{"id":5292,"date":"2022-08-10T19:16:40","date_gmt":"2022-08-10T19:16:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=5292"},"modified":"2022-12-02T04:40:48","modified_gmt":"2022-12-02T04:40:48","slug":"take-control-of-your-nursing-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/take-control-of-your-nursing-career\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways to Take Control of Your Nursing Career"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prior to becoming a nurse, achieving your dream probably seemed like a near impossibility. But you did it. You powered through the late night study sessions, showed up for every lab, stuck with clinicals even on the tough days and passed your NCLEX. Now what? Maybe you\u2019ve been working for a few months or even a few years and found yourself on autopilot. Don\u2019t worry. It\u2019s never too late to take control of your nursing career and get yourself out of that rut. Check out these 5 tips from Vivian Health and get started on transforming your career today.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

1. Know Your Worth<\/b><\/h3>\n

Regardless of what specialty you\u2019re working in or how long you\u2019ve been doing it, you must know your worth. Many nurses find themselves short-changed simply because they didn\u2019t realize that their nurse salary should have been higher and later regret not doing their research and negotiating when necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

Start by using Vivian\u2019s <\/span>salary tool<\/span><\/a> to calculate average pay rates. This tool is excellent for understanding where your nurse salary ranks locally and nationally against other nurses in your field. When utilizing the tool, consider your level of expertise and years of experience to help calculate whether you should be making more or less than the average.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you find that your salary is way off base, it\u2019s time to consider having a salary discussion with your management team during your next review. Just be sure to attend the meeting prepared with salary expectations and your reasons for deserving a raise. They must understand why losing you as part of their team would be detrimental and why the increased cost is worth it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tip: Be sure to record actual instances where you went above and beyond for patients. If you received written feedback, bring it along. If you accurately remember an event you took part in, write it down and share it with management. Often, the \u201cabove and beyond\u201d is what really sets you apart from the crowd. Also, bring along salary research, including what you found on Vivian. Most importantly, always be polite in your approach.<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

2. Get Specialized<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re sure that you\u2019ve found your calling, get specialized by earning professional certifications related to your field. Certified nurses who specialize have higher salaries and earn respect as top professionals in their field. Due to the requirements to renew their certifications, they stay up-to-date on advances in their areas of expertise, ensuring they continue to enhance their knowledge base and advance through their careers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Get started by utilizing our <\/span>certification resource<\/span><\/a> to search for a relevant credential you\u2019re interested in obtaining. This informative source details eligibility, education and experience requirements to pursue specific certifications and renewal requirements you can expect to maintain acquired certifications.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you find that you\u2019re not yet eligible to test for a particular certification, that\u2019s okay. Start a checklist and work towards preparing yourself for the exam by ensuring that you\u2019ve worked enough hours within the field, studying for the exam, and saving up for the exam fees.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tip: Reach out to management or other team members to find out who in your organization currently holds the certification that you\u2019re working towards obtaining. Ask if they\u2019re willing to be a mentor to you. They might not have much time to devote to you, but graciously accept any advice or time they\u2019re willing to give.<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

3. Start Traveling<\/b><\/h3>\n

The interesting thing about travel nursing is that it’s beneficial to everyone. If you\u2019re a specialty nurse, there\u2019s a place for you in the travel nurse industry. However, if you haven\u2019t found your niche yet, there\u2019s a place for you, too. It makes travel nursing a wonderful way to take charge of your nursing career.<\/span><\/p>\n

You get to make the call on what you do and when and where you do it. You review the available options and accept contracts that fit your skills and interests. The bonus here is that you have the opportunity to work in different facilities and often in various specialty areas, allowing you to gain access to experiences that you won\u2019t get if you\u2019re always in the same place.<\/span><\/p>\n

Traveling allows you to broaden your horizons, then when you find a place or specialty that really speaks to you, simply finish up your contract and go for the permanent position in a place you\u2019ll love. With the nursing shortage showing no signs of letting up, RNs can find a plethora of travel options through <\/span>Vivian\u2019s travel nurse job listings<\/span><\/a>. Be sure to compare and contrast what the agencies offer and find one that\u2019s the perfect fit for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Note: Travel nursing doesn\u2019t necessarily require long-range travel. In fact, many \u201ctravelers\u201d never actually leave their local area, only taking contracts in hospitals and other facilities within a short distance from their homes. When deciding on an agency, ask if they offer assignments local to your area if that\u2019s what you\u2019re interested in doing.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Personally, I have worked for several agencies that offer local as well as more distant contracts, and <\/span><\/i>Cross Country Staffing<\/span><\/i><\/a> has been the best. They offer a wide range of options, from daily assignments to long-term gigs in just about any nursing field you can imagine. They also have options for daily pay or a more traditional biweekly setup, offer health benefits, and have absolutely top-notch schedulers on staff.<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

4. Take on Per Diem Jobs<\/b><\/b><\/h3>\n

Side gigs aren\u2019t just for people who need a little extra cash. While that\u2019s a wonderful benefit, you\u2019ll likely find that the bigger benefit of taking on side gigs is the experience and knowledge you gain by stepping outside your groove. While unconventional, taking on side gigs is an exciting way to take control of and advance your career, as long as you do it right.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spend just 15 minutes browsing <\/span>PRN and per diem jobs<\/span><\/a> and you\u2019ll quickly realize there are tons of options open to you. Some require more commitment than others, so sit down and consider how much extra time you have to give. However, you\u2019ll definitely be able to find something to fit your wish list with a little searching. Once you\u2019ve done that, only consider gigs you\u2019ll enjoy. This positive experience will be great for your resume, and it can raise your morale.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tip: Now is the time to take on some challenging cases or new assignments. New skills or experiences you gain now will help you obtain future certifications and make you a better nurse overall.<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

5. Become a Nurse Manager<\/b><\/h3>\n

Deciding to move into nursing management isn\u2019t something you should do lightly, but if you\u2019re really looking for a way to take control of and advance your career, management is the way to go. It\u2019s a big change from staff nursing and requires you to maintain your understanding of what it\u2019s like \u201cin the trenches\u201d while looking at your unit\/organization as a business. It also gives you the opportunity to advocate for and implement changes that you feel will improve staffing, efficiency or morale.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re still not sure if you should become a nurse manager, ask yourself these questions:<\/span><\/p>\n