Changing (nursing) jobs in uncertain economic climates

With the current trends in the economic climate, this might not seem the right time to think about changing jobs. However, with the proper outlook, data, research and effort, now can be a more successful time than ever before to change nursing jobs. Remember, most Americans spend 1/3 of their lives involved with their careers, and if you are not happy, indeed not overjoyed with your job you are clearly negatively affecting your life.

Out Look:      

How many times have we heard the elderly and dying vent their regrets to us, nurses? Of those, how many can you recall that complained they spent too little time at the office? It’s an old saw, yet nonetheless true and the lesson we can learn from it sets the outlook you need to brave the winds of fortune and setout on a new career course. Always remember; point of view changes everything. The reason that "the grass is always greener" is that our perception is dependant upon our point of view. Once on the other side of the fence, our point of view changes, and therefore the grass seems brighter back here. What I am trying to say here is simple, yet profound; in order to change your life, you must first change your point of view.

            Many nurses value job security and a daily set of duties that are both known and comfortable. But when we challenge ourselves and move out of our comfort zones, true growth can occur. Chances are, if you are reading this, you have already begun to question what is really important in your life. Is it respect at work? A job that I challenging and intellectually stimulating? Is it more money? Don’t be ashamed of this last one, nurses. There is nothing wrong with being compensated for the hard work we all do everyday. It is also a fact that to live in our society takes money.

You are not responsible for the system that is in place, ergo; you should feel fine playing by the rules of the system. Changing jobs, renegotiating contracts and valuing your services are all just a part of the free market and none of those things should hold any shame for anyone. Many of us would like to hold on to the perceived altruism that motivated us to become nurses and give so much of ourselves in the first place. However, ask yourself one question and answer it honestly: If you won the power ball lottery today, would you continue to work at your present job? If you’ve read this far chances are the answer is a resounding no.

The practical outcome of all this is, before you can attempt to market yourself, you have to first value yourself and your abilities. How can you expect to sell yourself to someone if you don’t believe you hold the value you are asking for? Potential employers see right through that sort of half effort, and as someone who has interview literally thousands of perspective employees, I can tell you it is a big turn off.  Value yourself and your skills, the art you practice and the wealth of knowledge and experience you bring to the table and your outlook will be more like someone offering quality goods for hire than someone desperate to leave their current problems behind unsolved.

Data:

What are the demographics for the area of nursing (or any job, actually) that you are interested in? note that I did not say the area you are in. changing jobs, especially in poor economic climates is a risky business, and your aim should always be to further your plans for your future. So, ask yourself the pertinent questions before you start to look at employers. Is there a market where you are looking that has what you are interested in? The where and the what have to meet in order to successfully look for a new position. Begin with the what. Do you even know what areas of nursing interest you? Thinking about changing jobs without knowing where you are going is dangerous. Spend some time on the web; visit professional organizations and the library. Look through sites that specialize in employment, there are many, some quite famous, and peruse the open positions. Talk to other nurses who are doing what you are interested in. Then and only then can you begin to amass the data you need in order to make wise and productive decisions regarding job searching.

            So, what data do you need? Well, the obvious one is, who is hiring? That is where most of us start but if you have done some homework, and know the what you want to do, then the who becomes suddenly more focused and therefore more productive. Other data is just as important. Here is just a partial list of some of the things you need to research before sending out a single resume.

Table 1. List of data to research for job searching:

                        Average salary of position

                        Average starting salary

                        Number of openings in your area now

                        Number of openings last month

                        Number of currently employed nurses in that position

                        Average experience of nurses in that position

Growth rate of that position

(A great fast and dirty figure comes from subtracting number 3 from number 4 above)

                        Lists of ways your experience applies to that position you are seeking

Other data will occur to you depending upon the specifics of the jobs you seek. The point is, forewarned is forearmed. The employer has the upper hand in an economic downturn by sheer numbers. Unemployment is rising therefore the ratio of those seeking work to the jobs available falls. An interviewer judges how well you will be prepared for your job by how well you are prepared for your interview. Gathering the data you need will give you the edge by preparing you and anticipating the employer’s needs and questions. It also gives you the added benefit of knowing the playing field. I have seen heads of human resources tell prospective nurses; “for every one nurse that leaves we have three waiting to take their job”. Depending on the situation, this could be true, yet with the knowledge of the numbers, statements like that will not intimidate you.

            Remember, the better prepared you are for the encounter, the more likely you are to come out on top and stay in control. When you are looking for another job in a down market. Controlling the interview can make all the difference.

Research:

                        Research is a rather broad topic and rather than try to cover every aspect that could possibly be of use to you, I will simply try to emphasize the need for  quality time spent really digging in to you proposed adventure. Research includes all the things mentioned above in the data section as well as looking for other categories of data, and simply getting a “feel” for the market, job description and history (ah yes, lets not forget our history. Like a good examination, the history of what is going on can tell us a great deal. Why do you think that so many basic classes in college start with the history of the subject? Because it is by knowing where we were that we can project out trajectory and guess where we might be going!). Always keep researching. Talk to everyone. Read everything you can get your hands on. Sound like a lot? It is. But lets keep in mind; jobs are scarce and becoming scarcer. Even with the nursing shortage (yes, there still is one, a very, very large one. Do not let anyone tell you different)

And finally,

Effort:

                        No other single factor will more determine the outcome of you job search endeavor than sheer effort. It was once told to me that a determined man with a crescent wrench could do more than a lazy man with an entire tool set. This is the crux of the situation. As with our nursing practice, effort shows. Recruiters and interviewers are trained to spot concentrated, effective effort. It is quite exactly what an employer wants. All employers, every single one. I cannot stress this enough.  Spend the effort to prepare, to do the research, to be well rested before an interview. Spend the time to get to know your perspective employer’s business before you talk to them. Show the interviewer that you are serious about finding you niche. But most of all do something, put out some effort. It is the journey never started which takes longest to finish.

Robert L. White is currently a school nurse for inner city underprivileged children, owns two companies and writes copiously on many subject from religion to science.