Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
One of the things that I'vediscovered is that we need a
path.
We need a path, but we can'tnecessarily get a path until we
get clarity and self-awareness,the path is not going to be
straight.
It's not going to be linear.
It's not gonna be A to B, and wehave to be okay with that if we
(00:23):
really want a career that isgoing to be impactful.
Are you feeling stuck in yourcurrent clinical environment?
Do you want to make a change inyour nursing career, but not
sure what to do next?
Exhausted, burnt out, and maybeeven ready for different
leadership?
(00:43):
I'm Bonnie Meadows, a boardified clinical nurse specialist,
influential leader, careercoach, and wellbeing coach.
Being in the nursing andhealthcare profession since
2004, I have felt stuck andunsure about what was next for
me.
I wanted to be fulfilled in mypurpose, to have a voice at the
(01:03):
table and to be a resource forothers.
I kept telling myself I wantedmore, but didn't have the
direction I needed until I foundclarity and career growth
strategies for experiencednurses like.
Me.
In this podcast, you will findsimple tactical steps that allow
you to gain the clarity you needsolutions for how to grow even
(01:27):
without supportive leadershipand guidelines for setting
boundaries at work so that youcan grow purposefully in your
career as a nurse with agraduate degree who makes a huge
impact in the profession.
So get ready to trade yourscrubs for yoga pants, pop in
those earbuds and let's chat.
Hello, my fellow nurses.
(01:48):
It's good to be back with youagain this week.
I have a, topic that will extendfrom the conversation we had
last week.
To really talk about careerclarity and what does that
really mean and what do you needin order to get the clarity that
(02:09):
you would like to have.
When talking about careerclarity and understanding, um,
when you feel stuck and need ahigher level of awareness to get
unstuck.
One of the things that I'vediscovered is that we need a
path.
(02:30):
We need a path, but we can'tnecessarily get a path until we
get clarity and self-awareness,the path is not going to be
straight.
It's not going to be linear.
It's not gonna be A to B, and wehave to be okay with that if we
really want a career that isgoing to be impactful.
(02:51):
We go from care plans, clientroadmaps, mind maps,
evidence-based guidelines,procedures and clinical
guidelines.
When we're in the clinicalsetting and when we are a nurse,
every step of our clinical workis mapped out for us, but then
we get into the world of otherareas of healthcare and it's not
(03:13):
as rigid.
However, there is still aprocess.
To map out the implementationplan, write a note for the
patient navigate thedifferential diagnosis and write
the policy.
What we don't get is a roadmapor a plan for our careers.
So in this episode today, I amgiving you a roadmap you can
(03:37):
follow to assist you with someclarity for your career.
Have you ever wondered what'snext for me in my nursing
career?
If so, you're not alone.
And more than likely, that's whyyou're listening to this podcast
and that's why you're heretoday.
So today I'm diving into thecareer clarity roadmap.
(03:58):
It's a simple way to identifywhere you are and what steps to
take next because what I'vefound in my conversations with
nurses and in my coaching.
Usually the crux of the issue isthat you don't necessarily know
where you are.
(04:21):
You're just trying to muddlethrough and figure it out.
So I have come to put a name, alabel on, here's where I am.
And then what steps do I needto, and then I'm gonna give you
a few pieces on working on whatsteps you need to take next.
So I found in my coaching, thereare five stages in a career
(04:44):
where you need clarity.
Those five stages are asfollows, feeling stuck,
exploring, preparing.
Advancing and growth.
These five stages are specificto the nurse making steps
towards a graduate degree orthose with a graduate degree
(05:05):
seeking more, not necessarilyanother graduate degree, but
more they can do to make animpact.
More of the work that they enjoyversus the work that's just
handed to them and just, I'll doit'cause I have the degree to do
it and the skills to do it.
The path for a nurse makingsteps towards a graduate degree
(05:27):
is probably a bit more definedthan those already with a
graduate degree.
We, I, and I will tell you thisbecause I, I have two graduate
degrees.
And in the process of makingplans to go back and get a
doctorate.
But my thought process in goingback and get, getting my
doctorate is different.
(05:49):
And, and, and then the fact, andso I'll start with me.
I, I will say.
I knew that I was already goingto get, go back and get a
doctorate, but I, after mysecond degree, after my second
master's, I really had to think,what am I going to do with this
degree?
Most people walk into the DNPand or the PhD and say, oh,
(06:15):
well.
This degree is going to help meget the job I want or this, that
and the other.
I am walking in this path in amuch different head space of I
know generally what I want.
I know the path that I am in.
(06:36):
I've also learned that thingscan grow along the way and job
positions can be created andwhat's what's relevant today may
not be May or what's not even inexistence today.
Might be in existence by thetime I'm done with my degree.
I'm walking into the degree.
Really already knowing what Iwanna pursue, what I needed to
(07:01):
help me to validate in theprofession of nursing what I
needed to help me to carryforward.
Most people do not walk into thedegree with that.
They go in thinking, i'm goingto learn so that I can figure
out what I'm gonna do next.
(07:22):
I know what I'm passionateabout.
And I want to use this degree tofurther my thought process on
that particular passion.
That is a side note in thiswhole conversation about the
career clarity roadmap, but moreto come with that.
If you'd like for me to do apodcast episode on.
Pursuing your doctorate degree,whether it be PhD or DNP, let me
(07:45):
know.
I'd love to dig into it becauseI'm already working through that
process, and I can definitelyjust do a podcast episode on how
I'm making the decision to gofor my, what we would call
terminal degree in nursing.
All right, so many may thinkthat you only need a graduate
(08:06):
degree, which will solve yourproblems.
If anything, it exacerbates yourneed for clarity because there
are so many more options, thisis one of the things that I say
a lot.
Getting a degree, and this isusually this, this is the
verbiage that I give toencourage people to go back to
(08:27):
school.
If they're really feeling stuck,but they're resistant to going
back to school or they justreal, they're just not aware.
I don't force people to go backto school.
I don't think every nurse has toget a graduate degree.
I believe.
That if you're open to it, butneed more convincing once you
(08:48):
get a graduate degree, it opensup more options for you.
But in this case, when it comesto clarity, once you get that
doctorate degree, that master'sdegree.
It actually exacerbate, unlessit's the path of I'm going to be
a nurse practitioner, I'm goinglike the doctor degree.
(09:09):
That's the DNP that's connectedto an advanced practice,
registered nurse role.
Then you get a little bit morecloudy once you've gotten that
degree.
The most significant benefit ofgetting a master's or a
doctorate is the doors it willopen and the possibilities it
(09:30):
provides.
However, in many cases, you willneed the degree and the
experience to truly grow as anurse in the profession of
nursing and healthcare with joyand feeling like you're making
an impact.
So let's jump into it.
How do you recognize which stageyou're in?
(09:53):
I'm gonna break it down to whateach stage means.
Feeling stuck is, I don't know,my next step.
You're looking around andnothing excites you anymore.
You know you need a change, butevery option feels overwhelming
or worse, non-existent.
Maybe you have a vague idea ofwhat you might want, but you
(10:14):
don't even know if it'spossible, and the fear of moving
into something worse than whereyou are now keeps you frozen.
And let's be honest, betweenlong shifts and exhaustion, who
even has the time to figure itall out.
You're stuck and it'sfrustrating.
Exploring means you havethoughts of, considering
(10:36):
different options.
You are now aware, that you arestuck.
Exploring means you've come tothe awareness that you are stuck
and you are open to consideringdifferent options.
You've moved from wondering ifyou should move to knowing it's
time to move, you're ready tomake a move, but which move
(10:57):
you're researching, askingquestions, looking at jobs.
Maybe even applying for jobs orconsidering grad school, but
nothing feels like a solid yes.
Perhaps you've interviewed andyou didn't land the job.
Maybe you did land the role andit's still not what you wanted.
The uncertainty is exhausting,and you just want some clarity.
(11:20):
This stage is probably harderthan being stuck because now you
know, and you have an awarenessthat moving and taking action is
the best move.
But the actions that you'vetaken have not been fruitful, so
it tends to be frustrating.
That's the exploring stage.
Let's talk about the next stage.
Preparing.
(11:40):
I know what I want, but I needguidance.
That's the preparing stage.
You found it, the role, thespecialty, the career move that
excites you.
You've shadowed others, you'vedone research and know this is
your desired direction.
But how do you actually make ithappen?
(12:00):
The path to get there isn'tcrystal clear, and you need a
strategy.
You're ready to take action.
You just need the roadmap to getthere.
This is a much better place tobe because you see a light at
the end of the tunnel, but thisis also the stage to prep for
promotion.
You need a little bit moreexperience and or education
(12:21):
under your belt before you canmake the next move.
This one I identify, as when Iwas getting ready to leave the
bedside I knew what I wanted.
I knew I wanted to work inquality.
I knew I wanted to work in allthings hospital business, as you
would say.
So I didn't wanna work inoperations.
(12:42):
I wanted to work on what wewould call the logistical side,
so, risk management, casemanagement, quality.
I really wanted quality.
But I was just trying to figureout the best path to get there.
There was a little bit morepreparation that I needed before
I got to quality, but Ieventually got there.
So the next stage advancing.
(13:05):
I'm ready to step into aleadership or new role.
So you've invested time, builtyour experience, and proven
yourself.
You've taken on projects goneabove and beyond, and now it's
time to step up.
Whether it's leadership, a moreadvanced role or a new
challenge, you're ready to movebeyond your current comfort
(13:28):
zone.
But imposter syndrome,uncertainty, or just not knowing
how to take the leap, might beholding you back.
These are my people who havebeen the worker bees behind the
scenes.
People likely have been tellingyou for a while, it's time to
spread your wings, and youfinally decided to make the
move.
That is the advancing step.
(13:49):
Now, you might think, well, thatseems like it would be the last
step advancing, right?
I believe that advancing and thenext stage growth are two
different things.
They are two different paths.
Growth is the last stage.
(14:10):
Growth is, I have the job that Ilike, I have the degrees.
Now what, there is still astirring for me to do more.
But that more, I can't get donewhere I am.
So you've checked all the boxes,you've got the degrees, the
certifications, the experience,but you're not just here to
(14:32):
exist in your career.
You're here to make an impact.
These are my impact drivenpeople.
You pretty much.
Have the salary that you want.
So it's like you're, I'm, I'mgood where I am.
Could I make or could, I couldalways make more, but I'm good
where I am.
You're ready to grow beyond yourunit, beyond your organization,
(14:53):
beyond your department.
And maybe you want to contributeat the state or national level,
speak at conferences, mentorothers, or shift the future of
healthcare.
But where do you even start?
If you're at this stage, thepossibilities are endless, which
can be a little scary, but alsovery exciting.
(15:16):
However, you've been in the gamefor so long that the money also
needs to match the possibilitiesor maybe not.
So that's go, that goes back tomy conversation of you're likely
good with your money where youare if you're at this stage.
You might like a little bit morelike, but sometimes even in the
(15:40):
work that you see, that could bea growth stage versus an
advancing stage.
It might be a lateral move.
It could also be a step backbecause you're wanting to grow
in a certain skill.
Many in this category arelooking for their next level of
an executive director, VP role,or leadership outside of the
(16:02):
organization while still workingin their organization.
So let's talk about your actionsteps for moving forward with
this nurse career growthroadmap.
Did you identify yourself in anyof those stages?
If you did, I would encourageyou to download my nurse Career
Growth Roadmap.
(16:23):
These stages are embedded inthis roadmap.
There are action items attachedto these steps that can give you
a hint of what is the next stepto take when you identify
yourself in those stages, youwill find the link to the
roadmap in the description, soyour call to action today is to
(16:46):
download the growth roadmap,identify your step, your stage,
and then look at the actionsteps that I've lined out to see
what is the next step that youcan take remember those five
stages, feeling stuck,exploring, preparing.
(17:07):
Advancing and growth.
I have the job.
I have the degrees.
Now what?
See you next week.
I hope you enjoyed today'sepisode.
If so, would you take 30 secondsand share it with another nurse
who may be unsure of where to gonext in their career or maybe
(17:29):
need some career clarity?
Also, please leave a quickreview for the show on Apple
Podcast.
It brings me so much joy and somuch encouragement to know this
podcast is helping you now goget the career you want and not
the one you settle for.
And I'll meet you back here nextThursday for another episode.
(17:50):
See you soon.