Nurses are the frontline care providers and are integral to the healthcare system. It is one of the most respectable careers in America. It is estimated that nurses make up 10% of the total workforce of the United States. This growth is because of an aging population’s needs and medical technology improvements.
The field of nursing offers many lucrative career options, including those with advanced education and certifications. According to the US BLS, the employment of Registered Nurse Assistants (RNAs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) is projected to grow by 40 percent from 2021 to 2031, with a median annual wage of $123,780.
However, like most professions, nurses must also invest in themselves to grow professionally. If you’re a nurse looking for ways to climb up the ladder, here’s what you need to know:
- Continue education
Continuing education is an essential part of any nurse’s career. It is the process of learning new skills and knowledge through formal training programs, online degrees, certifications, or on-the-job instruction.
As a nurse, you need to stay up-to-date with more advanced technologies and treatments available in your field, as well as trends in research and legislation.
Taking time away from work and attending classes on campus can sometimes be difficult for nurses. But you can now opt for EMU online degrees to advance your career flexibly.
- Develop leadership skills
Leadership does not always involve being in charge. It is about influencing and setting an example for others. If you want to be a leader, make sure that your actions are always setting the right example for those around you. This can mean getting people to do what you want them to do or inspiring them through words alone.
- Learn crisis management
The ability to manage a crisis is an essential skill for nurses. Crisis management skills apply to all nursing situations, but they are especially important in the emergency department. Nurses need to be able to identify a problem and take steps to prevent it from happening again. They also need to know how to respond when something does happen so that patients receive the care they need quickly and efficiently. This also includes dealing with patients who need to be hospitalized, transferred to another facility, or need help finding resources.
- Show compassion
Compassion is the ability to understand and empathize with others. It helps you be a better nurse and grow, allowing you to see things from another person’s perspective.
Compassion can be learned through practice, but it is not all about feeling sorry for yourself or others. It also involves actively trying to make things better for those around you. Compassion makes people feel cared for and less alone in their suffering. This makes them more likely to seek treatment from nurses who are often there as part of their healing process.
- Develop effective communication skills
Nurses need to be able to listen and understand what their patients are saying, as well as give clear directions on how to take care of themselves. In addition, nurses must be able to solve problems using creative problem-solving techniques and active listening skills. They should also be able to use body language appropriately when communicating with patients or colleagues during an emergency where time is limited.
Nurses need to have strong verbal and non-verbal communication abilities. This includes:
- Eye contact (which shows interest)
- Nodding heads (which show agreement)
- Smiling (which shows happiness)
- Show emotional resilience
Emotional resilience is the ability to bounce back from difficult situations. The ability to manage stress and pressure shows emotional resilience and professionalism.
It is an essential quality for nurses, as they are constantly dealing with the stress and challenges that come with their job. The ability to overcome these situations will make you a better professional and help you grow as a person.
- Join a professional nursing organization
Joining a professional nursing organization allows you to network with other nurses, learn industry trends, and hear from experts on what is going on at work or in health care policy.
You can join professional organizations like the American Nurses Association or the International Federation of Professional Nurses (IFPN). These organizations provide a forum where nurses can share ideas about how best to develop themselves as professionals in their chosen fields.
- Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to nurture compassion and empathy, meet people, and build your resume. It can also help you gain experience in a new area. You should volunteer for organizations relevant to your career goals and interests. These opportunities will give you valuable insight into what professionals do daily.
If volunteering does not sound fun, consider joining an organization where volunteers are needed, such as Habitat for Humanity or RAICES. These organizations supply housing and food for immigrants who have recently fled their countries due to violence or persecution.
In addition, volunteering or joining groups will allow you access to information from experts who know what works best within different fields related directly to improving patient outcomes.
- Stay current with technological advancements
It is important to stay abreast of the latest trends in nursing and keep yourself up-to-date with the latest technologies and training methods. Staying current means attending educational events, so you do not miss valuable learning opportunities that may come up at any time during your career path.
Attending nursing conferences can be an excellent way to learn about new products or services while networking with other professionals who are also interested in those topics.
Read professional journals and blogs on your career field or specialty area(s). These publications often hold information on recent developments within healthcare settings and useful tips from seasoned professionals who have been through similar situations.
Conclusion Nurses are constantly developing their skills and talents to provide the best care for patients. They must always be ready to adapt, learn new things, and grow professionally. By following these tips, you can prepare yourself for a rewarding career in nursing.
