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KEITH CARLSON BSN, RN, NC-BC


Network like a pro Why would you choose to network if your nursing career was in the dol- drums? Because talking with other nurses engaged in interesting endeavors can inspire you to expand your think- ing and consider more options for the direction of your career. Encountering nurses who are fired up about what they do can deeply impact your sense of what’s possible. Online networking is a great place


tomeet like-minded healthcare profes- sionals, expand the collective genius of your professional network and open up new avenues. Whether you’re networking on


LinkedIn or attending local nursing association meetings, enjoy how new perspectives open your mind. Use in- formational interviews as amore formal method of one-to-one networkingwith professionals with whom you feel an affinity (these can be done in person, or by Skype or phone). Be sure to also reach out to people


already in your network; don’t overlook the gold that’s right under your nose. Ask for help, seek advice and be candid about the state of your career if you feel comfortable doing so. Networking doesn’t just expand your


stable of contacts, but it also expands your vision.When you’re bored or oth-


28 JANUARY/FEBRUARY2016 • WEST


your nursing career


If your nursing career is feeling uninspired or flaccid, here are four suggestions for grabbing your nursing career by the horns.


erwise unchallenged, you can become myopic. Talking with others is a breath of fresh air in a career that feels stifling.


Look for inspiration in unlikely places You can seek inspiration from newand existing members of your network; you also can look for inspiration in places completely unrelated to nursing. If you need inspiration, find biographical movies and documentaries


about famous people who overcame adversity or created unique lives for themselves. TED talks are an amazing source of high-quality presentations on a


variety of subjects. The TED archive provides hours of presentations that will stimulate your thinking and help you to significantly expand your vision of what’s possible. Books are another venue for new ways of thinking, whether fiction or


non-fiction. The earnest nurse in search of an expanded mind has much to glean from the written word.


Keep learning Curiosity and learning are closely related, and one can naturally lead to the other. For instance, if you’re curious about nurse entrepreneurship, you can easily learn about current trends from blogs, articles, podcasts and conferences on the subject. An engaged mind is less likely to be bored or feel stifled, so consider how


to keep learning so your nursing career feels fed and watered. Use your natural curiosity and desire for learning as tools for rebooting a career or choosing a new direction.


Remain open Open-mindedness is key. From networking and unlikely inspirations to a desire for learning, there are many ways to expand your sense of what’s possible in your nursing career. If you take off your blinders and remain open to possibility, there’s no telling how your career will blossom. •


Keith Carlson, BSN, RN, NC-BC, Nurse.com’s career advice columnist, is the board-certified nurse coach behind NurseKeith.com.


reboot


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