Spring Has Sprung! Grow Your Nursing Skills.

Nurses are in high demand and while that can be reassuring, it can also be helpful for you to continue to look for opportunities to advance your career. This may be important in the future when “that perfect position” becomes available and you can be considered the ideal candidate.  Here are just a few ways that you can grow your nursing skills while continuing to work:

Find a nurse-residency program
New nurses may want to find a nurse residency program for their first job after nursing school. Many teaching hospitals offer a residency program to participate in for 6 to 12 months after the beginning of their employment. These programs help recent graduates’ transition into clinical practice. Residency programs are great opportunities for graduates to sharpen their critical-thinking and evidence-based decision-making skills.

Join a committee
Many hospitals have committees working together to implement best practices on a hospital unit. These practices can range from work-related issues such as scheduling to practice-related issues such as updating a policy or collaborating on how units can best work together to keep patients safe.

Participate in continuing education
Many states require several CEU or continuing education unit hours to re-register as a licensed nurse. There are many local and national conferences nurses can go to for the latest topics in the nursing profession and within different specialty areas. Most hospitals allow nurses a certain number of education hours they may use and may reimburse for class or conference costs. 

Receive a certification
For all the different nursing specialties that exist, there are just as many certifications. Many hospitals offer additional compensation for nurses who are “board-certified,” or are recognized by a specialty association of nursing as an expert in that specific area of nursing. 

Obtain an advanced degree
Advancing your nursing knowledge is a great way to become an expert in your nursing specialty or to explore other paths of expertise.  Take the time to find out what career opportunities exist before you go back. Getting an advanced degree may broaden your career options and opportunities. Many nurses continue to work full-time while getting their degree with the great advantage of tuition reimbursement from their current employer, check to see if this is an option for you.