volved in new surgical techniques.”11


Because shewas already viewed as


the technology “guru” on her unit, she knew she had a transferable skill. She was also pleased to see “skill in providing comfort measures to the patient,” which reassured her that the OR isn’t just about technology; it’s also about the patient. Research. Now that you have a potential specialty in mind, you


need to learn more about it through several different strategies. You might begin, as Karen did, by Googling the specialty to find resourc- es and reading the journals targeted toward perioperative nurses. Karen also tapped into social media; she “liked” the Association of periOperative Nurses on Facebook and followed the association on Twitter. She found several perioperative nurses who blogged, and she read their entries. Another search technique is attending local chapter meetings of the


specialty association, which Karen did. This provided her the opportu- nity to learn more about the types of nurses who enjoy perioperative nursing. If you have funds, consider attending a national convention of the specialty association you are interested in. You might also attend career fairs,where you can find nurses working in your desired specialty and employers who might offer internships.17 Karen then felt ready to conduct informational interviews. Informa-


tional interviews allow you to learn more about a specialty in a “safe” setting because you are not looking for a job—you are looking to learn. Karen contacted nurses in theORof the hospitalwhere she practiced to set up time to talk. She also interviewed nurses she met at the chapter meetings. Another tactic is to interview faculty members who teach in the specialty area you’re interested in. If the specialty is available in the organization where you work, you


might want to arrange to shadow a nurse who does the job you aspire to or at least tour the department or unit. Enlist your current man- ager’s support; most want to see employees satisfied and will provide support and guidance to help a nurse explore another option within the same organization. You should also check out the hospital’s policy for internal transfers. Extensive research enables you to paint a detailed picture of the


specialty so that you can make a final decision as to whether it’s a good fit or if you need to go back to the drawing board to research other specialties. It also helps clear up misconceptions about a specialty. For example, you might think you would like to move from dialysis to the ED but worry about giving up patient teaching. However, your research shows that patient education is an integral part of the ED nurse’s day, and the short time frames for teaching will provide new challenges. In Karen’s case, her concerns about not having any OR experience


were allayed once she learned that many hospitals recognize the need to support those who are changing specialties and offer orientation and preceptor programs for those new to the OR to make the transi- tion easier. Do not assume that internships are just for new graduates. Many hospitals offer internships for experienced nurses transferring to OR or other high acuity areas. Karen’s research helped her realize that perioperative nursing was a good fit for her.


Prepare for the change Once you have chosen your specialty, assess what you need to do to set yourself up to make the change. Look at the specialty’s standards of care and core curriculum for certification. This information is usually available from the specialty national association or the American Nurses


2016 • Visit us at NURSE.com 35


John Miller has been a staff nurse in oncology for eight years; he works on an inpatient oncology unit. John is considering changing his specialty to emer- gency nursing and is unsure about how to do that. After asking himself a key question, he performs a self-inventory and conducts research, including informational interviews. He finds that his knowledge provides a sound basis for working in the ED and lands a job with a formalized internship program and built-in support.


1. What was the key question John asked him- self?


a. Will I be more employable if I make this change?


b. What is the national organization for emer- gency nursing?


c. How can I sign up for LinkedIn? d. Do I really need a change?


2. Which of the following is a question John like- ly asked during his informational interviews?


a. What is your typical day like? b. Which companies are hiring? c. Where do I obtain a job application? d. Could you provide a reference for me?


3. A soft skill that may have been on John’s list is:


a. Starting central line b. Administering IV medications


c. Organizing his work group to write a new policy


d. Disposing of chemotherapy equipment correctly


4. Which will help John achieve success in his new ED position?


a. Understanding that he will begin at a differ- ent expertise level


b. Understanding that he will be able to serve as an expert clinician


c. Listing all the things that contributed to his errors in a journal


d. Listing in a journal all the negative com- ments he received


Answers


1. D—John first needs to know if he really wants a change or if he is simply unhap- py with his current position.


2. A—At this stage, John should just collect information and not seek help to land a job.


3. C—Soft skills are not technical skills.


4. A—When changing specialties, it takes time to become an expert.


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