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236 unit 3 | Professional Issues CikguOnline
the company manners they displayed when you Skills and Knowledge
were interviewing, and organizational politics
Master the skills and knowledge of the position.
eventually surface. Your leadership skills and com-
Technology is constantly changing, and contrary
mitment to teamwork will get you through this
to popular belief, you did not learn everything in
transition period.
school. Be prepared to seek out new knowledge
and skills on your own.This may entail extra hours
Impressions and Relationships
of preparation and study, but no one ever said
Manage a good impression, and build effective rela-
learning stops after graduation (Holton, 1994;
tionships. Remember, you are being watched: by
Johnson, 1994).
peers, subordinates, and superiors. Because you as
yet have no track record, first impressions are mag- Advancing Your Career
nified. Although every organization is different,
most are looking for someone with good judgment,
Many of the ideas presented in this chapter will
a willingness to learn, a readiness to adapt, and a
continue to be helpful as you advance in your nurs-
respect for the expertise of more experienced
ing career. Continuing to develop your leadership
employees. Most people expect you to “pay your
and patient care skills through practice, and further
dues” to earn respect from them.
education will be the key to your professional
growth. The RN will be expected to develop and
Organizational Savvy
provide leadership to other members of the health-
Develop organizational savvy. An important person
care team while providing competent care to
in this first year is your immediate supervisor.
patients. Getting your first job within the nursing
Support this person. Find out what is important to
shortage may not be so difficult, but advancing in
your supervisor and what he or she needs and
your career will be your own responsibility.
expects from the team. Become a team player.
Present solutions, not problems, as often as you Conclusion
can. You want to be a good leader someday; learn
first to be a good follower. Finding a mentor is
Finding your first position is more than being in
another important goal of your first year. Mentors
the right place at the right time. It is a complex
are role models and guides who encourage, counsel,
combination of learning about yourself and the
teach, and advocate for their mentee. In these rela-
organizations you are interested in and presenting
tionships, both the mentor and mentee receive
your strengths and weaknesses in the most positive
support and encouragement (Klein & Dickenson-
manner possible. Keeping the first position and
Hazard, 2000). Mentoring was discussed in
using the position to grow and learn are also a plan-
Chapter 13.
ning process. Recognize that the independence you
The spark that ignites a mentoring relationship
enjoyed through college may not be the skills you
may come from either the protégé or the mentor.
need to keep you in your first position. There is an
Protégés often view mentors as founts of success, a
important lesson to be learned: becoming a team
bastion of life skills they wish to learn and emulate.
player and being savvy about organizational politics
Mentors often see the future that is hidden in
are as important as becoming proficient in nursing
another’s personality and abilities (Klein &
skills.Take the first step toward finding a mentor—
Dickenson-Hazard, 2000, pp. 20–21).
before you know it, you will become one yourself.
Study Questions
1. Using the SWOT analysis worksheet developed for this chapter, how will you articulate your
strengths and weaknesses during an interview?
2. Design a one- to two-page résumé to use in seeking your first position. Are you able to “sell yourself”
in one or two pages? If not, what adjustments are you going to make? Develop a cover letter, thank-you
letter, acceptance letter, and rejection letter that you can use during the interview process.