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■ Product knowledge information about individual psychological-type
■ Good communication and people skills preferences on four dimensions:
■ Computer skills
1. Extroversion (E) or Introversion (I)
■ Self-managed learning skills
2. Sensing (S) or Intuition (N)
■ Flexibility
3. Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)
Weaknesses 4. Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)
■ Poor communication and people skills Although there are many factors that influence
■ Inflexibility behaviors and attitudes, the MBTI summarizes
■ Lack of interest in further training underlying patterns and behaviors common to
■ Difficulty adapting to change most people. Both tools should be administered
■ Inability to see health care as a business and interpreted by a qualified practitioner. Most
university and career counseling centers are able to
Opportunities administer them. If you are unsure of just where
■ Expanding markets in health care you fit in the workplace, you might explore these
■ New applications of technology tests with your college or university or take it online
■ New products and diversification at http://www.myersbriggs.org/
■ Increasing at-risk populations
■ Nursing shortage Beginning the Search
Even with a nationwide nursing shortage, hospital
Threats mergers, emphasis on increased staff productivity,
■ Increased competition among health-care budget crises, staffing shifts, and changes in job
facilities market availability affect the numbers and types of
■ Changes in government regulation nurses employed in various facilities and agencies.
Instead of focusing on long-term job security, the
Take some time to personalize the preceding
career-secure employee focuses on becoming a career
SWOT analysis. What are your strengths? What
survivalist.A career survivalist focuses on the person,
are the things you are not so good at? What weak-
not the position. Consider the following career sur-
nesses do you need to minimize, or what strengths
vivalist strategies (Waymon & Baber, 1999):
do you need to develop as you begin your job
search? What opportunities and threats exist in the ■ Be self-employed psychologically. Your career
health-care community you are considering? Doing belongs to you, not to the person who signs your
a SWOT analysis will help you make an initial paycheck. Security and advancement on the job
assessment of the job market. It can be used again are up to you. Security may be elusive, but
after you narrow your search for that first nursing opportunities for nurses are growing every day.
position. ■ Learn for employability. Take personal respon-
In addition to completing a SWOT analysis, sibility for your career success. Learn not only
there are several other tools that can help you for your current position but also for your next
learn more about yourself. Two of the most position. Employability in health care today
common are the Strong Interest Inventory (SII) means learning technology tools, job-specific
and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). technical skills, and people skills such as the
The SII compares the individual’s interests with ability to negotiate, coach, work in teams, and
the interests of those who are successful in a make presentations.
large number of occupational fields in the areas ■ Plan for your financial future. Ask yourself,
of (1) work styles, (2) learning environment, “How can I spend less, earn more, and manage
(3) leadership style, and (4) risk-taking/adventure. better?” Often, people make job decisions based
Completing this inventory can help you discover on financial decisions, which makes them feel
what work environment might be best suited to trapped instead of secure.
your interests. ■ Develop multiple options. The career survival-
The MBTI is a widely used indicator of person- ist looks at multiple options constantly. Moving
ality patterns. This self-report inventory provides up is only one option. Being aware of emerging