Pursue your profession dreams… just do it!

A colleague recently asked me what I thought of changing her current role and doing something different in nursing. I’m sure you’ve all had the identical thought. I told her to take into consideration where she desired to be in 1, 5, or 10 years and the way that goal fit into her life and family. I asked her, “What fulfills you in this profession? What brings you joy?”

We are lucky. Nursing is a novel occupation; it gives you the chance to maneuver from one role or specialty to a different while still working in your occupation. I remember being a direct care nurse on a medical-surgical unit and being transferred to the intensive care unit. This experience introduced me to a different specialty and I took the chance to learn all the things I could about intensive care nursing. I ultimately applied for the position, got the job and loved it! I actually have used this same strategy throughout my profession to develop my profession path.

Many of us don’t know where our profession path will take us until we perform some research and determine which opportunities will give us a path forward in our profession. I actually have at all times based my profession path on two things: ensuring I find a job that fulfills me and one which brings me joy. I actually have listened to people outside of our occupation who say they’re in it for the cash and really hate what they do. Nursing is different; there are enough different roles and specialties in nursing that we are able to find something that fulfills us and brings us joy if we search for it.

Over the past few years, I actually have watched people transition into latest roles or specialties and have had success. Much of this profession evolution is a results of the pandemic; for others, it’s a results of aging and the necessity for change. Regardless, it’s a win for the occupation in the event that they find their latest role inside the occupation relatively than outside it. The occupation must retain experienced individuals to assist develop the subsequent generation of nurses. Opportunities for nursing education, skilled development, and dealing to develop clinical and non-clinical nurse leaders are critical to the long run success of our occupation.

Your nursing profession is a journey, and also you evolve along the best way. My profession path isn’t any different. Today, I’m transitioning right into a latest role as a full-time nursing educator while continuing to practice practical nursing, integrating the art and science of nursing. For any nurse who dreams of doing something different, if the chance arises, just do it! As Walt Disney said, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we are curious, and curiosity leads us down new paths. Our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
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