The pursuit for ‘more’ is never-ending, be it more money more opportunities for professional growth.Â
Nursing is a highly demanding and rewarding career. Especially in recent years, we have seen a surge in demand for skilled nurses due to an increase in the world’s healthcare needs. However, the nurse’s role is evolving, and career paths aren’t merely limited to the stereotypical assumption people hold about them. They work alongside doctors, but now they specialize in niche areas related to patient care and opt for more managerial and entrepreneurial roles as well.
It can indeed be quite overwhelming and challenging for nurses to broaden their career options at times. It is a demanding job, after all. But at the same time, it can help significantly in the long run. If you’re a nurse looking to advance in your nursing career effectively, you’ll need to know a few things in mind. So, here are six practical ways to help you unlock a broad range of career options in nursing.
Continue your education
Higher education is one of the best areas to invest in if you want to guarantee a prosperous nursing career. You won’t have to waste years trying to broaden your career options through complicated ways that offer low chances of success. Instead, you can simply enroll in a relevant healthcare graduate program and effectively equip yourself with impressive skills and knowledge. Whether it’s nursing or any other career, it’s safe to say that advancing in education is an essential step to move up the professional ladder. Even being certified in ACLS is recommended. You can obtain ACLS certification online for your convenience.
However, choosing the right educational path is also of immense importance, as not all courses may be equally rewarding based on your end goals. It’s essential to enroll in an education program that offers the most benefits, such as those that guarantee high job demand and salaries. Or higher levels of personal satisfaction if that is what you aim for.
Perhaps one of the most in-demand and high paid nurses are public health nurses. So, a bachelor’s degree in public health nursing will significantly help you create more opportunities if you are already an RN. Public health nurses work in various places, such as governmental agencies, nursing homes, and nonprofit organizations. However, continuing education while working as a nurse can indeed be exhausting. In such a situation, enrolling in an online education program from a renowned institution can be the perfect solution. So, if you want to know more about how to become a public health nurse, do your homework and dive straight in. the potential is tremendous!
Network in the workplace
Communicating with other workers in your workplace is essential to grow further in your career and find new job opportunities. In fact, research has shown that around 80% of jobs are earned based on one’s ability to network with other people.
Throughout your nursing career, you will find many healthcare professionals working in the same workplace like yours. By establishing a good relationship with each of these professionals, you can open up a wide range of opportunities for promotion or better jobs previously unavailable to you. For example, your supervisors may recommend you to employers for higher job opportunities, while managers can provide you with information and even give useful advice. So, instead of relying on contacts with strangers for new jobs, you should establish a good network within your workplace.
Join committees
There’s a good chance that your workplace has a committee for nurses, also known as shared governance. Nurses in such committees work together to improve nursing practices in the workplace. They focus on issues related to healthcare and even managerial problems. The group’s core objective is to develop the best solutions to improve the delivery of quality patient care within healthcare facilities.
If you join shared governance, you can gain a lot of work experience while also showing your skills and creative mindset. It’s also an excellent place to show your leadership skills to others. And if paired with a relevant degree in healthcare management, you’re all set to take on more managerial and administrative roles within the healthcare system. Hence, you can impress many people who might offer new jobs or promotions to you. Furthermore, shared governance can also work with other hospitals, opening even more opportunities for you.
Find volunteering opportunities
While working as a nurse, you’ll often notice volunteering opportunities that you should make sure not to miss if you plan on broadening your career options. It may require you to work a few extra hours, but the benefits will be worth it, especially the higher levels of personal satisfaction that comes with such work. You will gain plenty of work experience, while also getting a chance to learn new skills, all for free, unlike in training programs. Moreover, you will also get chances to meet new people, and prove your skills to them, which will inevitably lead to more job opportunities.
Get a mentor
Finding a mentor for yourself is a great way to kick start your nursing career while also guaranteeing a future with a wide range of job opportunities. A mentor can help beginners polish the necessary skills without facing problems, hence, giving them a considerable career boost. Nurses with mentorship are more likely to advance in their careers and find better jobs.
In addition to this, mentors also help reduce nurses’ stress and burden by assisting, leading to higher job satisfaction. According to a report, 87% of mentees say that they have higher confidence and feel empowered due to their mentors.
Work as a travel nurse
It may come as oddball, but availing this unmissable opportunity is not only fun, but you’ll get the chance to gain more diverse work experience. As a result, you will also learn better and develop more unique skills. Employers will be keen to accept you due to such a diverse work experience. Furthermore, you will also find many international job opportunities that are great for career development. Additionally, travel nurses also get the chance to enroll in free training programs, leading to a wide range of job opportunities.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, it’s essential to broaden your career options to achieve professional and personal fulfillment, regardless of your occupation. When it comes to a nursing career, different ways help you gain access to new opportunities. It takes effort, though. So, make sure to consider the methods mentioned above and follow them to have a bright future in nursing.
