EDITOR IAL Elevate l Inspire l Innovate l Energize Founding Editors Eugene W. Jackson

Career transitions The transition from winter into spring always inspires me to think of new growth and untapped potential. The freshness is energizing. It’s an especially good time to reflect on the transitions that we go through in our nursing careers—and consider the transitions we have an opportunity to make when contemplating career goals. Whether it’s graduate nurse to competent clinician, clinical nurse to educator or leader, or movement into any other related career path, there’s a personal and professional growth process to be undertaken. So, for all of you who are ready to take the leap or who are in the midst of your own transition, I share these insights. When you decide to make a transition (like going back to school or accepting a new position), you’re still the same person, but be prepared: People might see you differently. That’s because you’re changing the status quo for coworkers, friends, and perhaps even family. (For Star Wars fans, you’re causing a disturbance in the Force.) Some will be happy for you; others will reserve judgment and wait to see how your transition might affect them. A few might even exhibit varying degrees of negativity because of what your decision might take away from them: excuses for not progressing in their own careers, the spotlight at work, a desired position, and time together to name a few. How do you handle such responses? First, be open-minded. Carefully observe your new playing field and make meaningful connections with the people in it. Quietly seek insight into reactions that you observe. Be kind—don’t fan flames of negativity. Let people get to know the “new you”—even though they knew you before. Evaluate your responsibilities and prioritize them. Address issues and barriers that emerge the best that you can, but continue your journey forward. Investigate helpful survival strategies, like an upgrade to your computer technology, to enable improved efficiency and productivity. Seek trusted experts who can serve as formal or informal mentors. Commit to being a lifelong learner—take courses to hone skills and expand your knowledge. Each transition builds a foundation for the next. These endeavors aren’t always straightforward, and the path isn’t always paved, but the journey is definitely part of the adventure and, ultimately, the road to your destination. Until next time—

Daniel L. Cheney

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Linda Laskowski-Jones, MS, RN, ACNS-BC, CEN, FAWM Editorial Director: Kimberly A. Gasda Executive Editor: Katherine W. Carey Senior Clinical Editor: Denise D. Hayes, MSN, RN, CRNP Managing Editor: Cynthia A. Laufenberg Senior Editor: Betsy Pitner Lowe Editorial Assistant: Danielle Westermann King Publishing Assistant: Andrei Greska Managing Editor, Production: Erika Fedell Senior Production Editor: Stephanie Grant Contributing Editors: Rose G. Foltz, Nanci Kulig Design Director: Edward W. Rosanio Art Director: Lisa A. Dischert Executive Director, Continuing Education and Conferences: Karen E. Innocent, DNP, MS, RN, CRNP, ANP-BC, CMSRN Continuing Education Manager: Janet S. Thomas, MS, RN-BC Print Production Coordinator: Pat Lankford BUSINESS AND ADVERTISING STAFF Director, Publishing: Theresa M. Steltzer Advertising Sales Director, Career, Events and Education: Ben Crowe Advertising Sales Director, Products and Services: Peter Bless Executive Director of Marketing: Keith Follweiler Manager of Circulation: Deb Benward Associate Director of Marketing: Lisa Whelan Associate Marketing Manager: Danielle Beren Associate Marketing Manager: Marie Bartos Products & Services National Account Manager Sue Ryan, RN 1-800-457-9076 Career, Education and Events Advertising Eastern US Regional Sales Manager: Linda Barta 1-800-237-1342 Western US Advertising Sales Representative: Michaela Taylor 415-603-9197 Advertising Coordinator: Valerie McCarthy 215-521-8961, fax 215-754-4921 Customer Service: To subscribe or renew, resolve billing questions, or submit an address change, call 1-800-879-0498.

EXECUTIVE

Linda Laskowski-Jones, MS, RN, ACNS-BC, CEN, FAWM Editor-in-Chief, Nursing2014 Vice President: Emergency & Trauma Services Christiana Care Health System, Wilmington, Del.

Cathy Wolfe CEO and President Jayne Marks Vice President of Publishing Jennifer E. Brogan Vice President, Nursing, Health, and Wellness Publishing Anne Dabrow Woods, MSN, RN, CRNP, ANP-BC Chief Nurse

Contact Linda Laskowski-Jones at [email protected]. DOI-10.1097/01.NURSE.0000443331.19074.e5

6 l Nursing2014 l March

www.Nursing2014.com

Copyright © 2014 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

N0314

Career transitions.

Career transitions. - PDF Download Free
148KB Sizes 1 Downloads 0 Views