The nursing profession has evolved faster than any other occupation in the healthcare industry. Nurses are no longer just responsible for providing bedside care to the patient. Now, they can even work in managerial and leadership positions where they supervise a team of healthcare workers and ensure a facility’s smooth running.
Since modern medicine and technology are progressing rapidly, the healthcare sector is fast moving towards innovative advancements. Personalized treatments, early disease detection, nanotechnology, and stem cell research are only a few examples of what this contemporary era of healthcare has to offer.
However, none of these benefits the patient until a skillful and qualified professional can overlook them and ensure everyone has access to the appropriate services. This is where a nurse leader or a manager comes in. Besides making decisions that directly impact patient care, they also weigh the pros and cons of implementing changes at a larger scale, such as public health.
Working as a nurse leader can be demanding, exciting, challenging, and sometimes even exhausting. But the rewards you receive, either in the form of a lucrative salary or by being in a position to help others, are unmatchable.
So, if you’re intrigued and want to learn how to become a nurse leader, follow these seven easy steps to kickstart your professional career.
1. Get the relevant qualification
After earning an undergraduate degree in nursing, you must pursue a master’s in nursing leadership. Nurse leaders are highly educated professionals with the knowledge and expertise to handle various situations in a healthcare setting. But while there is no set path to becoming a nurse leader, you must obtain relevant degrees and certifications to work in this position. Besides equipping you with medical knowledge, these qualifications teach various leadership styles in nursing that can prove paramount for your career.
It might take seven to eight years to complete all the qualifications and become eligible for a nurse leader job. The more certifications and courses you obtain over the years, the better qualified you will be for this position.
2. Join an organization
Nursing organizations like the American Nurses Association, International Council of Nurses, or the NAPNAP Foundation are the perfect platforms to build your career. These groups offer training and courses covering clinical specialties, general nursing, and administrative roles. When you join such organizations, you’re in the prime position to interact and connect with other like-minded nurses and professionals in your field.
Being a member of a vital nursing organization captivates potential employers and improves your chances of securing leadership positions. Although you’re free to join as many organizations as you like, you mustn’t overburden yourself. Try to become active in the ones you join and make the most of each organization’s opportunities.
3. Build on your skills
As a nurse, your education is a process of continual improvement. With advancements and innovative technology coming to light each day, your learning never ends. If you stop keeping up with the latest trends, your skills will soon grow outdated and leave you with little to no career prospects. Therefore, to become a nurse leader, you must ensure you acquire new skills and build on the ones you already have.
Most nursing professionals make the mistake of only acquiring technical skills for a potential job. However, soft skills are equally important, if not more. Soft skills help you interact better with your patients and ensure the efficiency and productivity of everyday operations in a healthcare setting. If you work on developing communication, problem-solving, decision-making, teamwork, leadership, and organizational skills—you’ll have better chances of landing a managerial job.
4. Find a mentor
Whichever career pathway you take, finding a mentor from the relevant field can be highly beneficial for your professional growth. And so, having a nursing mentor is no different. Their vast experience and industry knowledge over the years can prove extremely valuable for your progress. They can offer you the appropriate guidance, help you avoid potential pitfalls, and shape your career the way you want.
When finding a mentor, you must be careful of who you pick. While it’s apparent to choose someone you admire and respect, it’s essential you also feel comfortable around them. If you hesitate and worry about asking their opinion, they aren’t the right choice for you. Finding a mentor in a leadership position might be your best bet as a nurse leader. You don’t have to follow their route to a t, but knowing where and how they started can be just as valuable.
5. Climb the clinical ladder
Nurses are in a unique position to work towards their career advancement while still performing in their current job roles. This structured system, known as a clinical ladder, recognizes professional growth among various nursing levels and professionals.
Depending on your designation, you’ll get assigned various tasks and assignments. For some nurses, this might include attending meetings and developing nurse schedules, while for others, it might include creating projects and making policies. You might have to discuss with your current manager or department head to see where you stand on the clinical ladder and what you can do to progress further.
6. Network
As a nurse leader, your work and responsibilities are no longer limited to just your patients. You must also serve the population at a larger scale by implementing public health policies, building projects, and taking critical initiatives. All this requires a powerful team of collaborators and professionals who can support your plans and help you polish them in the best way possible. And so, to surround yourself with these like-minded individuals, it’s essential you network with relevant health workers as much as possible.
Networking also provides excellent opportunities for prospective job positions and improves chances for career advancement. You’re more likely to get hired for a nurse leader’s role when a hospital administrator knows you personally and has networked with you in the past.
7. Volunteer for leadership roles
To become a nurse leader, you must be ready to volunteer for leadership roles whenever they arise and in whatever capacity they may be. For instance, organizing a fundraiser or conducting a blood drive at your hospital might not be as glamorous as running a hospital. Still, it’s the right step toward your desired career path. The experience you acquire from these opportunities will provide you with excellent lessons and skills you can eventually implement as a nurse leader.
Conclusion
Nurse leaders work in a fast-paced and high-stakes environment throughout the day, every day. You must therefore keep your skills and knowledge polished and gain as much experience as possible when opting for this career path. And while becoming a nurse leader may vary from region to region, this guide can help you prepare for it regardless of the healthcare setting you’ll end up working in.
