Words of Wisdom to My Nursing Students - August 10, 2013

I was a witness to a major power play at work which resulted in a high level firing. No need to go into details, that is not necessary.  Focus on the big picture, not the small minor "gossipy" chatter.

1. This is a man's world. So you better watch your step!  There is a difference in female to female conversations as compared to female to male conversations.

2. In the boardroom, women can be "catty" and aggressive with other women.  But with men, we women better watch our mouth and be strategic with our words and mannerisms.

3. If you women fail to heed those above two facts, regardless of how well you serve your organization, if you are fierce with men in the boardroom, you are going to get FIRED!

Okay, here are some more observations from this month...

4. Plan for your retirement NOW!!! Yes, you are just starting as an RN, but you need to pick up high level skills no less than 5 years of nursing!

5. What are those skills?  WRITING, SPEAKING, THINKING, PLANNING, & COMMUNICATING.

6. A very high level, respected educator just retired and is now asking me where to seek employment! I was shocked that this person spent 30+ years without acquiring additional skills! Uh... excuse me, it is too late now.  That person wasted 30 years!

7. I spent 20 years doing the following IN ADDITION to my full time job.  It was hard, but the pay-off has been wonderful:

• Evaluating CE programs as a peer reviewer.

• Volunteering as an ANCC appraiser.

• Teaching LPNs.

• Serving as a clinical nursing adjunct.

• Putting extra effort into staff development.... I always took lots of work home.

• Volunteered in committees for the Illinois Nurses Association.

• Worked on curriculum development projects for the City Colleges of Chicago

8. When it was time for me to leave / early retire from my job, I did it as planned! I was fully prepared and packaged by professional development to be recognized as a valuable asset to future employers.

9. When it is time to retire, you need to be ready!  If you become a "non-valued" employee, you will be miserable.  No one wants to listen to years of complaints about your workplace.  At some point, you have to recognize that the problem is not the employer.... it is YOU!

10. Someone recently asked me for my resume for a company that was being considered.  I declined because I have no experience in that field.  But, students, remember that your supervisors are your future references!  You do not approach "strangers" for a reference!!!  You must pave your career paths early.  EVERY SUPERVISOR IS A POTENTIAL REFERENCE FOR A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION!

In summary, acquire new skills beyond basic nursing care now; do not wait until you retire to figure out what you can do.... in most instances, you have not prepared your career path, so there is NOTHING new you can do; when you are no longer useful with your employer, give it a couple of years, then move on, do not sit around and complain until you have enough time... you may get fired; respect your supervisors as they are your future references; and finally beware of the boardroom - do not take on the same approach when you battle with men as you would battle with women.

I AM AN ASTUTE WITNESS TO ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!