Main description:

This textbook provides a one-stop reference resource and guide for nurses interested in advancing their careers. It addresses self-assessment, goal setting and self-discipline, as well as academic paths and non-academic career paths, and includes two chapters on strategic path development, covering internal motivation, risk taking, work-life balance, work environment, networking, professional membership and mentorship. Lastly, the book discusses professional growth topics such as civility, burnout, professional development and "keeping informed," and explores specific professionalism topics like professional behavior, ethics, social media and executive presence.

Intended for nurses at any level, this textbook examines topics relevant to today's nursing professionals and offers guidance on building a successful nursing career. It also helps student nurses create a path for their career and professional growth, both during their training program and beyond.

Contents:

Preface Introduction
Section I: Plotting your career pathChapter 1: Self-Assessment1. Self-Assessmenta. Valuesb. Beliefsc. Skillsd. Visione. Strengths and WeaknessesThis chapter will address the first step in career advancement, which begins with self-assessment. The various concepts associated with self-assessment will be described. Strategies for completing self-assessments will be described. Through suggested activities throughout the chapter, readers will be encouraged to complete their own self-assessments. Sample vignettes depicting example self-assessments will be included. Novice and Senior nursing student assessments strategies will both be addressed in this chapter.
Chapter 2: Goal Setting and Self Discipline2. Goal Settinga. Where are you now (present)? b. Where do you want to be (future)? c. What is the path to achieve future goals? d. Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound goals3. Self-Disciplinea. Creating good habitsb. Consistencyc. Long term vs short term thinkingd. Organizatione. AdaptabilityThis chapter builds upon chapter 1 and moves into goal setting. The reader will explore concepts associated with goal setting which will include the assessment of one's present career and future career plans. The elements of a well-constructed goal will be described. The self-discipline needed to achieve goals will be incorporated along with the concepts associated with self-discipline. Strategies for goal setting and self-discipline will be incorporated throughout the chapter. Through suggested activities provided, the reader will work through setting goals and managing self-discipline. Sample vignettes depicting example goal setting and self discipline will be included.
Section II: Building your career pathChapter 3: Professional Nursing Career Paths: the non-academic path a. Certificationi. Benefits of certification ii. the path to successfully certifyiii. descriptions of the most common nurse certifications b. Promotion Chapter 3 will focus on describing non-academic paths such as moving up in an organization (promotion) and obtaining certification in nursing. Strategies for navigating through various non-academic career paths, such as moving into nurse management, specialization, and administration) will be described as well as strategies for successful certification. Through suggested activities provided throughout the chapter, the reader will explore what strategies they plan to use to build their career path in professional nursing practice. Sample vignettes depicting example the certification and promotion path will be included.
Chapter 4: Professional Nursing Career Paths: the academic pathc. BSNd. Masterse. DNPf. PhDg. Advanced Practice i. APRNii. Non-APRNThis chapter will describe the various types of academic career paths. Each "path" will be described to facilitate the identification of which path matches the readers self-assessment and interests identified in chapter 1. Strategies for navigating through various academic career paths such as nurse researcher, advanced practice registered nurse, and nurse educators will be described. Through suggested activities throughout the chapter, readers will explore what strategies they plan to use to build their career path. Sample vignettes depicting example academic trajectories will be included. Novice and Senior nursing student assessments strategies will both be addressed in this chapter.
Section III: Strategic path developmentChapter 5: Charting YOUR Career Path: internal strategiesa. internal motivationb. risk taking c. work life balanceThis chapter begins to move in to the reader advancing THEIR career. Now that goals have been identified, and information regarding career paths have been explained, the reader needs to explore some of the internal (internal motivation, risk taking, work life balance, etc.) issues surrounding career advancement. This chapter will describe those critical internal strategies that can affect success in advancing their career. Strategies for exploring internal motivation, risk taking and work life balance will be described. Through suggested activities throughout the chapter, the reader will build upon the goals identified in chapter 2 and incorporate internal motivation, risk taking and work life balance into their goals. Sample vignettes depicting example internal strategies will be included. Novice and Senior nursing student assessments strategies will both be addressed in this chapter.

Chapter 6: Charting YOUR Career Path: external strategies and issuesa. networkingb. professional organization membership and participation c. work environmentsd. mentorsa. formalb. informal This chapter complements with chapter five and moves into the external strategies and issues surrounding career advancement such as networking, professional organization membership, work environments, and mentorship. Strategies for exploring networking, professional organization membership, work environments and mentors will be described. Through suggested activities throughout the chapter, the reader will build upon the goals identified in chapter 2 and incorporate networking, professional organizing membership and mentorship into their goals. Sample vignettes depicting example external strategies will be included. Novice and Senior nursing student assessments strategies will both be addressed in this chapter.

Chapter 7: The basics of Professional Growth a. First, be kind b. Civilityc. BurnoutThis chapter addresses concepts that can support or hinder professional growth. These topics are relevant for today's professional nurse and are evidence based. The reader will be exposed to the topics and how they can support or hinder professional growth while advancing ones nursing career. Strategies for exploring civility, burnout and remembering the basics such as being kind will be described. Through suggested activities throughout the chapter, the reader will build upon the goals identified in chapter 2 and incorporate kindness, civility and burnout prevention into their goals. Sample vignettes depicting example the basics of professional growth will be included. Novice and Senior nursing student assessments strategies will both be addressed in this chapter.

Chapter 8: Ensuring Continued Professional Growtha. Leadership development b. keeping current c. Ongoing professional developmentThis chapter builds upon the basics in chapter 7 and further describes concepts which support ensuring continued professional growth such as leadership development, keeping current in one's specialty area, strategies for ongoing professional development, and networking. Strategies for exploring leadership development, keeping current, ongoing professional development will be described. Through suggested activities throughout the chapter, the reader will build upon the goals identified in chapter 2 and incorporate leadership development, keeping current, and ongoing professional development into their goals. Sample vignettes depicting example continued professional growth will be included. Novice and Senior nursing student assessments strategies will both be addressed in this chapter.

Chapter 9: Professionalisma. Professional behaviorb. Ethicsc. Social mediad. Executive PresenceThis final chapter addresses nursing professionalism concepts such as professional behaviour, ethics, social media and executive presence. Each of these concepts will be described and the connection they have with advancing ones nursing career will be explained. Strategies for exploring professional behaviours, ethics, social media management and executive presence will be described. Through suggested activities throughout the chapter, the reader will build upon the goals identified in chapter 2 and incorporate acceptable professional behaviours, ethics, acceptable social media management and executive presence into their goals. Sample vignettes depicting example professionalism will be included. Novice and Senior nursing student assessments strategies will both be addressed in this chapter.