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Planning: Phase 2

Creating Your Action Plan: A Worksheet

An action plan provides an overall plan with steps for achieving your goals and deadlines so you can move forward in the career planning process. Get started by using the action plan worksheet below.

1. List one to three nursing specialties or jobs you are interested in researching.

Example: (ED, critical care, nurse practitioner)

2. Follow steps for researching your areas of interests:

Example: a) Research Web nursing sites and professional associations and read articles in NurseWeek and other publications about the possible nursing specialties. b) Network with colleagues and friends to find nurses in my area of interest.

3. Set time frames and deadlines for two-six week intervals

Example: a)Over the next two weeks I will go to the medical library and read articles about this type of nursing. b) I will contact three to five nurses I know to see if they know other RNs in critical care and ED nursing who I can contact for informational interviews in the future. c) Contact the American Association for Critical-Care Nursing.

4. Reward yourself for each deadline you complete.

Example: Use stars or buy yourself a small treat.

5. List people who you can check in with for support.

Example: Select friends or colleagues.