Get Your ABSN

If you are a registered nurse but are not in the possession of a BSN (Bachelor or Science in Nursing), you may struggle to obtain the promotion or pay raise that you seek. Generally, BSN qualified nurses earn more than registered nurses, have a great number of responsibilities, and are the first to be considered for supervisory roles.

Up until now, you may have been hesitant to study further in an effort to obtain your BSN. Why go back to school when you are already working full-time in your dream position? The reality is that you need not study for four more years in order to take that step if you opt to study an ABSN online.

An ABSN, or accelerated BSN, is a qualification that you can obtain within one year of study if you are willing to put in the extra work and focus.

Online accelerated BSN nursing programs promise you a great degree of flexibility when it comes to your studies and they place a strong emphasis on the practical aspects of working as a nurse. While you will have a certain amount of coursework to get through and some deadlines to meet, you will largely be able to work at your own pace.

The majority of online accelerated BSN programs will require you to accumulate over 700 hours working in a clinic or hospital setting under the watchful eye of a mentor, whereas the theory side is usually done and dusted in a matter of a few weeks.

Luckily, there are several renowned online learning institutions offering access to ABSN courses all around the world, such as Baylor University based in Texas. So, be sure to do your research in terms of your options and select an online university that you know will look impressive on your resume/CV going forward.

Focus on Networking

When it comes to advancing your career, regardless of the industry in which you operate, networking goes a long way. Be sure to attend various industry-relevant events and try to connect with other healthcare professionals. These should be professionals working both in the same clinic or hospital as you, as well as healthcare professionals who are working further afield.

By creating and nurturing these connections, not only will you likely be the first to know of any potential job opportunities, but you will also have the chance to connect with like-minded individuals and work together to solve problems and overcome challenges. There will be plenty of opportunities to exchange ideas and opinions, and to learn from one another, too.

Spruce Up Your Resume/CV

Your resume/CV acts as a representation of who you are and could make or break how potential employers see you. Therefore, it is so important to pay attention to perfecting it in terms of content and structure. Here are some tips:

  • Avoid lengthy paragraphs and too many pages. Focus on your strong points and steer clear of too much detail. You want to impress the employer, but also encourage them to get in touch with you to learn more.
  • Pay a professional to proofread it. There is nothing more off-putting than grammar and spelling errors in a resume or CV. It can lead the employer to write you off as careless or not serious enough to fill the position that they have on offer. On the other hand, a perfectly written and structured resume/CV demonstrates attention to detail and a strong desire to live up to expectations.
  • Ensure that you label your resume or CV correctly (with your full name) and that you save it as PDF document. A PDF file eliminates the risk of the potential employer viewing the document in a different styling, format, font, etc.
  • Download a free template online. This is a great idea if you want your CV/resume to look professional, but still to stand out from the crowd.

Work on Your Personal Skills

A world-class nurse is not born, he/she is made. Keep in mind just how important certain characteristics are when it comes to succeeding within this profession. You will need to be exceptionally dedicated, empathetic, and caring. However, there are also a wide array of other skills that can set you up to take the next steps and gradually ‘climb the ranks’. Spend time working on the following:

  • Training yourself to be more mindful and to listen deeply
  • Adapting your style of communication to be more assertive
  • Training yourself to learn how to respond instead of react in the face of criticism
  • Learning not to take criticism personally, and how to use it for growth and personal advancement
  • Learning how to inspire and motivate yourself in the midst of trying times
  • Learning how to connect with patients and how to pay attention to both their physical and psychological needs
  • Learning how to be more self-aware

Find a Mentor

Is there another, more experienced nurse with whom you work that you have a deep level of admiration for? Perhaps you look up to your supervisor? Either way, an excellent approach to bolstering your career is to ask someone who is successful within your field — or where you eventually want your career to progress — to mentor and guide you along the way. A mentor can teach you new skills, answer any questions that you may have, and generally help to mold you into a better version of yourself, both from a personal and professional perspective.

At the end of the day, it is easy to start taking the next steps in your career if you are willing to put in the work to become a formidable healthcare professional. Best of luck!