THINGS CHANGE... SO WHAT?
Historically the world of work was stable and predictable, people including nurses were encouraged to develop a career plan and then set about achieving it. Often at interviews a key question asked was ‘where do you see yourself in five or even ten years?’.
Now rapid change, not predictability, is the one constant in our working lives. So what does all this mean for nurses? It means if you put too much emphasis on your plan and its goals you will miss the opportunities happening around you all the time. It might also mean you are disappointed as chances are, by the time you have reached the goal in your plan, the position will have been changed or disestablished.
Instead focus on:
- being self aware e.g. what are your interests, strengths, areas of expertise, transferable skills;
- having a broad plan and being prepared to change it if new opportunities come up;
- going about your life looking for the opportunities that are out there or even creating new opportunities that fit with what you know about yourself and what you have to offer a prospective employer.
Debbie Penlington, RN; Grad Dip Career Development; BA (Nursing);MEd; M Couns [email protected]
