The time has come. You’re about to enroll in a new healthcare program. Or, perhaps you’re transitioning to a more advanced position in healthcare. Either way, you’re excited because you’re about to embark on a new venture. Suddenly, fear creeps in, as you question whether you’re truly ready for this journey. You wonder whether you’re up for the challenges that will accompany your new role.
It’s normal to second-guess yourself. I’ve been there, too.
When I first started out as a registered nurse, I dealt with numerous challenges that caused my confidence to fluctuate. But with perseverance, I overcame these obstacles. Over time, it became clear to me that my journey would have been less frustrating had I been more prepared. Besides obtaining a degree in nursing, I had no real strategy in terms of my career.
I’ve learned that you can increase your chances of success in healthcare by building a career strategy based on goals, guidance, and networking.
1. Goals keep you grounded
American poet and historian Bill Copeland once said, “The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score.”
So, the first order of business is to create long- and short-term goals for your healthcare career.
Long-term goals
Long-term goals take at least one year to achieve. When setting them, ask yourself: Where do I want to be one, five, or even 10 years from now?
For example, do you want to:
- Attain a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree in a healthcare field?
- Become an executive or leader for a healthcare organization?
- Be a top healthcare keynote speaker?
- Earn at least six figures?
To reach your long-term goals, you will need to set incremental goals, which are essentially building blocks or stepping stones. You can also break down your long-term goals into a series of short-term goals.
Short-term goals
Short-term goals are accomplished in less than one year, and should be aimed at helping you achieve your long-term goals.
Examples of short-term goals include:
- Joining a public speaking group
- Improving your work performance
- Strengthening your team-work abilities
- Gaining insider industry knowledge via an entry-level or volunteer position
Be SMART when creating goals
The SMART goal setting model lets you establish Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based goals, whether for the long or short term.
Let’s say you’re a registered nurse (RN) on the verge of becoming a family nurse practitioner (FNP). Using the SMART goal setting model might look something like this for you:
- Specific: Be clear about what you want to achieve, e.g., I want to become an FNP who works in a rural health clinic.
- Measurable: Establish milestones for reaching your goal, e.g., I will finish this semester, which will bring me another step closer to graduating. Additionally, I will shadow at least two rural health providers to increase my clinical knowledge.
- Achievable: See if you have the resources (such as money and time) to meet the goal now, or whether it needs to be postponed. Also, make sure the goal is realistic, e.g., I will change my work status to part-time, which will allow me to focus on my RN-MSN program as well as networking opportunities.
- Relevant: Ensure the goal aligns with your long-term objectives, e.g., Finishing my program and networking with providers will help me get my dream job as a rural health FNP.
- Time-Based: Prioritize your goal by setting a deadline to achieve it, e.g., I will successfully complete my RN-MSN program by the anticipated graduation date. Further, I will have a job offer waiting for me when I pass my board exam.
As you set out to achieve your SMART goals, you may face obstacles that provoke self-doubt and insecurity. Fortunately, you don’t have to battle these hurdles on your own. A mentor can support you and help fast-track your journey to success.
