Nursing continues to appeal to many people globally as a sincere, meaningful profession. Indeed, it is more of a vocation that lets you give back to society and help people lead fuller, happier lives. It can also be financially rewarding, as nurses now enjoy many growth opportunities.
However, the field demands professionals to remain attuned to developments and upgrade their skills. In 2024, a staffing firm survey reported that almost a third of nursing professionals are keen to switch jobs. The main driving forces behind this trend seem to be a desire for higher compensation and feeling frustrated or burnt out. Better skills can make a job change easier.
That said, switching jobs in a turbulent economy is daunting. Practicing nurses and students should consider adding additional skills to their repertoire sooner rather than later. These skills can improve their professional standing and help them make career advancements. They will also assist patients in a speedier recovery.
1. Comfort With Technology
Nursing may not be a profession we typically associate with technology, but things have changed dramatically.
A standard day in a healthcare setting can involve using software to manage patient data or medication plans and run diagnostics. Many patients with chronic illnesses use wearable technology to monitor sugar levels or heart rate.
Nurses should be comfortable assisting them with these devices. They must also know how to maintain electronic medical records (EMR) and build charts that comply with privacy and clinical decisions.
A recent Nursing Times report noted how nurses have taken the lead in developing digital healthcare tools like an app to improve care for lung cancer patients. It observed that nursing professionals should be involved in designing such tools and not only implementing them. Nurses have an intrinsic, practical experience of a patient’s health. They can use data intelligently to modify treatments.
Nurses who have a sound grip on technology can also explore telehealth positions. These roles need you to deliver care through digital devices like mobile phones or iPads. You will help patients manage their conditions, monitor their symptoms, and educate them on self-care. Telehealth nursing has also become a profitable side hustle for many nurses seeking better financial freedom.
The Role of AI in Nursing
In the technological context, nursing is not immune to the ubiquitousness of AI or artificial intelligence. The technology has become popular for predicting patient health outcomes based on historical data and recommending tailored plans for medication or therapy.
However, many nurses are hesitant about adopting AI. A McKinsey report finds that over 60% are apprehensive about or lack trust in the accuracy of AI. Several others are uncomfortable with the lack of human interaction. Many professionals also report feeling unsure of their abilities to use these technologies.
As AI becomes more common in healthcare, nurses should develop a deeper understanding of its pros and cons. Familiarizing oneself with it is essential as AI will unlikely slow down its growth trajectory anytime soon.
2. A Research-Oriented Mindset
The nursing profession has evolved in the last few years. According to Cleveland State University, practitioners must now integrate findings from genetics and biopsychosocial fields, aiming to improve the quality of patient care.
Accordingly, some contemporary FNP degree programs prioritize such integrated learning and equip students to develop a continuous improvement mindset. Nurses must also learn how to apply research outcomes to their practice. They should persevere to bring positive changes in the setting, whether in a hospital or a community clinic.
Nurses can hone research skills by pursuing relevant academic journals and reports that keep them updated on the changing face of the profession. For instance, the Journal of Clinical Nursing recently covered the impact of acupressure on cancer patients.
The results indicated that acupressure may improve sleep quality if people use the correct techniques. Nurses who stay updated with such developments can draft more optimal treatment plans.
Developing a learning mindset will also help nurses adapt to new guidelines on health conditions. For example, NHS England released new guides last year. These guides asked nurses to customize their care to patients facing diabetes, menopause, or heart failure.
3. Collaboration and Working in Multi-Department Teams
Modern-day nurses frequently work in large teams with members from multiple departments. For example, you may work with a surgeon, a physical rehabilitation therapist, and a psychiatrist. Communicating confidently with other professionals across designations and ranks is essential for a 21st-century nurse.
The changing team dynamic has exposed nursing to problems apparent in corporate cultures, like groupthink and poor conflict management. For example, what if you strongly believe in a different treatment plan for a patient than the senior-most member of the team? With collaboration, nurses must develop advocacy skills to champion their patients’ rights.
This skill requires a combination of confidence, assertiveness, and genuine empathy. The purpose is to be a team member who contributes meaningfully to patient care and public health in general.
Team nursing has become more common for improving the efficacy of patient care. The American Nurses Association recommends showing gratitude while prioritizing autonomy and integrity. Some workplaces offer mentorship programs. These programs allow you to gain from the experiences of established professionals in a real-world environment.
4. Nursing in Unusual Circumstances
Another unique way to advance your nursing career is to focus on a niche that requires distinct skills. These roles allow you to apply your learning to help people undergoing specialized treatments.
For example, some people may require hyperbaric oxygen therapy to promote wound healing or recover from severe trauma. During this treatment, patients breathe in pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. A hyperbaric nurse can assist the physician in administering this treatment and provide close monitoring.
You can learn these additional skills by specializing in hyperbaric medicine or wound care. FNPs interested in this field often apply for special certifications and work with an expert physician to gain relevant experience.
Another route is training to become a flight nurse and provide medical care in the air. These roles need excellent coordination and technology skills as you must interact with the ground crew and manage medical equipment. You must also be able to handle critical care situations and manage fast, stressful events without getting worked up.
5. Cultural Sensitivity
Nursing professionals must interact with patients from diverse backgrounds or communities. Being culturally sensitive is essential to support them and their families during testing phases. This skill has become more relevant in the present times when divisiveness and discrimination are rising.
Many media reports indicate that Black people continue to face prejudice in access to healthcare in the US. It makes them hesitate to seek treatment, which worsens their health outcomes. In 2024, NPR reported that Black people face worse health and preventable deaths due to racist policies.
A contemporary nurse should be culturally sensitive to handle such scenarios and reach out appropriately. This skill includes tailoring communication suitably and changing body language and tone where required.
For example, some families may handle grim news stoically, refusing to accept counseling. A healthcare professional must be sensitive to how people from different cultures react to health-related situations and interact with them accordingly.
This skill will also help nurses deliver patient education more effectively. For example, you may need to help a diabetic person understand how to monitor sugar levels and take insulin timely.
Likewise, some conditions may require nutritional counseling or mental health management. Nurses are often a convenient point of contact for patients to learn about these conditions and assess if they need further help.
You can work on this skill through personal development workshops and online courses. You can also practice self-reflection, examining your biases and prejudices to see how they affect your daily conduct.
Another approach is to look for opportunities that allow cultural immersion: avenues to learn about other communities and sensitize yourself to their approach to healthcare. They will expose you to prevalent barriers and values in various social groups.
6. Ethical Practice
While ethics have always been integral to healthcare, the significance of ethical practice is higher in these stressful times.
Post the COVID-19 pandemic, more people have developed anxiety and paranoia about their health. Some reports indicate that ethics have taken a hit in the medical world. Miracle cures and inadequately tested products get launched with fanfare. Bribing medical professionals and manipulating trials are other ethical concerns plaguing the sector.
Nurses must stand for trust and responsibility, siding with ethical practices that don’t compromise patient health. A Cleveland Clinic podcast recommends completing courses in nursing ethics to understand how to navigate moral dilemmas. Such courses can help them manage moral distress in patients or contribute to handling disagreements between family members that interfere with the patient’s treatment.
Upskilling is integral to staying relevant in every profession, including healthcare. It provides financial and professional advantages at every level. In nursing, upskilling also helps you become more adept at delivering quality care to your patients. It helps you improve lives through thoughtful interventions.
