5 simple steps for moving up in your nursing career

A career in nursing will be demanding. You may have the heart to help people, but be realistic about what you expect from life.

A career in nursing is one of the hardest in the world. The workload, the emotional stress, and physical demands of the job can make it extremely difficult for some people.

5 simple steps for moving up in your nursing career; Overview

Moreover, climbing to the top can be somewhat of a struggle if you fall victim to the job’s trials. There will be curves in the road, but you need to overcome them and plod along.

Growth is a significant part of any career; however, actually moving up and gaining the promotions you deserve is complicated.

This article aims to help you grow in your career and allow you to gain the most out of your job. By the end, you should have a better idea about how to climb the ladder of success.

Here are some simple steps to move up in your nursing career.

Using your education to climb the ladder

Education or lack thereof is a critical obstacle that impedes you from climbing the corporate ladder. Employers want to see your academic credentials, but they expect you to practice what you’ve learned in the working environment.

This is easier said than done in a nursing career because studying alongside a full-time job can be highly stressful. Usually, a BSN degree in nursing is the stepping stone towards higher roles, but it demands time.

You may be wondering ‘How Long it Takes To Go From an ADN to BSN,’ the truth is, it depends on you.

If you’re working a full-time job as a nurse and opting for part-time study, it will take longer. But, if you can devote time and enroll in a full-time degree, you might have a better chance of finishing sooner and climbing up the ranks in a hospital.

One of the main things potential employers look for in a nurse is education and experience. Without a higher degree, you won’t have the right skills to qualify for the following position.

Practice empathy

Remaining empathetic with your patients, even if they’re complicated, makes for a good nurse. You will be surprised to note how many patients take note of how the staff behaves.

It takes one happy patient to put in a good word with the management and acts as a feather in your hat when it comes to the chance of a potential promotion.

Practicing empathy, understanding their issues, and feeling their pain can give you the connection you need with the patients.

You need to understand that these people are confused, scared, and irritated in their current situation. Be empathetic with your patients and do whatever you can for them.

Their comments on the feedback forms could go a long way in helping you grow through your career. Some clients/patients will go the extra mile and voluntarily talk to the management about you, which is enough for the administration to consider you for a higher role.

Help other colleagues

Nurses need to be helpful to one another. Since many don’t spend enough time with their families, they rely on you as a source of emotional support for them.

Listening to their struggles, covering their shift (if you can), and helping them with run-of-the-mill hospital tasks are just some of the things you can do to make their lives a bit easier.

Being there for your colleagues isn’t just limited to the healthcare industry; it’s all-encompassing. Lending a helping hand and being there for your colleagues always sets a good impression on the higher management.

Being a team player and an all-around great person is something the management usually notices without your knowing.

The nursing industry is one of the most challenging, so make things easier for someone if you can. Even if you aren’t benefitting, it’s always great to practice altruism.

Put on a smile

You knew what you were getting yourself into since your early days in nursing school. So, know that you signed up for this when the going gets tough.

Therefore, stressing out, looking upset, and taking days off might not be the best way to sell yourself.
It’s hard for everyone, but you need to be different. Get to work and put a smile on your face.

We understand how hard it can be to plod along through the mental and physical exhaustion, but frowning through the day isn’t going to make things easier.

Supervisors/managers look at how you’re handling the stress. If you can’t handle the current load, don’t expect to grow and be assigned new tasks in the future.

Employers are always looking for people who can juggle their tasks and not let stress get to them.

Dress nice, show up on time and don’t take days off

As a nurse, you want to ensure you’re there to tend to the influx of patients throughout the day. A neat, clean and timely nurse is irreplaceable in the healthcare sector.

Everyone appreciates someone who can handle their responsibilities and not look like they’ve been to hell and back doing so.

Showing up on time, dressing well, and not taking too many days off shows how committed you are to your duties and how well you can work in a hospital setting.

Appearance is everything in a job, and it is flawed logic to assume it would be different in a hospital.

Conclusion

That brings us to the end of this topic. The tips and tricks mentioned above will help you grow in your field and achieve more than mediocrity.

We’ve talked about the importance of education and covered factors relating to your dressing, punctuality, and supporting your colleagues.

All these factors, when combined, create the perfect image of a nurse destined to climb higher and achieve something great.

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