There are some career pathways that are considered more of a life’s vocation, more than merely a job to pay the bills, and becoming a fully registered and qualified nurse is certainly one of them.
So, whether you are currently working in a specific field of nursing and want to progress within said specialism or you are interested in moving to an entirely new area of nursing in the future, either way this article is for you.
Here is how to advance your career in nursing to the next stage whichever direction that might be.
Pursue a Completion Program Online
As a registered nurse and, therefore, a professional already practicing in the field of nursing, you may well have considered pursuing higher education in the past but felt as if you would have been unable to devote the time necessary for success.
However, a fantastic option would be to study for a supportive Bachelor of Science degree in nursing completion program, specifically accelerated for professionally registered nurses, and choose to take the entire online rn to bsn course online.
Engage in Effective Networking
Another hugely beneficial change to how you approach your career and, more specifically, your plans for career progression is to start to take the proverbial bull from the horns and look to expand your book of contacts.
The best way to do this is to join of the many respected nursing organizations and attend networking events in your local area, where the room will be full of passionate, ambitious, and dedicated nurses just like you. This will mean you will be introduced to new contacts and even learn of the latest advancements in both nursing theory and nursing practice from those ‘in the know’.
The most popular nursing organizations in the US include the following:
- National League for Nursing
- National Association of Hispanic Nurses
- American Nurses Association
- International Council of Nurses
- National Black Nurses Association
Actively Search for a Personal Mentor
The third most positive choice to make if you are serious about and dedicated to furthering your career in nursing is to find a trusted and knowledgeable nursing mentor.
The guidance alone that your nursing mentor will provide could prove invaluable and it is always worth finding out whether or not your current place of employment has their own internal mentorship program or perhaps access to an external one.
There are two main overarching targets associated with the role of a nursing mentor, each one as important as the next. Firstly, your mentor should be able to offer you academic advice and help you find the most pertinent courses and programs to your future goals, and secondly, they should be able to offer comprehensive clinical care support.
Your professional nursing mentor needs to be a good listener, willing and able to work through your professional strengths and weaknesses (and helping you to improve the latter), and always reliable in keeping appointments or sending that e-mail they said they would.
