Nursing is a crucial sector of society as it is the first order of healthcare that addresses patients. Nurses are responsible for dealing with almost every patient and taking care of their health and medication to ensure a quick recovery.
The first step towards a nursing career is to get registered by completing a diploma, after which there are many career paths to take.
Career development is very important for most nurses as it helps them achieve their ambitions, create an impact on their environment, and earn a competitive salary Moreover, many recruiters also require MSN degrees. One route for this is to enroll in an online RN to Master of Science in Nursing program.
With that said, the following are a few tips to help nurses climb the ladder of success in their careers.
- Certified BSN programs (Online):
There are several online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs designed for registered nurses (RN) who have already completed the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
In addition, the classes online require no clinical work, and these programs are shorter than the traditional BSN programs.
These programs can be completed between one to two years, depending upon the individual’s speed. Moreover, nurses must work while part of the program, which significantly increases their experience and sharpens their skills.
Many online programs are accredited by two main bodies, namely The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
These degrees ensure the quality of education, so hospitals do not have to worry about the competency of the nurses they hire. Also it is important for nurses to know the Diverse People That Built Our History and culture.
In contrast, nurses can join any CCNE accredited online RN to BSN programs to develop a better career.
- Networking with experts:
In contrast with a standard 9 to 5 job, nursing is a profession in which workers get to experience bizarre incidents.
Therefore, nurses must connect with their seniors and experts and learn about their adventures to prepare for future events.
It is beneficial to learn about how your seniors faced issues and dealt with them and how you would be expected to face similar circumstances.
On top of that, mentors can also help find a good job, provide a personal reference, and help to connect with their network.
As most nursing organizations provide a mentoring program, it would be beneficial to search for it.
If, however, there is none, you can reach out to social media pages or talk with your friends who could introduce you to these programs.
Once part of these groups, be sure to leverage the opportunity and do your best to find a good mentor, talk to people and seek guidance for the future.
- Specialization certificate:
Earning a specialization helps a lot in employment opportunities. In nursing, there are various fields, and each of them has a different domain.
For example, Critical Care Nurse (CCN) for adult critical care and Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) for dialysis.
Earning these certificates boosts your career opportunities, helps you gain experience, and polishes your skills. Often these certificates can be completed while being employed.
As registered nurses already have clinical experience, completing these certificates is not a practice, but its opportunities are great.
Many recruiters have a list of certificates required to pursue a career at their company.
- Ambition and expression:
Thinking about advancing your career is common for many workers, but the actual art of advancing is rare.
In addition to being ambitious, you must make sure that the experts in the field know about your intentions so they can give you a promotion or shift to a better role.
You can also volunteer to become part of a society or board to know people from different departments and experience levels.
Not only does it help in networking with like-minded individuals, but it also makes people around you trust you more and get promoted to leadership roles.
- Rotation:
Rotation in nursing means serving in different departments for different kinds of patients.
It is often frowned upon by junior nurses as it is challenging to switch roles now and then, but it has a lot to offer if done with interest.
Rotation between different nursing units provides a diverse experience and challenges your skills to better prepare for the future.
In addition to that, it also provides you with an opportunity to experience different branches directly, get to know your likes and dislikes, and then plan your specialization accordingly.
Furthermore, nurses with diverse experience are considered better for the hospitals and increase their chances of higher managerial roles.
- Advanced education:
There are various departments and career paths for registered nurses to choose from. Often these paths have a lot in common, and most require the same kind of skills.
Following are the most common ways to progress in a career in nursing:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN):
Earning a BSN degree boosts employment and advancement opportunities. As already mentioned, BSN can also be earned online, making it more manageable for busy nurses.
- Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN):
After completing a BSN, an MSN degree accelerates growth and opens managerial roles for nurses. Moreover, many recruiters also require MSN degrees.
Advance nursing careers often require a doctorate, allowing nurses to find high-paying jobs in policymaking.
Conclusion
Starting with being motivated and expressive about their goals, nurses can let others know about their intentions so that they can be promoted or shifted to better-suited jobs.
Furthermore, they need to develop a network of experts from which they can choose mentors to help them in their journey.
Advancing academics is imperative for a better nursing career. Advanced degrees include BSN, MSN, and DNP; a BSN can be completed online.
Enthusiastic nurses should chase their dreams, grow in their careers, and ensure good quality of care for all their patients.
