Index Of The Blog
As a career, Nursing is challenging but also high in demand, highly rewarding, and a high-paying field. Just like any other profession, nurses also seek growth and career advancement.
Currently, leadership roles in the nursing field are in high demand due to the retiring population of nurses in the upper-level management criteria.
So if you want to grow as a nurse, this is the best time.
Nurses in executive-level positions are responsible for managing the nursing staff, coordinating with other departments, procuring resources, maintaining inventory, providing high-quality patient care, and drafting patient care plans.
Nurse researchers collaborate with interdisciplinary professionals for the advancement in the field. Nurse educators teach and train the upcoming nursing generation.
Similarly, clinical nurses work independently and dedicate themselves to providing high-quality patient care while collaborating with the healthcare unit.
However, to reach such nursing positions, you must meet certain requirements. Let us look at some helpful tips that will enable you to climb your nursing career ladder.
1. Gain Relevant Higher Education Degree
Every higher-level position requires an advanced nursing degree. With a BSN degree, you become a registered nurse by completing your nursing associate diploma as a prerequisite.
You can unlock higher-level careers by acquiring a Master of Science in Nursing. If you are a BSN graduate, you can enroll in William Paterson University MSN programs to learn about advanced nursing theories and nurture the leadership skills you need to thrive in management roles.
With a Master of Science in Nursing, you can bring real change to the healthcare system by introducing policies and programs that will strengthen the healthcare delivery system.
The latest research and evidence-based advanced practices can shorten the response time during emergencies, such as the global coronavirus pandemic.
The pandemic required quick action from all healthcare workers around the world. Similarly, in such a crisis, highly qualified and trained nursing staff can put together a team of healthcare workers and manage an emergency camp in critical areas.
2. Understand the Operational Procedures
Whenever you join an organization, you must understand its operational procedures, policies, and safety guidelines.
You also need to understand the organization’s hierarchy, management structure, key decision-makers, and your peers.
It will help you perform your job better and know which person to approach for which task.
Developing a better understanding of your workplace will help you understand the healthcare industry better, along with the challenges it faces.
To bring positive change, you first need to understand where the problem lies and its root cause. Only then can you contribute towards operational efficiencies.
Furthermore, with your background and experience, you can devise strategies to overcome other issues.
For example, mismanagement, miscommunication, or misallocation of resources can affect a patient’s healthcare.
Overcoming these issues will make healthcare delivery seamless, and you will be responsible for it.
The management and your peers will recognize your achievements by demonstrating such operational efficiencies. It will contribute to your initiative and leadership skills.
3. Find a Mentor
To make your nursing learning experience smooth, find a mentor who can support you through your initial journey.
It will make many things easier for you. You would not have to learn the hard way since your mentor will be there every step of the way.
Your mentor can be anyone in a senior position in the same field as you, with enough experience and knowledge equipped to guide you well.
It can be your educator, your manager, or your supervisor. Alternatively, it can be someone you look up to, admire and aspire to be like.
Make sure to observe how your mentor operates during work and how they engage people and influence and motivate them. Developing people skills is crucial if you want to gain a leadership role.
Additionally, observe how they multitask during stressful situations, resolve conflicts and provide feedback. It will help you better understand their strategies to be efficient at their jobs.
4. Interact with Your Healthcare Unit
A leadership role in nursing includes collaborating with your entire healthcare unit. This includes your patients and their families, the healthcare staff, collaborating with other departments, and the management.
As a leader in your nursing role, you have to be aware of all healthcare workers working in your unit. Interacting with them will enable you to see where they stand and understand their potential and problems.
Since you will be responsible for nurturing them, you should be able to manage them well.
As a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), you can devise strategies to benefit your unit. For example, providing an environment for your staff and patients, that’s safe and healthy.
Doing so, you will also be able to make around $124,000 annually.
Other leadership roles include Chief Information Officer (CIO), who makes around $208,000, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with an annual salary of $600,000.
This figure is far higher than the other US sectors and demands high-quality leadership skills and strategies.
5. Developing Your Network
Maintaining a healthy working relationship with your healthcare unit is crucial. Since you will be working with people throughout your nursing journey, it will be helpful to develop a professional network.
Networking equips you with additional resources. Nurses and healthcare workers who remain in touch after graduation or switch jobs can collaborate in the future and set up teams amongst themselves.
For example, by setting up medical camps, creating an emergency response team, providing independent healthcare in a community, etc.
Moreover, your colleagues can provide insights from their experiences, which will only increase your knowledge. Therefore, growing your network will only broaden your horizon of work opportunities.
Conclusion
As a Registered Nurse (RN), there are countless ways for you to upscale your career. To enter leadership roles in nursing, you must first earn a higher nursing education. Acquiring an MSN degree is an excellent way to start.
However, apart from the theoretical knowledge, you must also demonstrate on-the-job leadership qualities and the ability to take the initiative. Once you show your skills, climbing the nursing hierarchy will not be too challenging.
Understand the operational procedures of your organization, find a mentor, interact with your healthcare unit, and build a network. These skills will allow you to work in higher-paying positions while delivering quality patient care.
