Print this article

Implementation: Phase 3

In the nursing process you are initiating and completing patient goals and plans. In the career transition process you need to start by carrying out your action plan. Network with nurses in your areas of interest. For example, if you want to explore nursing in the ER, talk to nurses you know in your hospital and other organizations. Prepare questions about qualifications, temperament needed and courses to take. Ask them if they know two or three other people you could talk to in other health care systems. Conduct three to five information interviews - an informal interview with someone in the job, career or nursing specialty you are interested in pursuing–so that you can gather different perspectives and perceptions. Attend a professional association meetings. By getting out there and speaking with other nurses, you are "reality testing" the information you've researched. Apply the same strategy for learning about other nursing jobs or careers.
After conducting the informational interviews, see if you can picture yourself working in any of these areas of nursing. Get further feedback by asking colleagues and friends what kind of nursing they think you'd be good at.

Sometimes job seekers get stuck in this phase because they have difficulty deciding where to focus. For example, one nurse who had a law degree and had worked in the private sector and in hospitals in mental health had many options open to her and didn't want to miss out on any possible opportunity. A career counselor helped her figure out what skills she enjoyed using the most and in what type of settings she could use them.
So, if you find yourself going around in circles or moving in too many different directions, it could be useful to contact a career counselor or career professional.

Job Search Strategies

The job campaign is a marketing process of selling your talents and accomplishments, and convincing employers that you are the best fit for the job. Many applicants make the mistake of not developing a plan or job targets. They end up just responding to ads. You will be much more successful if you take a proactive approach. Start by compiling a list of potential job opportunities in your area, or if you are available to relocate, research and select the areas desired. Write a resume outlining your abilities and work history; include certifications and CE courses related to your job objective. Create cover letters geared to specific positions. NurseWeek's online career center features a resume-building service that will help you create an impressive resume as well as several sample cover letters. Attend career fairs and meet recruiters. Review the classified ads on the NurseWeek site or elsewhere to see what types of jobs you want to apply for and to learn the needs of employers.

Continue to use your networking contacts to find openings. Currently hospitals are paying referral fees to employees who refer quality applicants. According to career experts, 75 percent of jobs are found through networking. This is one of the best ways to uncover openings before they are posted. The goal during this stage is to generate numerous interviews and multiple offers so you can accept the job that best fits your career plan.