employers and is a beneficial outlook on your career as a whole; keep looking towards what can be and not what was."

6. Honor confidences. Knowing you can be trusted will strengthen your relationships with both patients and colleagues.

"One thing nurses must do is keep in confidence those things that need to be kept in confidence and to strive to meet HIPPA requirements and share information only with the appropriate people," Massa cautioned.

7. Be proactive about your career path. Whether you utilize a formal career coach or a mentor, these leaders can help you discern your gifts and passions and map out your career path.

"In nursing you have so many avenues open to you--it is full of interest and new knowledge and wonderful opportunities," Massa exuded. "We need to recognize our own skills and passions. There are so many diverse directions you can go in nursing. Each time you get a degree it opens more doors in a very worthwhile and worthy profession.

"Professionals have coaches, amateurs do not," Johnson pointed out. "Working with a career coach is a gift you give yourself."