Nursing is probably one of the most fulfilling career paths that someone can take, especially those who want to work in the medical profession. This profession provides various benefits, such as high salaries, flexibility, and job security. Therefore, pursuing a nursing career may be the perfect option for you if you want to make a difference in the lives of others. In fact, nurses perform their duties in various settings, schools, universities, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, clinics, and hospitals.
While landing your first nursing position may be difficult, you can improve your chances of finding work by focusing on a few fundamental abilities every nurse should possess. While being a registered nurse gives you access to various employment options, the chances are virtually limitless once you refine your nursing abilities and list some of them on your CV. In light of this, listed below are a few tips that nurses should follow to take their careers to the next level.
Invest in Education
The nursing profession requires individuals to stay informed about the most recent medical advances, treatment methods, and procedures. They must always remain on top of their game to carry out their jobs efficiently because they are frontline soldiers and the first healthcare providers that patients will likely see at a healthcare facility. Therefore, continuing education is essential to being a must-hire nurse in today’s cutthroat healthcare environment.
One way to do this is by investing time and money in online educational programs and resources. All you have to do is go online and perform a quick Google search. For example, given the variety of possibilities available, ambitious nurses can search for affordable rn to bsn online programs.
After selecting the program or degree that fulfills your budget and professional requirements, you can enroll in one to continue your post-graduate education while gaining the skills and information you need to stand out from the competition.
Always Advocate for Patient Safety
A workplace environment known as a “culture of safety” keeps patient safety at the top of the priority list. This type of workplace environment can be produced directly from the interplay between employee behaviors, perceptions of patient safety, attitudes, and organizational frameworks.
After all, healthcare facilities without a safe work culture are more prone to make mistakes when providing patient care. In fact, numerous studies have found that a workplace without a “culture of safety” culture can lead to a large number of treatment and medication errors.
However, keeping the healthcare team patient-centered while preventing harm from medication and treatment errors calls for an efficient approach. Here nurses take center stage. Nurses who give patients direct treatment must also be always watchful and cautious of patient safety.
Since patient safety and prioritizing patient needs over your own are the main goals of advocacy, you, as a nurse, must remain vigilant and detect any flaws or mistakes in patient care. Ultimately, nurses achieving this feat are typically valued across the health industry.
Become More Resilient
Nursing is quite physically, psychologically, and emotionally taxing by nature. Additionally, most nurses find daily obligations too great and leave the profession entirely due to burnout. However, having great resilience helps nurses manage workplace challenges in even the worst situations.
Numerous studies have found that nurses with high levels of resilience are less likely to experience stress disorders and are also more likely to stay in the nursing field. Ultimately, healthcare facility owners and the nursing profession value nurses with excellent stress-coping skills and resilience. A few characteristics of resilient nurses include the ability to:
- Positively adapt to circumstances and thrive during change
- manage emotions adequately
- Stay detached from victim mentality and negative patient reactions
- Express feelings honestly
- Display optimism
- Turn misfortune into something positive
- Remain confident at all times
- Display a good sense of humor
Be Compassionate/ Empathetic
The word “compassion” originated from the Latin verb “to suffer with.” Nursing is about showing compassion to patients dealing with physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual problems. In fact, this is probably one of the topmost skills that every excellent nurse must possess to excel in their profession.
Additionally, many people think that compassion and empathy are essential for nurses since they serve as your anchor as you pursue success in this great profession.
Furthermore, senior healthcare CEOs and executives agree that patients are happier and more pleased when nurses demonstrate empathy and compassion in their caregiving responsibilities. Doing so boosts job satisfaction, reduces workplace stress, and fosters a stronger feeling of teamwork.
In the end, the two nursing qualities that most employers look for in nurses are compassion and empathy for patients.
Improve Your Communication Skills
Everyday tasks for a nurse include interacting with sick, hurting, and nervous patients and offering them medical assistance and emotional, psychological, and mental support. Nurses must also inform patients and their loved ones about medication, diagnoses, treatments, and procedures.
Additionally, they also offer assistance and care to those who may have trouble communicating due to visual impairments, language barriers, etc. They must also represent patients when their doctor’s goals for care and treatment may conflict.
Nurses must also collaborate with coworkers and managers to resolve organizational and operational issues while writing care instructions, proposals, and research papers.
Therefore, to excel in nursing, regardless of your chosen nursing position, you must improve your writing and verbal communication abilities. Not to mention that doing so will significantly increase your chances of landing a job in a recognized healthcare clinic or hospital.
Take Advantage of Various Healthcare Organizations
Joining a professional healthcare organization is an easy way to give your nursing career the push it needs. These memberships will allow you to learn about the nursing industry from other experts while establishing useful contacts you most likely won’t be able to make elsewhere. That said, when it comes to choosing which healthcare organization to join, you have an abundance of options to choose from.
For example, you can join American Nurses Association to take advantage of several benefits for nurses, including;
- Collaborate and interact with other RNs for advice, guidance, and support
- Save a ton of cash when applying for certification, Continuing Education (CE) opportunities, etc
- Remain updated with the newest nursing techniques and latest development in the healthcare sector
- Free webinars and resources to give your career a boost
The Final Words
If you are passionate about helping people and interested in advancing your career in nursing, this article offers useful tips to help you achieve your goals. However, it is essential to clearly understand the responsibilities, roles, and requirements of becoming a nurse before embarking on this career path. Doing so will make your journey to the top of the nursing mountain much easier.