One of the best things about working in the healthcare industry is that there are always options. You will never have to get bored or stuck in your role because there are many ways to improve your skills and opportunities available to you. There are several ways to do this.
Find a mentor
Whether you do it in the workplace or through a nursing organization, finding a mentor is a great way to hone your existing skills and acquire new ones. This can be a great way to learn about the different roles in a hospital or agency. Mentoring is common in the profession and you can pay for it by committing to mentoring others when you get the chance.
Work in different environments
Frequent relocation is discouraged in most industries. The infirmary could not have been more different. In fact, many larger hospitals and clinics require their nurses to move between roles to provide them with a wide range of skills and knowledge. Trying different things like this will help you discover what you like best and also keep your thinking flexible, helping you adapt more quickly to different everyday clinical situations.
Get your bachelor's degree
Returning to the BSN or ABSN programs may allow you to move from LPN status to full Registered Nurse (RN) status. It takes one to three years (with part-time study opportunities) and gives you the right to do things like run diagnostic tests, collect medical records, and develop or participate in personalized care plans, giving you more freedom in your life daily. -Daily work and the opportunity to take on new roles.
Develop a specialty
Some nursing specialties require you to have a master's degree, while others simply require that you have sufficient experience. This means that if you have an interest in a specific area and are willing to do most of the basic daily work in that department, usually 1000-2000 clinical hours, you will only have to take an exam to prove it. You understand what you are doing, after which you will have access to leadership positions.
Take DNP or PhD
If you really want to improve your game, studying for a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Ph.D. will take you to a very high level. This is a serious commitment that will take one to six years of your time and will require 1000 clinical hours or a dissertation (depending on your preferred route), but it may allow you to manage a department, conduct clinical trials, or move into research aimed at improving quality. of health care.
With these and other options to choose from, there is no
reason to get stuck in a rut. Take advantage of the opportunities you have to
explore and find what you like and feel free to use the many options over
time. This approach will benefit both you and your patients.