Career Development for Nurses: How to Create a Roadmap for Success

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The pandemic laid bare the shortcomings of an already overburdened healthcare industry with labor shortages and failing infrastructure. Thankfully, the nursing sector has shown resilience. 

Healthcare workers such as nurses realize there’s a world beyond hospital beds and sick patients. Career opportunities are becoming more accessible for newly qualified nurses. They are furthering their careers by implementing diverse developmental strategies that are actionable and relevant.

In this article, we’ll outline how nurses can create a strategic roadmap for career success.

Understand Your Career Goals

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It takes a certain type of person to become a nurse. Empathy, problem-solving and conflict resolution are the basics for studying a nursing degree. With that said, these soft skills can become engrained into your DNA over time.

Just as important are your career goals. What are you wanting to achieve by choosing a career in nursing? Have you set short-term and long-term objectives? If you’re able to answer these questions, the next step is to assess your capabilities and weaknesses.

Identify your Passion

Nursing can be a rewarding career. Some people love making a profound impact on the lives of others. It brings them a sense of belonging and appreciation. 

Many people tend to choose nursing as a second career solely for the reason that they don’t feel fulfilled in their current job. If you have transferable skills, making the transition can be easier than you thought. 

Set Achievable Milestones

Drawing up a 10-year plan does sound tempting, but it can be overwhelming when looking back at the goalposts. Start with outlining realistic milestones and give yourself a reasonable timeline to complete them, considering your current workload and responsibilities.  These can include some of the following:

• Outlining steps to enhance your skills and knowledge

• Updating your resume

• Researching specific online courses, certifications, and advanced degrees

Financial Plan

Depending on which pathway you choose to obtain your nursing qualification, budget plays a pivotal role. Don’t fall into the trap of sitting with huge financial debt once you start studying. It will only create unnecessary anxiety. 

When drawing up your financial objectives, be sure to include a savings target, investment strategies and a student loan reduction plan.

Career Paths in Nursing

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A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can open countless opportunities in the nursing profession for nursing students. Many registered nurses choose to specialize in a specific field and go on to study further.

Clinical Roles

Nurses in clinical roles treat patients and are in direct patient care. This often includes direct and ongoing treatment. 

A registered nurse (RN) is a perfect example of a clinical role. They assume the primary responsibility for patients and serve as the patient’s regular healthcare provider. Licensed practical nurses (LPN) assist with the implementation of the care plan assigned by the RN. Other clinical roles in nursing include licensed surgical nurse, surgical assistant and nurse practitioner.

Non-Clinical Roles

Non-clinical roles are often office or lab-based. That’s not to say nurses in these positions don’t interact with patients. They just don’t provide any type of medical care, treatment or testing, says Very Well Health.

These roles are not confined to medical writers, medical-legal consultants and patient advocates.

Specialized Roles

Registered nurses make a decent salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage for an RN was $86,000 in 2023. For those working in private facilities and government organizations, the figure shot up to $99,000.

Nurses with a BSN degree often gravitate to specialized areas in healthcare, not only because of the salary but also because of job security. In-demand roles include the following:

• Charge nurse

• Emergency nurse

• ICU nurse

• Oncology nurse

Know the Educational Requirements

The thought of going back to school is a daunting prospect. Some people struggle to reintegrate into campus life or studies which can make nursing school hard at first. Thankfully, tertiary education options come in many forms such as online learning, distance learning and on-site training.

Like any other field of study, nursing school difficulty does present some overwhelming challenges. Below, we’ll explore the types of degrees on offer when choosing a nursing education.

Reviewing Current Qualifications

There are various pathways to obtaining a nursing qualification. Depending on where you are in your career, it could be a matter of enrolling for a BSN degree which could take up to four years to complete.

The BSN is a required prerequisite for all graduate nursing programs, according to Online ABSN Programs. The degree is a stepping stone for Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

An Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) typically takes two years to complete. Like the BSN, ADN programs prepare graduates to become RNs. ADNs require the additional completion of an RN-BSN program to acquire a BSN qualification.

Value of a BSN Degree

The job prospects for BSN holders are positive. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) says about 70% of employers are more open to employee BSN graduates. And, the job placement rate is about 96% for entry-level jobs for nurses holding a BSN.

The degree also prepares graduates for real-world situations where they will need the following skills:

• Critical Thinking

• Case Management

• Leadership

Other Nursing Qualifications

Vocational nursing certificates are another way of entering the profession if you aren’t able to take the degree route. You could become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) by obtaining a practical nursing certificate. Forbes Advisor says that in some states,  the role is called licensed vocational nurse (LVN).

There’s lots of scope for LPNs and LVNs. They take patients’ vitals, administer medication, and collect samples.

Accelerated BSN Programs

Accelerated programs are an option for those who want to transition from their career into the nursing sector. There are certain requirements, including having a degree in a non-nursing field. Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs can take one to two years to complete.

Building Your Skills

Clinical skills such as administering medication or inserting an IV drip are the technical side of nursing. It’s just as important to gain soft skills that enable you to be the best at your job. As with any other field, you need to stay abreast of current trends in the medical field. By doing this, you can attend conferences and workshops.

Nebraska Medicine recommends the following soft skills to include in your nursing toolbox:

• Effective communication with patients and staff

• Empathy

• Emotional intelligence

• Teamwork

• Problem-solving

Importance of Networking

Besides obtaining clinical and soft skills, networking has proven to be an effective tool for gaining valuable information from industry peers and mentors. Establishing relationships at the beginning of your career can help in furthering it as well. 

There are other advantages to networking. Nursa says all healthcare workers should put themselves out there to build relationships, collaborate on projects and share best clinical practices.

Navigating Your Career Transition

Everyone starts a job with the best intentions. Sometimes, life happens and you have to take a step back and reevaluate your situation. Giving in doesn’t mean giving up. With a clear head and a new degree, now’s the time to start your next journey of your career.

How to Craft a Standout Resume

Nursing recruiters receive hundreds of resumes for every job they advertise. It may sound impossible but there are ways to make your job application stand out. 

Resume experts all agree that the fierce job market has forced job seekers to become creative. For instance, the same old CV is not going to improve your chances of getting the job. Indeed’s Bill Richards tells Cosmopolitan that you must tailor every resume for the role you’re applying for.  Be clear and concise to remain relevant. Highlight the skills most fitting to the role.

HealtheCareers advises to include the following section in your resume:

• Professional summary

• Licenses and certifications

• Professional experience

• Education

• Skills

• Awards

• Professional memberships

Job Search Tools

From recruitment agencies to job posting boards, there are several ways of exploring new roles available to nursing staff. Once again, networking can give you the edge. Join a professional nursing association, and attend conferences and events within the medical community.

Preparing for an Interview

Don’t think the hard work ends after bagging an interview. Before even stepping into the interview room, you have to be prepared. Carefully research the employer and see if their goals align with yours. 

Read through the job description and compose mock questions based on the requirements. During the actual interview process, make sure to demonstrate your skills and your willingness to take on a new role following your career change.

Healthy Work-Life Balance

The National Library of Medicine (NIH) published a study in 2023 on burnout rates among healthcare workers in New York City during the pandemic. The findings showed that nurses and physicians were highly prone to burnout before the pandemic. The CDC stated that COVID-19 exacerbated problems that were already present in the health sector.

Managing Stress and Burnout

Advancing your career can sometimes take priority over other things and cloud your better judgment. This is when stress and burnout occur. It’s important to protect your emotional and mental health when you feel overwhelmed.

Draw up a weekly calendar and pencil in your free time, whether it’s going to the park with the kids or doing date night with your partner. Without realizing it, the calendar will ensure you have boundaries in place to maintain a proper work-life balance.

Managing your time effectively can be a lifesaver. Many nurses opt to work 12-hour clinical rotations to get more time off, but you need to take a balanced approach. Is it worth the detriment to your circadian rhythms by rotating night shifts?

Self-Care

Nurses are the biggest advocates for self-care, and yet hardly put it into practice. Self-care is a holistic approach to taking care of your physical and mental well-being. To provide the best possible treatment to patients, nurses too need to be in a good frame of mind.

Evaluating Your Career Roadmap

Whether you’re a nursing student or a nurse transitioning into another field, it’s vital that you continually reevaluate and adjust your roadmap. It forms the basis for your long-term professional goals.

Keep your eye on the big prize. Remember, there are different pathways to career success. Always be open to furthering your education. Define your goals and monitor your progress.

Allow colleagues and managers to mentor you. It’s a hands-on approach to getting on-the-job training. Make sure you have a strong support system, at home and work, to prevent burnout and workplace stress. Always prioritize your well-being by putting boundaries in place and spending quality time with your family.