Sometimes when you’re feeling stuck in your nursing career is to focus on how far you’ve come instead of where you want to go. Yes, I write a lot about envisioning the nursing job of your dreams… yet if you’re frustrated by the lack of forward movement or the lack of completed goals… it can be helpful to visit the past. Looking back on your history as a nurse can totally lift your spirits.
I was walking into the hospital today and for some reason I started to think about the only dead body I have ever seen…
During nursing school, I worked (or tried to… it was amazing how often I called out- I HATED it) as a tech just to gain some ‘real-life hospital’ experience. I remember it vividly. The charge nurse called me over and asked me to go into room 312 to help the nurse prepare the body for transfer.
The body? I was mortified.
I had never seen a dead person before and felt very awkward in the situation. What if I broke him? Would his eyes suddenly pop open? (And oh yes, they did!) The nurse was actually very comfortable with it and, to be honest with you, laughed a bit at me. I felt very, very stupid.
How was I to know what a dead person would be like? What they would do? Without any real life experience, it was all new to me.
As I laughed at myself and continued to walk up the stairs to my office, I realized how far I had come. There was nursing school… my job as a tech… my various professional nursing roles since then. (I even found an old newsletter in my email from when I put out the monthly newsletter on my psych unit. I couldn’t believe it… I had created and circulated our unit newsletter for four years!)
That’s just one nurse’s experience.Â
If you’re feeling let down by the nursing profession, unsure of the nursing career alternative to choose, or as though you’re stuck in a role that will never change- get out of your own head and present experiences for a moment. And if you’re looking to change your nursing job, but not having too much success- quit obsessing over the future for the time being.
Look how far you’ve come. Take a moment to write down the things that you used to be scared of. Makes notes of the places  you would laugh at your actions now. What have you learned over these years as a nurse? How have you grown? It’s a really helpful exercise to do and one I would recommend when your beating yourself up over a lack of perceived progress.
Trust me, the growth is there. The forward movement is happening. You are progressing, achieving and moving forward each and every day. It’s just that sometimes we are too close to our own experiences that we cannot really see them for what they are.
I’d love to hear from you. Where are you now and how far have you come? Do you have a story that makes you laugh at yourself like my dead body one above? Let’s hear the nursing growth that you’ve experience. Go ahead and leave a comment below. Thanks for reading and enjoy the day.Â
2 major areas of growth in my 33 year career. I saw my clinical and personal growth after completing my BSN ( 15 years ago). My patient assessments and critical thinking skills are much better. I now have come to recognize and behave in a way that takes nurtures and cares for the nursing team I work with. I have tried several times but was never content in a position that took me far from the bedside. So now the question I ask of myself and peers why shouldn’t the MSN (class of 2003) prepared nurse work at the bedside? Is my degree really wasted as many have told me? I’ve only ever been a nurse – there in nothing else I would ever want to do.
I have similar feeling regarding the MSN at the bedside. A couple days ago I was reunited with a friend from nursing school, we graduated in 2008. She worked 3 years at the bedside and when we met up the other day told me she hasn’t been at the bedside since 2011(she teaches full time) i am enrolled in a MSN program and keep questioning why am I doing it ,because I don’t ever want to leave the bedside. It’s great to have an advanced degree and function in other roles besides bedside nursing but I get very sad thinking of how many nurses go to grad school to just flee the bedside. I don’t think the MSN is wasted as a bedside nurse, yes it isn’t required to work at the bedside, but the advanced degree helps our profession and a master prepared nurse is most likely better prepared to participate in research and leadership roles within the unit. Not necessarily accepting a management role, but leading projects on the unit to improve patient care and nursing education, staying at the bedside with the advanced degree keeps you current clinically so you are “practicing what you preach”
Barb,
This is great. To be able to reflect back and see how far you’ve come… this is what will give you the energy, stamina and drive to answer those challenging questions you are currently asking yourself. If there is nothing else you want to do- other than being a nurse (how noble!)- then that is perfect. So often we fall into the trap of judging or comparing (I know, as a nurse entrepreneur I am constantly looking at what my peers do and have done and think… I’m so far behind!). Keep grounded in what you enjoy and feel called to do and you will thrive.
Thank you for your comments,
Elizabeth
Great advice Elizabeth regarding the judging and comparing. I have to remind myself daily to accept where I am and not compare my journey to anyone else. I get so much inspiration from fellow nurse entrepreneurs but the human in me can’t help it sometimes. Thankful for my yoga practice because it has helped me so much with judging and comparing myself to others
You said it. It’s part looking to others for ideas, wisdom and guidance. And then leaving the part that is not us… allowing us to step into our authentic selves. Oh, Tiffany… so glad to connect with you. We have a lot in common, it sounds like!
Great post and great advice! I have kept a blog since beginning my nursing career. it has been so helpful to look back when I get frustrated, feeling like I am not where I am supposed to be in my career. As you said, looking back always brings me comfort and makes me feel proud and accept where I am. Often on my blog I write down little goals too, sometimes forgetting these goals until I look back and without even realizing I was working on them, I have accomplished them.
Hi Tiffany,
Great example. A blog is like a kind of journal. One that often speaks to where we are at in that present time. I agree, I love going through old blog posts to see what I used to write about. And see how far I’ve come. And to laugh at myself, of course. Thanks for coming by and taking the time to comment. I am going to check out your blog.
Elizabeth
Oh Duh! I have seen your eBook. I didn’t know you had a blog up now. Great job, Tiffany!