Nurse Blog

Add structure to your days

Look on your quest to find a job as a job in itself. Add structure to your days. Although it is tempting to exploit any free time you may have, don't spend all your free time shopping or sleeping late. Every weekday that you are off, spend time working towards finding your dream job.

Be clear on what you want to achieve. Write down your plans: Where would you like to work? What time frame do you have to work to? Look at your plan regularly, daily preferably, and keep a record of actions that you have taken towards achieving your goal.

In the words of  Tony Robbins:

“One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular.”

So get focused and get that job!

Mentor Benefits

You don’t have to be a student to benefit from a mentor.

It is well known how important effective mentorship is in helping student’s progress to their chosen pathway. But what if you are not a student but want to progress further in your area or change to a different speciality? Who is there to guide and advise you? Well, why shouldn't you get a mentor?

The first thing that you need to do is identify someone who works in the area that you would like to enter, or has the necessary qualifications to be able to give you the support you need. You may need a mentor who works in a different sector to you or even a different discipline. Try and choose someone who is positive and will encourage you. Phone first and arrange to meet for a chat. Explain that you are looking for a role model. Most people would be flattered to be approached in this way. Not only could your mentor arrange for you to spend some time working in your chosen area (you may be able to get a secondment or paid study leave), they will also have important contacts, be able to advise you on how to progress, and will have inside knowledge of when vacancies become available. You never know she may even be on the interview panel. 

Showing enthusiasm and some initiative will make you stand out from the crowd. It shows that you know what you want and are prepared to make the effort to better yourself.

Before meeting your prospective mentor, consider what it is you want from her:

· Do you just want to know if a certain job is right for you?

· Do you want to work your way up to a position similar to your prospective mentor and need advice on how to get there?

· Do you need support for study as well as practical experience?

· Do you just want to broaden your experience in a particular field?

· Do you need help in getting a placement in order to complete your studies?

Be honest with your prospective mentor on what you need from her so that she knows what she is expected to do. You may have to give up some of your free time and do some work without pay, but think of the long-term benefits.

Don’t expect too much. Your mentor is there to guide you, not do all the hard graft for you. Listen to her suggestions and act on them. If she suggests a good book, try and get hold of it. If she suggests someone who would be good to speak to, contact him or her yourself. Don’t be afraid to talk to people in more senior positions than you – if they know you are keen they will be happy to help. They often won’t seem so intimidating once you get to know them. Learn how to use your email, as this is often the best way to contact busy people.

Always show your appreciation – your enthusiasm should show your mentor that what she is doing is worthwhile. Never lose sight of your goals. If you know what you want to achieve, and are prepared to put in the time and effort, you will eventually get there. If you believe in your abilities then others will too and your dream job might not be as far away as you think.

Resign in style

Don’t burn your bridges the old saying goes – you never know when you might meet your ex boss and colleagues again...

You’ve finally got the job you wanted. All that you need to do now is hand in your resignation and work your notice. But is it really that simple?

First of all you should consider the new job offer. Is it what you really want? Think about the reasons why you want to leave your current position. Is it because you want to earn more money? Want a new challenge? Promotion? Because you don’t get on with the people you work with? Or simply because you just want a change? Consider whether the new job offers you what you want. Study the hours, holiday entitlement and study leave. Once you have made the decision that it is the job for you, then and only then, start thinking about handing in your notice.

First, make an appointment to speak to your manager. Don’t do this at a time when you are feeling particularly negative or angry about your current position. Only give constructive criticism. Don’t run anyone down – you never know when you might find yourself working with or in contact with him or her again. And if your new job doesn’t work out you may want to return to your old job. Try and give your reasons for leaving in a constructive and positive way and thank your manager for giving you the opportunity to work there.

If you are encouraged to stay in your current position, perhaps with a wage increase or change in working conditions, consider why it took the threat of leaving to bring it about. If you do decide to stay, you may be viewed as someone who is not committed and threatens to leave instead of trying to work out problems. If the reason you are thinking of leaving is because of specific problems and your boss promises to remedy these if you stay, can you be sure they will be dealt with effectively?

Also if you are offered a better deal and decide to accept it, will this arouse jealousy in your colleagues? In turn you will be turning down the job you have been offered and this could work against you if you decide later that you do want to work in that area. Your potential employers might see you as unreliable and not dedicated enough, or worse, as a time waster.   

Try and keep your resignation letter formal but positive too.  It only really needs to include the basic details of your resignation – the position you are resigning from and your intended leaving date. Write your letter then sleep on it. Come back to it the following morning with a clear head. Keep it positive. If you do have to include some constructive criticism to explain your reasons for leaving, it might be an idea to get a colleague to read it first and give their opinion. Also give the people who will be your referees reasons why you think you will be good at the new job. Explain to them why you think the time is right to move on.

You will need to work the period of notice stated in your contract. However sometimes, if you are working within the same trust or company, the managers will negotiate together and may agree a shorter notice period. When working your notice try and complete any tasks you have started. Don’t look on this period as a time that you can take it easy. If you have to train whoever is taking over your position, really put the effort into helping them and making the transition as smooth as possible. It is better to be remembered as someone who was helpful and efficient rather than lazy and revengeful.

Generally you will be required to pass a medical and your references will be followed up before you hand your notice in. But, what if you are desperate to leave your job but don’t yet have a definite job offer? This may be a bit risky financially and employers are often more inclined to hire people already in employment, particularly if the position is in the same trust or company, but the break from work may give you time to assess why you were unhappy in your job and where you would like your career to go.

Sometimes the job of your dreams may not be only one step away and you may need to gain experience in other areas first. But taking the time to make sure that you are making the right decisions will ensure that you do not make mistakes. Keeping on good terms with past bosses and colleagues shows that you are professional, and they could also be good contacts for the future, when you are ready to take another step up the ladder, closer to your dream job.

   

Banking on a job

If you know what area you want to work in try and get a placement or some bank shifts there. You’ll get to know the people and routines as well as gaining valuable experience and it will be a strong foundation to build on. Use these seven tips to help you make the most of it:

1. Be observant. Try to identify the unspoken rules of the ward and spot the people who are the key influencers. Try to get on side with the right people without appearing to suck-up.

2. Be enthusiastic. Always arrive on time, look well presented, pick things up quickly and once you’ve completed any tasks look for something else that needs doing. Demonstrating skills will impress but what will really earn you brownie points is showing your willingness to go that extra mile or two.

If you are a student your college will help you get the placement you want, but what you make of it is up to you. Go in there and knock them dead and they will want you back. Lounge around and make the most of your supernumerary status and they’ll be glad to see the back of you.

3. Be realistic. Make sure that you are aware of your limitations and be prepared to ask for help when you need it. Having confidence in your ability is good but it needs to match up with what you can actually do to create a good impression (and be safe!)

4. Be nice. Little things like making the coffee or tidying up the staff room can go a long way. Take the initiative and look for opportunities to help others out. Make sure you get your priorities right though – don’t see making the coffee as a way of getting out of an unpleasant task on the ward!

5. Be inquisitive. Network and make as many contacts as you can. If someone’s role interests you, perhaps a nurse specialist, ask if you can spend some time shadowing them, even if this is in your own time and unpaid. Try to be like a sponge soaking up contacts and information.

6. Gain skills. Take advantage and learn as many new skills as you can. Be aware of what’s going on and don’t be afraid to ask if you can either observe or try out a new technique.

7. Be strategic. Stay focused on what you want you want to achieve, whether it’s a permanent job, experience or someone to give you a reference, remember how it is going to help you achieve your long term goals.

To Lead or Not to Lead...

Leadership roles are becoming increasingly important in nursing. Nurses with effective leadership and management skills are essential in ensuring efficient care delivery. But how do you know whether you have what it takes to be a good leader? And is that the role that will bring you the greatest career and personal satisfaction?

What makes someone a good leader? Well, leaders want to make a difference. They believe in what they are doing and have a vision of what they want to achieve. To be a good leader you need to be a broad thinker, able to think across a range of ideas, developments, groups and disciplines. You need to be comfortable with change and able to encourage others to accept change too.

Leaders can be from any discipline or culture but one of the most important qualities you need to possess is self awareness, to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and have the ability to make the most of your skills. You also need to be able to delegate effectively, to inspire trust and confidence in others, but also be capable of demonstrating empathy and compassion when the situation demands.

You may not view yourself as a potential leader in the beginning, but as your career progresses your confidence will grow. There are courses available to help you develop your skills. The RCN run a Clinical Leadership Programme - a twelve-month programme of learning which aims to develop leadership skills in participants.

The programme can help you identify your leadership behaviours and where there is room for improvement. Identifying your strengths and weaknesses and the increased self-awareness and self-management skills you gain on the course will help give you the confidence to put your newly gained leadership skills into action.

But remember that although a leadership role can sound very appealing, you need to consider whether you are ready for the extra responsibility it brings. If you are unsure whether you are fit for the role then get feedback from as many people as you can.

You will need to be clear on what exactly you want to achieve in your career overall, and whether your ambitions fit in with your life plan. As you progress to higher level leadership roles you may find that you are spending less time on direct patient care – is that what you want?

If you are still serious about developing your career, identify where you would like to be in say three or five years time, perhaps as a ward sister or in a management position, and set realistic goals in your personal development plan to help you get there. Don’t be bashful about your ambitions – make sure that you let people know that you want to progress and that you are open to new opportunities.

The nursing role has changed dramatically over the last few years and with it our expectations of leadership. Gone are the days when matron was someone to be feared and obeyed. What is needed now is someone who is a team player, able to inspire and recognise skills in colleagues at all levels, and patients too as they become more involved in planning their own care. The new emphasis on leadership is transforming patient care because it encourages patient-focused and needs led care.

So if you think you have what it takes to be a leader, have the courage to step outside your comfort zone and actively seek out roles and tasks so that you can stretch yourself. Look at courses to help you develop your skills. Whatever level you work at, you can demonstrate and develop your leadership skills.