How to Have a Rewarding Career in Nursing

By Mika Lo

  • Overview

    Nurses play an integral role in the health care system by taking care of patients in a variety of capacities and clinical settings. Besides completing direct patient care tasks, nurses interact with doctors and additional staff members on a regular basis. Acting as liaisons between the patients they care for and the superiors they report to can take its toll on a nurse. Starting a career in nursing can be a rewarding experience for those that learn to combine compassion for patients with a professional attitude and competent skills.
    How to Have a Rewarding Career in Nursing
    How to Have a Rewarding Career in Nursing

    • Step 1

      Develop a strong support system. It's important to be able to handle the complex medical situations that nurses often encounter. Dealing with chronic illnesses, life-threatening emergencies and death can take its toll on your emotional well-being. Nursing-related stress can lead to workplace injuries, inadequate care and medication errors. Join a nurse support group to debrief with others who understand the nursing field and related patient confidentiality regulations.

    • Step 2

      Find the area of nursing that best suits your abilities and style. The medical profession contains numerous clinical areas including geriatric, critical care and surgical arenas. There are even options for nurses who prefer to work flexible hours or only complete paperwork. Determining whether the fast-paced atmosphere of the emergency room or the intimate nature of the intensive care unit is a better fit for you is vital to enjoying your nursing career.

    • Step 3

      Change scenery as necessary. Take advantage of the variety of available nursing opportunities. Although some nurses find comfort in working in the same hospital unit for 30 years, this isn't a requirement. Trying out new clinical settings or shifts can make nursing more enjoyable and help a nurse avoid burnout. Nursing-related burnout can leave you feeling desensitized and unfulfilled. Ask to fill in for nurses at satellite locations or in different clinical areas several times per year. Consider becoming a travel nurse with a reputable company for a dramatic location changes and experiences.

    • Step 4

      Keep procedural skills and practical knowledge up to date. While nursing license requirements make it mandatory to obtain a minimum amount of continuing education units, it's also important to seek additional information. Subscribe to nursing magazines such as American Journal of Nursing and Nursing 2009 to read about trends and advancements in the field. Attend nursing seminars and conferences to ensure your abilities don't diminish over time.

    • Step 5

      Get involved in nurse mentoring programs. Spreading your knowledge with the next generation of caregivers can bolster your resume and put a smile on your face. Although nursing involves heavy amounts of procedural knowledge, certain aspects are best learned from an experienced teacher. Volunteering to train or shadow new nurses at your job can be a rewarding experience. Learn about additional mentoring opportunities by contacting local community colleges and service organizations.
    • Skill: Moderate
    • Tip: Exploring different nursing career paths may lead to exciting options. Jobs like nurse anesthetist and nurse practitioner are available with additional education and training.
    • Tip: Get comfortable interacting with doctors, peers, and patients. Nursing involves successfully cooperating with many different personalities.
    • Tip: Let family and friends know when you need extra attention or extra space. Making connections with coworkers can also benefit your morale and willingness to keep facing those tough situations.
    • Warning:
    • Never neglect your own health. While taking care of others is commendable, failing to provide the same self-care can lead to harmful conditions.

    © Demand Media 2011