7 Signs You’re Ready to Advance Your Career in Healthcare
One of the great things about working in healthcare is having the ability to grow your skills and advance into new positions. Whether you’re a certified nursing assistant (CNA) considering pursuing a nursing career, a Registered Nurse (RN) looking to complete a master’s degree program, or any other career in healthcare where you’re looking to advance, the possibilities for new opportunities are abundant.
Here are seven signs you’re ready to advance your career in healthcare during 2021.
#1: Your Current Career in Healthcare Doesn’t Challenge You
We hear it from friends, family members, and professional peers. It’s the old “I’m stuck in my job” feeling that zaps the energy out of you faster than a honeybee drains a flower of its nectar.
If you have accomplished all you can in your current healthcare position, it’s time to consider a more challenging opportunity. Sit down with your supervisor and have a conversation about what the next step should be. If you have a mentor, ask for advice on the potential changes that make sense for your career. At the end of the day, it’s about making the best decision for yourself, so make sure you’re exploring new opportunities that are both challenging and rewarding and will make you feel excited about your job again.
#2: Your Peers Come to You for Advice
The way you interact with your peers may be a key in determining your readiness for advancement. We’re not talking about how well you get along with your coworkers, although that’s important too.
Do coworkers often look to you for advice on patient treatment and work-related problems? If so, this shows that you have positioned yourself as an expert at your job, and your peers have developed the trust needed to come to you for advice. Colleagues are more likely to confide in someone they believe will make a well-informed decision. That’s why this is an excellent sign that you’re ready for career advancement.
#3: You’re Getting More Feedback from your Bosses
Yes, receiving more praise for a job well-done is a sign you may be ready to turn a new leaf. In most facilities, supervisors are continually looking for employees to train or promote into leadership roles within the organization. Often, they spend more time preparing individuals they think may be a good fit for future open positions.
You may notice that your supervisor is working with you to develop your technical and leadership skills, which is an excellent sign that they believe you have what it takes to handle additional responsibilities.
#4: You’re Seeking New Learning Opportunities
With healthcare technology changing rapidly, continuing education is one way to remain relevant on the job. “Whether it begins with pursuing the advanced cardiac rhythm class or the desire to learn the latest technology, a good leader not only openly but actively seeks opportunities to grow not just themselves but those they work with,” emphasized Kathleen Lynam, RN, MP.
Information technology will continue to influence patient outcomes moving forward. If you’re consistently seeking ways to learn new skills and refine those you already have, you might be ready to take your professional skills to the next level.
#5: You Understand the Big Picture
Healthcare professionals who receive promotions typically interact well with their peers, always meet deadlines, and display a high level of workplace skills.
Understanding the big picture means you have developed an awareness of how other departments mesh with your department and do your part to help everyone complete tasks to reach company goals. This means moving beyond your technical skills to understand the overall strategy of your healthcare organization. Recognizing the company’s goals as a whole and actively working toward them makes you a prime candidate for job advancement.
#6: You Adapt Well to Rapid Changes
The more you advance in your career in healthcare, the faster the changes unfold. As a healthcare professional, you must understand that changes occur daily — whether you like it or not. Part of being a successful clinician is learning to adapt to these changes without hesitation.
It often takes years of experience to feel comfortable adjusting your techniques to adhere to new protocols with ease. If you’ve developed the ability to pivot 180 degrees at a moment’s notice, you might be ready to take on a new role.
#7: You Want the Extra Responsibility
Being able, willing, and excited to accept extra responsibility is essential in determining whether a job advancement is suitable for you at this time.
Pursuing a career advancement is about feeling capable of your ability to take on additional responsibilities and liability. Being confident in your skills is a deciding factor in your readiness for career growth.
Are You Ready to Advance Your Career in Healthcare?
NurseDash is the first on-demand healthcare marketplace designed to match clinicians with roles that fit their lifestyle and skills. With flexible schedules and ongoing career support, clinicians can pick shifts that match their preferences. This way, you’re able to balance your career while advancing your education with ease!
Click here to learn more about joining the NurseDash team in 2021!
