I have been a nurse for over 17 years, but it was not until about six to seven years ago that I began to take responsibility for my own career development. I always relied on my nurse manager to prompt me to what I needed to do for career advancement. After many years of working long hours, overtime and bonus shifts, I realized that I was not growing and nursing was becoming very boring.
If you are facing the same issues today, I want to encourage you to make 2008 the year that you take control for your career growth. Everything good that will ever happen to your career is going to need you to take the initiative. No one can possibly know what you want, your dreams and your aspirations.

You are responsible for your nursing career, and no one else will come to your rescue. When I made that realization, the first thing that I did was enrolled in a masters program. I always wanted to return back to school for my masters, but I never had the time or the money. I am still working at obtaining a master degree even though it is taking me a long time to finish, but I am never going to give up.

Make up your mind to go forward with whatever you want to achieve this year and commit to see it come to flourish cent. When you start to take responsibility for your career, you will be surprise of what you will do. I have met many unhappy nurses that are always complaining, and blaming nurse managers and directors for their dissatisfaction with nursing. If you continue on that path, you will never discover true fulfillment in nursing. Nursing is a great profession, to really find contentment you have to start taking charge of your career.