Being a professional, it is one of the most challenging prospects to give your career a complete 180-degree shift. And when that shift to a tiresome but rewarding profession like nursing, there is much to consider and evaluate.
Switching your career to a demanding profession like nursing is definitely a brave move. It is a difficult path that – and it goes without saying – requires a lot of dedication and hard work. Hospital rotations, study schedules, practical work — there is much to look after. However, if you have decided that nursing is the final career choice for you, then you have landed on the right page. In this blog, we will discuss the key tips that can help you transition into the healthcare industry as a nursing professional.
1) Figure Out Educational Prospects
You need to have a relevant degree in nursing before becoming eligible for professional work. An Associate Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing are accepted programs, allowing degree holders to start their professional degree with the latest education.
But what if you are transitioning from another field?
Opting for a complete four-year program might not suit the fact that you are transitioning from another career — there isn’t much time to restart everything from scratch. Well, there is always a silver lining. For those short of time, an Accelerated Bachelor’s in Nursing (ABSN) is the way to go. These programs are designed to complete the degree much quicker, so you can complete your transition faster.
In fact, ABSN online programs are also available for students who want flexible study hours but a worthwhile educational experience. All you have to do is pick what matches your current situation and go with it.
2) Know the Demand for Nursing
There is no point in jumping into a profession significantly lower in demand than your current one. Fortunately for you, nursing is not among those professions. Nurses work in all healthcare departments—from generic OPD requirements to dealing with more complex operation theatre cases, their requirements in different branches cannot be denied.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for nurses is expected to grow by 6 percent by 2033. This means that people will require more assistance in healthcare in the future.
3) Get Practical Experience
Learning and getting a relevant degree is the mainstay of a complicated profession like nursing. However, you must step out of the classroom, wear your nursing scrubs, and head on for practical experience. The hours you log working in a clinical facility while completing your education are helpful when adjusting to professional life.
The budding professionals can make use of work experience to develop soft skills in people and time management to overcome setbacks related to people and scheduling. Books can only help you learn about a pre-defined number of scenarios. But when you work in a hospital, your practical horizon develops, and you learn a lot more.
For instance, while working at a clinic, nurses get to explore different patients – which essentially opens up avenues for a wider (and more diverse) range of research. Along with this, you also get to know the correct way of dealing with patients in case an unexpected scenario arises.
4) Explore Specialization Options
Let’s talk about specialization. Do you want to go into pediatrics and work with little kids? Or are you more interested in working in the intense OT environment?
It is one thing to have preferences, but ideally, you should explore different fronts to find the specialization that works for you. The time you spend volunteering at different clinics will come in handy when you ultimately choose a specialization. Nurses with expertise in a specific area – for sure – have better chances of professional growth and career stability.
In addition, multiple settings of hands-on experience will also serve to build your confidence and truly understand what each specialization entails. This can also help an individual develop a bigger skill set. It helps adapt to the various needs of patients and different healthcare environments.
5) Have Your Support System Around You
A career transition while you are already a professional is a bold move. You can’t just wing it. Do think about the change and its impact on you and your loved ones. Before making a decision, step back and take a moment to think about the ones who are dependent on you and the ones you are dependent on. Will they be okay with it? Talking to them before making the switch will make it less stressful for you to adjust.
That said, professional support is also important for succeeding in your new profession. Create connections through social platforms and support groups to receive advice from professionals who can help streamline your career.
6) Bring Your Previous Skills to Life
As a professional who is transitioning, you already have different skills in your bag that might help tackle the challenges at nursing school. Nowadays, almost every career requires someone with good communication, time management, and people skills — so perhaps with those in your bag, you are already halfway into adjusting to nursing school.
People with essential soft skills due to their previous degree can easily adjust to the demanding environment of a clinic. For instance, someone with good people skills can handle patients much more quickly. So, regardless of your transition, the skills from your previous jobs will accompany you and support you as you become a full-time nurse.
In short, switching your career to nursing is indeed a bold move – but also an entirely possible one. To make this transition a success, you first need to explore the educational prospects and understand what the demand of this profession will be in the future.
Look for the different specialization options before making a final decision. Your family and dependents deserve to know your decision. Before shifting your career, remember to share this with them so you all are on the same page.
So, if you feel ready to make the switch, now is the time to consider nursing as a full-time profession.
