The Path to Building a Successful Nursing Career

179 Pages·2020·5.037 MB·English

by  Jennifer M. Manning

The Path to Building
a Successful Nursing
Career
Jennifer M. Manning
123
The Path to Building a Successful Nursing Career
Jennifer M. Manning
The Path to Building
a Successful Nursing
Career
Jennifer M. Manning
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
School of Nursing
New Orleans, LA, USA
ISBN 978-3-030-50022-1 ISBN 978-3-030-50023-8 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50023-8
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of
the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations,
recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or
information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar
methodology now known or hereafter developed.
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this
publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from
the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this
book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the
authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained
herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with
regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG
The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
V
I dedicate this book to Jason, my husband of 25 years. Without your support, this
book would not be possible. Thank you for supporting me on my career path.
Often, you did not know why I was on my path, and you helped me anyway. Thank
you for our many years together and our three beautiful children, Jason Jr.,
Jonathan, and Emily. Thanks for being a wonderful husband, and thank you for
loving me for who I am.
Preface
Over the last 20 years, I have mentored many nurses, faculty, and nursing students.
When working with nurses, I find they often need someone to layout a “path” for
advancing their career. I have not found a book that addresses career advancement
in this way. Many books cover elements of the path (salary, advanced practice
nurse training, etc.) but do not lay it out in a comprehensive manner.
Jennifer M. Manning
New Orleans, LA, USA
VII
Preface
I have been a registered nurse (RN) for 20 years, an advanced practice RN for 13
years, and a registered nurse educator for 12 years. My decision to become an RN
did not “just happen.” My journey into the nursing profession resulted from an
inward journey and outward data gathering. I reflected on what I wanted in my life,
assessed my strengths, obtained feedback from people in my work and personal
life. I have been on a journey and feel fortunate that the path I have chosen was the
right one for me. I think I have been successful in my journey, partly because I
chose a path that matched what I wanted for myself and my skills.
My decision to advance my nursing career stemmed from me wanting more in
my career, knowing I could make a difference, and the courage to say, “I can do
this.” Yes, there were people around me who doubted my path would lead to suc-
cess and said: “you cannot be a mom of three children, married, work fulltime and
go back to graduate school.” I am so glad I did not listen to them! I now tell others
to follow their dreams and not to listen to the naysayers. Keep in mind; you may be
your worst enemy. Do not be afraid.
»
Your future won’t come to you, and you must go out and get it.
So why write this book? I worked as a director of an RN-BSN program for several
years and in that time found myself meeting with RNs who achieved an associate’s
degree or diploma and wanted more. I felt like a broken record when I talked about
the “path to building a successful nursing career.” I looked for books that they
could use to help guide the path and did not find one that met this specific need. I
then decided I would have to write one myself. So…. to all of you out there trying
to build a successful nursing career, this book is for you.
Jennifer M. Manning
New Orleans, LA, USA
Acknowledgments
This book would not be possible without all of those who have supported me in my
personal and professional life. My mother and father showed me that hard work
was an essential part of success. While I lost my mom far too soon in life, my dad
has remained a sounding board for me and always gives me his honest opinion and
encourages me to do my best in everything. My husband supported me in my
career. He has been a partner in life and supported me in good times and in bad.
My mentors have been invaluable to me throughout my career. Mentors led me to
nursing, and mentors have led me through my many nursing roles and positions.
Through their time and words of encouragement, they have shown me that success
is something you can achieve and to believe in yourself.
IX
About the Book
My book is unique in that it will address career building through the lens of the
nursing profession. It is structured to begin with plotting the nursing career path.
7Chapters 1 and 2 address self-assessment, goal setting, and self-discipline.

7 Chapters 3 and 4 address academic paths and non-academic paths of nursing

career advancement. 7 Chapter 5 addresses strategic path development, such as

internal motivation, risk-taking, and work-life balance. 7Chapter 6 discusses net-

working, professional membership, work environments, and mentorship. 7Chap-

ters 7 and 8 address professional growth topics such as civility, burnout, professional
development, and “keeping informed.” 7 Chapter 9 addresses specific profession-

alism topics such as professional behavior, ethics, social media, and executive pres-
ence. This book will fill a gap by serving as a reference and guide for nurses
interested in advancing their careers. No book gathers this information in one
place specifically for the professional nurse. The work will benefit anyone interested
in learning how to advance their career in nursing at any career level. The chapter
topics are relevant to today’s professional nurse.
XI
Contents
I Plotting Your Career Path
1 Self-Assessment .............................................................. 3
1 .1 Introduction .................................................................... 4
1 .2 Values .......................................................................... 4
1 .3 Beliefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1 .4 Skills ........................................................................... 5
1 .5 Vision........................................................................... 7
1 .6 Personal Strengths and Weaknesses ............................................. 8
1 .7 Self-Awareness.................................................................. 12
1 .8 Emotional Intelligence (EI)....................................................... 13
1 .9 Conclusion...................................................................... 19
References...................................................................... 21
2 Goal Setting and Self- Discipline............................................. 23
2 .1 Goal Setting .................................................................... 25
2 .2 Lifetime Goal Setting: Where Do You Want to Be in the Future? .................... 26
2 .3 Short-Term Goals: Where Do You Want to Be in the Next 5 Years?.................. 27
2 .4 Self-Discipline .................................................................. 34
References...................................................................... 38
II Building Your Career Path
3 Professional Nursing Career Paths: The Non- academic Path............... 41
3 .1 Introduction .................................................................... 43
3 .2 Common Misconceptions in Nursing Careers ..................................... 43
3 .3 Certification .................................................................... 45
3 .4 Promotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
3 .5 Nursing Specialties.............................................................. 50
References...................................................................... 63
4 Professional Nursing Career Paths: The Academic Path.................... 65
4 .1 Introduction .................................................................... 67
4 .2 Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) ................................................ 69
4 .3 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)................................................... 70
4 .4 Registered Nurse (RN) ........................................................... 70
4 .5 Master’s Degree................................................................. 73
4 .6 Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)................................................. 73
4 .7 Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).................................... 74
4 .8 Research-Focused Doctorate: Ph.D. .............................................. 79
References...................................................................... 84