< PreviousW hether you’re a new or an experi- enced nurse, you may not know where you’ll end your career or even what your next step will be. But with a little guidance, you can find a supportive or- ganization and the opportunities you need to drive your career. Confirm the culture before you say “yes” The single most important decision you make in your nursing career is choosing an organization you can trust with your future. Nursing is an in- credible career because it meets you where you are in life—as long as you partner with the right organization. Use these three steps to help you make the right choice for your future. Step 1: Evaluate up-front offerings In today’s competitive nurse recruitment at- mosphere, many distractions may lure you into taking a position with an organization that’s not right for you. For example, an or- ganization might offer you: • Sign-on bonuses. Large sign-on bonuses may be offered for positions that are con- sidered hard to fill; however, they also can be used in organizations or units with high turnover and less-than-appealing working conditions. Seek to understand the driving force behind the sign-on bonus. •Absence of commitment contracts. Many or- ganizations require a commitment in return for their investment in your education and onboarding, particularly for new graduates completing a residency. An organization that doesn’t require a commitment may not offer much support. Evaluate the value the organization is offering compared to the commitment required. • Scheduling promises. In acute- and subacute- care settings, off-shifts and weekends must be covered. Don’t get hung up on landing the perfect schedule; positioning yourself for a growth opportunity may require that you work a less desirable shift for a while. Step 2: Evaluate leadership Your growth and support within an organiza- tion will depend on its leaders. Take the time to research the organization’s leadership be- fore you commit. •Research the top leaders (chief executive of- ficer, chief nurse executive, chief nursing of- ficer). Find out what these leaders are pas- sionate about. Do their priorities align with yours? • Identify the organization’s mission statement and core values. How do the organization’s mission and values directly impact its culture? • Shadow in the department (if possible). Shadowing is a great way to show you’re seriously interested in a position, network with future colleagues, and gain insight into the department’s environment. • Speak with nurses. Seek out nurses who work in the department you’re interested in. Shadowing will make this easy. • Read reviews . When reading reviews, look for general themes. For example, one employee’s complaint of leadership on the organization’s social media or an employer review website such as Glassdoor shouldn’t dissuade you if most of the reviews are positive. Should you say “yes” to the job? Three steps to finding your dream job. By Jessica Rhoades, MSN, MBA, RN, PCCN 38 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE MyAmericanNurse.com 2020-2021 Education and Career GuideMyAmericanNurse.com June 2020 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE 39 Rowan University Rowan University Department of Nursing Rowan University offers nursing programs in a manner that accommodates the busy schedules of working nurses. We accom- plish this by combining online coursework with hybrid classes (combination of face- to-face and online meetings) and clinical experiences to provide a great balance of convenient scheduling and access to our expert nursing faculty. 856-256-4747 RowanU.com/Health Texas Christian University Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences Whether you are starting or advancing your career, TCU Nursing offers a program to help meet your educational needs. Our innovative BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD pro- grams prepare you to make a difference for others. TCU nurses are well respected leaders and in high demand by healthcare systems across the nation. 817-257-6726 harriscollege.tcu.edu/nursing Teachers College, Columbia University Department of Organization and Leadership Executive Program for Nurses The Executive Program for Nurses with special- izations in Administration and Professorial Stud- ies prepares leaders for roles in healthcare or- ganizations—both in service and education. Graduates of this program will have a major im- pact on nursing and healthcare by influencing other interdisciplinary healthcare providers and learners. Our approach to learning is through open inquiry, scholarly pursuit, and the ability to synthesize knowledge from diverse disciplines. 212-678-3812 kgd2122@tc.columbia.edu tc.columbia.edu/O&L/NurseExec The University of Texas at Arlington The University of Texas at Arlington Col- lege of Nursing and Health Innovation, whose high-quality nursing curriculum has one of the state's highest graduation and licensure rates, offers innovative online education options. Our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs are CCNE accredited and designed to meet the needs of working nurses. 866-489-2810 utanurses.com ONLINE UCLA Health UCAN Elevate Your Career And Our Care Serving in a world of complex clinical issues, such as COVID-19, our nurses rise to every challenge to deliver exceptional, compas- sionate care. As California’s #1 health system with multiple Magnet®-designated hospitals and an unwavering commitment to the highest standards of nursing excellence, UCLA Health is the place where dedicated nurses can make the most of their skill, knowledge and compassion. We invite you to discover how UCan advance the practice and enhance the impact of nursing in our community and throughout the world. uclahealthcareers.org VCU Health Systems VCU Health is a comprehensive system of care and pioneer of health. Our VCU Med- ical Center is a Magnet®-designated hos- pital and the only comprehensive Level I trauma center in the state, verified in adult, pediatric, and burn trauma care. We have more than 830 providers in 200 spe- cialties, the area’s only NCI-designated cancer center, and a full-service children’s hospital. 804-628-4748 beth.hubbard@vcuhealth.org vcuhealth.org/careers San Jose State University School of Information Advance your career with a MS in Informatics degree from San Jose State University. The 30- unit accelerated program starts with a founda- tion focused on human/computer interaction and then builds upon those skills with special- ized health data courses. All classes are con- ducted exclusively online in an interactive and supportive learning environment. Jason Kaltenbacher, jason.kaltenbacher@sjsu.edu ischool.sjsu.edu/ms-informatics University of Maryland School of Nursing Whether you’re starting or advancing your career, UMSON will prepare you to make a positive impact and to become a leader in the field. Offering BSN, RN-to- BSN, RN-to-MSN, CNL, MSN, DNP, and PhD options, we develop professionals who are in high demand by health systems, universities, government agencies, and more. 410-706-0501 (option 2) nursing.umaryland.edu University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene We are the premier nursing and dental hygiene school in Hawaii and the only doctoral/research university-intensive in- stitution dedicated to improving health through education, research, and service. We provide instructional, clinical, and re- search activities to enhance the health- care of diverse populations in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region. 808-956-8939 nursing.hawaii.edu40 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE MyAmericanNurse.com 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide • During your interview, ask questions that fo- cus on growth opportunities. Ask about nursing councils, preceptor opportunities, educational conferences, tuition reimburse- ment, and details of structured clinical ad- vancement. For example, many organiza- tions have a defined clinical ladder. • Seek to understand the benefits package. Be- come knowledgeable about essential bene- fits such as health insurance, and check for benefits that fit with your needs, such as fer- tility benefits if you’re planning a family. • Learn about educational support options. Find out if the organization supports further education, certification, conferences, and other professional opportunities. Step 3: Evaluate workplace environment Take a deep dive into the clinical components of the organization, unit, and position that will shape your day-to-day work experience. •Nurse-to-patient ratios. How many patients are assigned to a nurse during each shift? •Patient acuity. Does the nurse-to-patient ra- tio match the standard based on patient population acuity? For example, an inten- sive care unit’s ratio may be 2:1 while a medical unit’s may be closer to 5:1. • Clinical resources. Does the organization have nurse support services? For example, does it have vascular access nurses, patient transportation assistance, and 24-hour envi- ronmental services support? • Employee satisfaction scores. How do nurses in the organization rank their engagement and satisfaction? Many organizations publish a nursing annual report you can find online. You also may want to ask a few questions about nursing engagement and satisfaction during the interview process. • Nurse engagement. Do frontline nurses sit on systemwide councils? Are they involved in a peer-review process? How are nurses involved in unit performance improvement? After you say “yes” You may have found an organization you trust with your future and started your new job, but your work isn’t done. You must now invest time and energy to develop a relation- ship with your leadership team. Just as care for your patients should be a partnership, forming a partnership with your leaders also is important. Here are a few ways to develop good leadership relationships. • Get involved. Join councils and committees, and find other opportunities to support your unit. • Be a role model. Model good behavior at all times; be reliable, offer support whenever possible, and become known for your posi- tive attitude. • Be open to change. Embrace innovation, in- cluding new processes, equipment, and col- leagues. • Discuss your goals and priorities. Speak with your manager regularly about your profes- sional goals. • Ask for feedback. Seek feedback from man- agers and colleagues and make positive ad- justments in response to what you learn. Continued success and satisfaction The last (and possibly the most important) piece of the puzzle is listening to your own needs. As a nurse, your work options include everything from per diem arrangements to full-time, salaried positions. When you choose the option that best fits your needs, you’re more likely to bring your best to work each day, which ensures future opportunities will be open to you. Take the time to research what’s important to you and what an organization has to offer before you say “yes.” Your future self will thank you. Editor’s note: Learn about Rhoades’ professional journey at myamericannurse.com/?p=67433. Jessica Rhoades is the director of nursing and advanced practice clinician recruitment at ChristianaCare in Wilmington, Delaware. Reference American Association of Colleges of Nursing. What Every Nursing Student Should Know When Seeking Employment. aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Publications/Brochures/ SeekingEmployment.pdfThe UTA College of Nursing and Health Innovation has been named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Center of Excellence in Nursing EducationNext >