Editor’s Note
CAReer Maintenance

Make sure you’re doing preventive career maintenance

August 27, 1998
Illustration by Malcolm Garris/PhotoDisc

I got a call from a good friend the other day who was absolutely frustrated with her workplace. The census was varying widely, and the hospital was sending nurses home early—without pay—to meet the budget. "What can I do?" she asked. I told her she should avoid going for a quick, Band-Aid solution. Instead, she should sit down and plan an overhaul for her career. Even cars get a thorough look at 60,000 miles.

We talked about what it would take for her to go back to school to pick up the few remaining units she needs for her bachelor’s degree. I encouraged her to think about what jobs and new roles might interest her, especially after she earns that degree. We also talked about ways she could work within her hospital now to constructively improve her working situation.

That’s the kind of tune-up everyone needs from time to time. And yet most of us don’t devote any time to refueling our careers this way. Even when everything seems to be going well, it’s wise to make sure there isn’t a dried-out hose under the hood or a soft tire. It’s easy to go from year to year without taking a comprehensive look at what you’re doing and where you’re going. With the pace of the workplace lately, five-year goals can seem too far ahead to be useful or real, and the daily demands can be so daunting that there isn’t much energy left to dream.

It’s wise to pack the right emergency tools in the trunk. For some that may mean education or certification; for others, it could involve a brush-up on how to search for a job online or how to ace a job interview. As for a road map, it’s smart to understand what opportunities might be opening up in your specialty and how you can be ready to pursue them when they arise. Once you’re looking for a new job, it’s great to know how to compare not just salaries, but benefits, and to learn more about the organization you’re considering before you walk through the door. And just as you check the weather before you begin a long trip, it’s wise to check what the experts are predicting about emerging shortages and the marketplace for healthcare occupations and professions in the next decade.

Considering the value of our skills, experience, and education, it’s amazing how little attention we give our own futures. That’s why the staff at NurseWeek have produced this very special guide. It’s time to care for your career.

Barbara Bronson Gray, MN, RN
Editor in Chief