How to Advance Your Nursing Career in 2021

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It's been a challenging year for most people, but this is particularly true for nurses and other healthcare professionals. 

A career in nursing is known for being rewarding in numerous ways, yet even the most dedicated nurse may have felt dispirited at times over the past 12 months, and you may be struggling to see the light at the end of a tunnel.

If this is the case for you, try and bear in mind the popular and pertinent phrase "onwards and upwards". Or how about "things can only get better"?

Rather than staying stuck in a cycle of feeling low, why not instead look to the future and find ways to change your career in nursing for the better. 

Not sure where to start?

Keep reading to discover how you can advance your nursing career in 2021, plus the best career options for nurse practitioners in the year ahead. 

How can I further my career in nursing?

No matter what stage you are at in your nursing journey, there is always a way to take your career to the next level. As long as you are willing to learn new skills and embrace new experiences, whether that be through the pursuit of a degree such as an MSN, DNP, or Ph.D. or sheer hard work and determination in your current role, you can be a success in 2021 and beyond. 

Check out the below nine steps to advance your nursing career next year. 

1. Determine your goals 

If you don't know what you want to achieve in the five years, then how are you going to able to action a plan to make it happen? In short, you can't. Therefore, before you start taking any steps towards achieving your goals, you first need to write down what they are. 

Focus on determining both a list of short term or mini-goals, as well as long term aspirations, as this will ensure you stay on track and remain motivated. 

An example of a short-term goal may be to look into pursuing a DNP online to obtain a leadership role in nursing. A long term goal, on the other hand, maybe to set up your own practice.

2. Identify your next steps

Once you have determined your goals, the next step is to work out a plan for how you are going to achieve them. Start with your short term goals, as you should find that your long term ones will fall into place once you have achieved these. 

Steps that you might take to achieve your short terms goals include:

• Looking into education options

• Talking to your employer about career advancement opportunities 

• Identifying any obstacles that might hinder you from getting the career you want

3. Volunteer 

One of the simplest ways to find out what you want to do and what you are good at doing is by volunteering for extra responsibilities in your current position. If you are thinking of pursuing a leadership role in nursing, look for a volunteering role that allows you to test your leadership skills. 

Not only is volunteering a great way to expand your knowledge and skillset, but it also looks good on your resume.

4. Focus on professionalism 

If you want to climb the career ladder, you need to showcase a professional attitude at all times, even if you are currently working in a low-level position that doesn't fully fulfil you. Being professional is not only about attitude but also about both your appearance and overall demeanor. 

Remember, dress for the part you want, not the one you already have. 

5. Pursue further education 

Take a look at your list of goals. If one or more of them require you to add to your list of qualifications, then it's time to start looking into degree courses and colleges. Of course, as a nurse, your learning journey never ends, with new advances in healthcare technology and new medicines being developed daily. That being said, if you want to pursue a higher level or leadership role, the right education course can help you to achieve this. 

In terms of what degree course you should choose, this will be dependent on your current level of qualification. For example, if you want to achieve the highest nursing qualification, you should opt for either a DNP, Doctor of Nursing Practice, or a Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing. 

A DNP is a superior option if you want to focus your studies on clinical practice, whereas a Ph.D. is intended for those interested more in the research side of nursing.

Don't worry if you don't already have an MSN, Master of Science in Nursing degree, as you can find fast tracks degrees such as BSN to DNP programs. 

6. Join professional organizations 

It is very hard to build a successful career within any industry if you do not first focus on creating valuable relationships with both your peers and potential employers. However, by simply joining professional nursing organizations, you can widen your professional circle, keep informed about the latest industry news and have the chance to network more often.

For even greater perks, aim to join organizations that are specific to your particular area of nursing or the area of nursing that you want to branch into.

7. Attend conferences

Although not everyone is a fan of these sometimes underwhelming events, attending conferences, even virtual ones, offers the perfect setting to meet new people and discover new career opportunities. 

If you do not consider yourself to be one of life's natural networkers, you may want to brush up on your networking skills before attending your next big event. Remember, first impressions are everything, and you only get one chance to shine. 

8. Embrace online learning 

It is looking increasingly likely that 2021 will follow in the footsteps of 2020 and that extra precautions will be put in place to allow nurses and other healthcare professionals to carry out their jobs effectively and, most importantly, safely.

The same goes for any learning and development training or courses you decide to pursue in the upcoming year. To put it simply, you need to embrace all things virtual. Whether you decide to pursue an advanced nursing degree program such as a DNP online or you join an online networking forum, if you want to progress your nursing career in 2021, you will need to take advantage of online offerings. 

If you are worried about the quality of online degree programs or not sure if online learning is the right choice for you, see the main benefits of online studying below:

• Enhanced flexibility 

• More cost-effective 

• More inclusive 

• Increased convenience 

• High-quality teaching 

• Access to resources online

• Opportunity for international networking 

9. Research the job market 

There is little point in investing thousands of dollars in further education if there is no demand for the nursing roles that you are thinking of pursuing. Therefore, before you make any big decisions about your future in the nursing industry, it can be a good idea to research the job market. 

Try and identify the below-market conditions:

• What jobs are available at the level you want?

• Which nursing roles are most in-demand?

• Are these roles in demand in your geographical area?

• What skills, experience, and qualifications do you need i.e. BSN, MSN, or DNP degree? 

What are the best career options for nurse practitioners in 2021?

If you are thinking about pursuing an advanced nursing degree such as a DNP, you may be interested to know what types of jobs you can obtain once qualified. A DNP degree is a substantial investment, both in terms of money and time, so it is important that you are able to recoup this investment with a lucrative and rewarding career. 

Fortunately, if you are thinking of enhancing your skills with a DNP or similar degree, you will be pleased to hear that the demand for nurse practitioners in the United States is high. In fact, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the expected job growth for Nurse Practitioners is a whopping 45% between 2019 and 2029, much faster than the national average for occupations across the board. 

If you are unsure about what area of advanced nursing to go into, then the below top jobs for nurse practitioners in 2021 should help point you in the right direction. 

Emergency Nurse Practitioner

If you pride yourself on thinking on your feet and you thrive under pressure, then pursuing a career as an emergency nurse practitioner could be the right move for you. Required to juggle a wide variety of clinical cases, including infectious diseases and psychiatric disorders, this position typically involves shift work rather than a traditional 9-5 schedule. 

Most emergency nurse practitioners work in the field of adult-gerontology acute care or family care, but you can find positions in pediatrics and women's health also.

The average salary for an Emergency Nurse Practitioner is $114,812 per annum, with the salary range typically falling between $106,709 and $127,745. 

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The nation's mental health is at an all-time low, and therefore, the demand for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners has never been higher. However, it's not just job security that this position offers; you can also enjoy a flexible schedule, good rates of pay, and the chance to work from your own home. 

The average salary for a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is $110,076 per annum. 

Travelling Nurse Practitioner

A traveling nurse practitioner, also known as locum tenens, is the perfect position for those who want a nursing career that involves travel. Typically, a locum tenens nurse works through an agency that will help them to find assignments ranging in duration from as little as a week to as long as a year.

Ideal if you love variety in your job, you may find yourself working as a women's health nurse practitioner one month and then in a fertility clinic the next. 

One of the most appealing aspects of this position is that you are most likely to be paid hourly by your agency, with higher rates of pay than other full-time nurse practitioner roles within an organization. 

College Health Practitioner

If you would like to work with young adults and be involved in preventative care, then this could be the advanced nursing role for you. Another varied position, as a college health practitioner, your daily duties may include caring for students' primary care, sexual health, psychiatric health, and providing advice and vaccinations for students travelling abroad. 

Some of the advantages of this advanced nursing role include amble vacation time and good rates of pay.

The average salary for a Health Practitioner is $117,396 per annum. 

Community Health Practitioner

A role suited to someone who is more interested in giving something back to the local community, rather than commanding a high salary, the need for community health practitioners in the United States is high. This is particularly true when it comes to underserved communities. 

If you are passionate about patient care and patient education, want to work with a diverse patient population, and are looking for more autonomy in your career, then this is most definitely the role for you. 

The average salary for a Community Health Practitioner is $86,944 per annum. 

Telehealth Roles

The telehealth industry has exploded this year, with the need for people to access health services from the comfort of their own homes being needed more than ever before. Telehealth appointments allow patients to get an informed opinion on their symptoms and receive a referral for a diagnostic test without having to physically attend a clinic or practice. 

There is a wide range of roles within telehealth. For example, you could be offering virtual mental health services, whether as a licensed counselor or a psychiatrist. 

Conclusion 

The year 2021 is going to be undeniably challenging for the healthcare industry, but that doesn't mean you can't take steps to improve your current professional working life and help provide a solution to current problems both nationwide and across the globe. 

Whether you choose to pursue an advanced nursing degree such as a DNP or Ph.D. or you decide to undertake on-the-job training or volunteering, just because 2021 is going to be a bit different from other years, there is no reason why you can't further your career in nursing and achieve your professional goals. 

So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your future today and look forward to a more prosperous and rewarding tomorrow.