As nurses in rapidly evolving, complex work environments, it can be challenging to recognize when we are falling into professional ruts and need to step back and switch our attention from day-to-day tasks to ensuring that our career isn’t managing us, rather we are managing our careers. We are consistently navigating our field and supporting our professional roles, but career management is oftentimes a concept that feels unfamiliar to nurses and takes time and intention to develop. Career management in nursing is a lifelong process of investing resources and planning progress towards accomplis ..read more

The transition from expert clinician to novice educator presents the opportunity to take on a fresh role and make a significant impact on the development of many budding student nurses. It may seem intimidating to start anew as a nursing clinical instructor, especially after functioning as an expert registered nurse for several years. Taking the time to prepare can give you what you need to feel confident and ready for this challenge. We organized some of our essential tips to consider when starting to lay the groundwork to successfully facilitate nursing clinical. Before you begin, look to co ..read more

With significant events taking place throughout the year, planning for workplace functions and festive traditions is ongoing. There is so much beauty in the connection and spirit of gathering in nursing. Let us be open to bringing all of our team members together to join in the fun and celebration by purposefully incorporating something for everyone, including our friends with specific food-related needs. Celebrations surrounding food, while enriching, can be a source of stress and anxiety, especially when the same scenario continues to play out: Most of the team is having a great time bonding ..read more

RESOLVE TO GUIDE Be patient, it is not a race, and it takes time to find the right field, setting, career, and role sometimes, but you will get there! We interviewed Carol Forde-Johnston, a Divisional Recruitment and Retention Nurse Lead at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who is responsible for leading nurse recruitment and retention initiatives. Carol is a Registered Nurse Tutor who is passionate about supporting students and registered and unregistered nurses throughout their careers. She is the author of the books, How to Thrive as a Newly Qualified Nurse and How to Prepar ..read more

This blog post was written by Ayinla Daniel, RN, blogger, writer, digital health enthusiast, and founder of Care City, an online community built around the core idea that nurses should do more in the adventurous world of healthcare innovation and leadership. In this short article, I bring forth an argument that advocates for a change in the nature of nursing education in the developing world. I have written from my purview, my exposures, and experiences as a nurse educated under these same educational systems that I now criticize. The center of my idea in this article is simply built around th ..read more

When preparing for a new education adventure, whether that is an academic program, a clinically-based project, or some other engaging professional development opportunity, you likely take on various forms of planning. Perhaps you start with a written list of goals or an organized calendar, or maybe you pause and brainstorm steps of your anticipated practice. Whatever it is, you likely use the same tried-and-true process that prepared you for success many times before. Today, we propose something different. Let’s look at writing a letter to yourself—a message that includes your goals and plans ..read more

These bookmarks are now available to download from Member Downloads through the Pause, Reflect, and Plan series. For all our fellow bookworms out there, this one's for you! These are also great companions for organizing notes, lecture content, and tasks, especially when some positive motivation may be needed. Print your favorites for you and consider sharing them with a friend or book club too! Ideas: Laminate, hole punch the top and add a textured tie or bow, cut and paste to heavy paper or cardstock, leave as-is and jot down some notes to self on the back...whatever supports you best. With t ..read more

This blog post was written by Carol Forde-Johnston, MSc, RN, PGDipEd, RNT, Recruitment and Retention Nursing Lead at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. If there is one thing 2020 has taught us, it is how important nurse educators are to supporting students and staff during a pandemic. Nurse educators are invaluable to students and nursing teams who rely on our wisdom, understanding, and skills to direct and support individuals. Never before has this been more important than during the challenging times we have experienced across health and social care this last year, and con ..read more

RESOLVE TO ADVOCATE Don’t get stuck in the mindset that nurses are only at the bedside—try something new or trail-blaze your own path. We interviewed Susan Kelly, allergy and immunology nurse, advocate, and former VP of Education for the national nonprofit allergy organization FAACT, The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in public health from Hofstra University. Her nursing career includes nine years of clinical work in the hospital setting, along with five years in private practice for an allergist and immunologist. Susan identifies ..read more

We hope today’s post finds you well and enjoying the changing season. Life has been pretty hectic lately and navigating hurdles seems to be par for the course these days, so we thought we would bring in a focus on wellness today. While new challenges bring multiple opportunities to learn and grow, being lifelong learners should also apply to learning about our own selves as well and exploring what we need to feel whole and balanced. Self-care Sunday is great, and it has it’s place as a nice weekly reminder to do something healthy for ourselves, but weekly is not enough; we need to work out way ..read more