Boy does the healthcare industry know this is true!  Change is happening at every level within every organization large and small, good or bad, every healthcare professional is needing to adapt, grow, transform.

One great example of a dramatic change falls within the nursing profession.  This week the Institute of Medicine released a report calling for new levels of nurse training and certification in order to meet the increasing needs of patients

“To meet these demands, the nursing profession should institute residency training for nurses, increase the percentage of nurses who attain a bachelor’s degree to 80 percent by 2020, and double the number who pursue doctorates.”

Read more here…

It will be fun to watch as this change takes hold in the nursing profession.  Nurses being the single largest part of the healthcare workforce hold the keys to better patient care outcomes.  Providing better training more resources and increased responsibilities are steps in the right direction.

Originally written and published by Next Iteration.

When I was a kid the middle of the summer often lead to a day where I would claim “I am bored”.  This always got quite a reaction from my parents, especially my dad.  He was quick to remind me that boredom was a choice not something that happened to me.   During interviews I often hear the same comment “I am bored” from professionals about their job, it always brings back those lazy July days of my youth.

I'm Bored!

Heeding my dad’s words of wisdom, and believing that we choose to be bored I thought I would offer a short list of things you can do to make your job a little more interesting.

Learn New Skills:   This is any easy one. Anytime you are learning to do new things you are engaged and interested.  It is very hard to be bored with something that you do not know.  This also makes you more valuable on your team since you will have new skills that you can apply to your job.

Offer to Help:  Helping someone else with a project is a great way to get energized at work.   You not only have the satisfaction that goes along with offering the assistance but you get a boost from learning all about a new project or process. 

Ask for More:   Yes, more work.  At times your manager might not realize that your day is not filled with enough to do, you need to clue them in to your situation.  They may not only offer more but some great variety in the things that you can work on.

Take care of the Cracks:  You know all the little projects that slip through the cracks when you are super busy? Now is the time to pull out the list and get those things done.  It may be an organization project or follow up that has been on the back burner, but getting your “work” organized can be very uplifting.

Time Off:  Boredom may be a bigger sign that you are no longer excited about what you are doing.  This may be a chronic problem or just the signal that you need some time off to refresh your batteries.   A vacation doing what you love is often the solution to being excited about your job after you return.

If none of this works, then you might consider that what you really need is a new job, anyone interested in talking about that?  I am all ears!

Great Tools to find and Keep the Job you Love: Have you been to www.UsefulCareerAdvice.com yet? This is a great resource for job seekers, active or passive candidates that want access to great advice, resources and a host of tools to find and keep the job they love.

Artists (graphic artists, illustrators, columnists, etc) have used a portfolios for years to demonstrate their abilities, skills, and accomplishments. In a recent trend, more and more professionals are employing the same method.

The portfolio is so much more than the resume you’d provide at the initial stages of conversations with an organization. Here’s a great list we found at QuintCareers.com of what to include in your portfolio.

• Career Summary and Goals: A description of what you stand for (such as work ethic, organizational interests, management philosophy, etc.) and where you see yourself in two to five years.
• Professional Philosophy/Mission Statement: A short description of the guiding principles that drive you and give your purpose.
• Traditional Resume: A summary of your education, achievements, and work experience, using a chronological or functional format.
• Scannable/Text-Based Resume: A text-only version of your resume should also be included.
• Skills, Abilities and Marketable Qualities: A detailed examination of your skills and experience. This section should include the name of the skill area; the performance or behavior, knowledge, or personal traits that contribute to your success in that skill area; your background and specific experiences that demonstrate your application of the skill.
• List of Accomplishments: A detailed listing that highlights the major accomplishments in your career to date. Accomplishments are one of the most important elements of any good job-search.
• Samples of Your Work: A sampling of your best work, including reports, papers, studies, brochures, projects, presentations, etc. Besides print samples, you can also include CD-ROMs, videos, and other multimedia formats.
• Research, Publications, Reports: A way to showcase multiple skills, including your written communications abilities. Include any published papers and conference proceedings.
• Testimonials and Letters of Recommendations: A collection of any kudos you have received -– from customers, clients, colleagues, past employers, professors, etc. Some experts even suggest including copies of favorable employer evaluations and reviews.
• Awards and Honors: A collection of any certificates of awards, honors, and scholarships.
• Conference and Workshops: A list of conferences, seminars, and workshops you’ve participated in and/or attended.
• Transcripts, Degrees, Licenses, and Certifications: A description of relevant courses, degrees, licenses, and certifications.
• Professional Development Activities: A listing of professional associations and conferences attended — and any other professional development activities.
• Military records, awards, and badges: A listing of your military service, if applicable.
• Volunteering/Community Service: A description of any community service activities, volunteer or pro bono work you have completed, especially as it relates to your career.
• References List: A list of three to five people (including full names, titles, addresses, and phone/email) who are willing to speak about your strengths, abilities, and experience. At least one reference should be a former manager.

Originally written and published by Premier Health Careers.

Old Rule #1: Start your cover letter with Dear Sir or Madam….enclosed you will find…

New Trick: Use the hiring manager’s name, skip the fluffy language
If you don’t know the hiring managers name, try doing internet research to surface a name, it is much better to use an actual name than to just send your resume into the pile.

Old Rule #2: Never use an abbreviation in any way on any of your paperwork

New Trick: We now live in Twitter based world so professional abbreviations are widely accepted as long as they are the ones that everyone understands.  It is a good rule of thumb to use the full words the first time you use a term you want to make sure everyone understands; you then can use the abbreviation.

Old Rule #3: Hide your personality at all costs, formal, formal, formal!

New Trick: While professional matters, it is a good idea to let a bit of personal side show thru in your resume.  Remember people hire people, not paperwork.  Your resume should be easy to read, clear, and to the point.

Old Rule #4: Create the “perfect” paperwork and distribute it widely

New Trick: Create a template that has the core information you want to share with everyone; this is the best of your best.  Then customize your cover letter and resume to fit the needs of each situation.  This helps the reader identify you as someone who can DO the job!

Old Rule #5: List everything in detail that you have ever done in your career

New Trick: Use the space on your resume to focus on the things that you have done that make you qualified to do the job.  Every word on your resume takes up valuable space what you did in that college job ten years ago is likely not to be all that important so keep the explanation to a minimum.

Old Rule #6: List hobbies or personal information on your resume

New Trick: Don’t list any information that is not relevant to your ability to do the job, your age, marital status, or if you have kids has no relevance on your ability to do a job so leave all of that information off of your resume.

Old Rule #7: Fancy is good

New Trick: Leave off anything that will not be pleasing to the electronic eyes that may be looking at your resume.  Most major companies use some kind of document management system to upload your resume into a database.  Make sure you use common fonts and don’t included graphics or images on your resumes.

For more free advice on writing your resume check out http://www.usefulcareeradvice.com

Here’s a great post from Sue Heacock, RN, at NurseTogether.com about how to do just that.  It may take a time, but 30-45 minutes to unwind is not as bad as 4-8 hours if you’re not intentional about leaving work there.

Most people don’t consider having a 30 minute drive to work a blessing, but I would have to disagree.  I have always considered myself fortunate to have ample time to decompress between my home life and career life, and visa-versa!  This is not an easy thing to learn, but once you get the hang of it, you will find yourself happier, more productive, and fulfilled in both locations!

How does one separate the two and decompress?  Here are some helpful tips:

• Consciously make the decision to leave work problems at work and home problems at home.  I have a friend who has a “problem tree” outside the back door of her home.  She literally touches the tree on her way in and out of the house every day and leaves her problems “at the tree”.  Yes…sounds corny, but it works for her!  Find a similar “lucky charm” that works for you!
• Turn it up!  Whether you like books on tape, country music, classic rock, or rap, listen to your favorite distraction on the way to and from work.  This not only gives you enjoyment but decompresses your mind!  Find what works for you and create your own diversion.  However, I would not suggest taking up cigarette smoking or road rage as your new distraction technique!
• Make to do lists at both locations. By having a running to do list at each location, you do not have to try to remember that loaf of bread you need for dinner while you are trying to focus on the appendectomy surgery you are assisting with!  You don’t need to clutter your mind with the loaf of bread because it is on your to do list and has been dumped from your mind.
• The big three: Get enough sleep, exercise, and eat right!   By having a healthy body and positive attitude, you will not feel so stressed at either location!
• Delegate! If you don’t get home from work until 6PM and your children are old enough to help out, or if you have a significant other, have him/her start dinner or run errands so you are not jumping from one stressful situation to another.  It really is okay not to do it all!

But I’ve learned that all this connecting is not always good. When we consider how much time we spend farming on Facebook or reading an endless stream of status updates, I can’t help but wonder, “Isn’t this a waste of time?”

Truth is, it may in fact be, but it may also be completely productive. When technology, and especially social networking, starts distracting us from our goal, from accomplishing what we’re aiming for, then it’s time to put it down. I know, setting down the smart phone, unplugging from the computer, and walking away from our email is a very hard thing to do. However, sometimes that is exactly what we need to do to actually move forward.

As spring continues to blossom, and summer is being heralded in, take some time to unplug. Get out, take a walk, and reflect on how you’re using technology. Do you have a plan for how to make it work for you? Or are you just doing what you’re ‘supposed’ to do and it’s really draining time away from what’s most important?

Originally written and published by Premier Health Careers.

When you’re called into the dreaded office, and the person on the other side of the desk starts going down a road you’re sure will lead you leaving that day with a copy paper box full of your stuff, it creates a sinking feeling in your stomach.  The fretted moment has arrived.  We don’t have to approach it from this perspective!

When we’re losing a job, whether it’s being portrayed as performance or economics, it can be heart wrenching, and hard to keep control of yourself in this highly emotional situation.  However, composing yourself as the professional you are can lead to great opportunities down the road.  Here are five tips to help you get through:

1. Realize it may not be you. When you lose a job, it can be because of a performance issue.  It may be because a company simply has to downsize its staff…arguably one of the highest expenses to an organization.  Keep in mind this may not be a reflection you or your performance…regardless of what the person “dismissing” you may say.
2. Ask for feedback. If you’re being told you’re being let go due to performance, ask for specific feedback.  Face it; we all have areas where personal growth needs to happen.  This feedback can help you identify which areas may need more urgent work than others.  It can also help you ascertain the reality of your situation, if it’s truly for performance.
3. Stay Positive! This is one of the most important aspects.  Keep a positive outlook on your future.  Sure, you may not know where your dinner will come from tomorrow, but that’s part of the adventure of life.  Embrace the chaos, and know this isn’t the end of the world
4. Ask for a reference. There’s no shame in asking for a reference from those with whom you worked and your supervisors.  The worst they can do is say no.
5. Ask what you can do to help the transition. Unless you’re being let go “effective immediately”, a great way of assuring great references is to offer as much help as you possibly can through the transition.  Understand that layoffs are not fun for a company.  All the work you were responsible for is now going to be unloaded on someone else.  Offering to help make sure that person is up to speed can go miles in professionalism.

Remember, being laid-off isn’t the end of the world, in fact it’s not even the end of a book.  Rather, it is the start of a new story.  You have the opportunity now to find the job you will love, or to find a company you can advocate.  Sure, you may have to take a job greeting people at Wal-Mart while you’re looking for that job, but so what?  In the end, this can be a great thing for you, your family, and your career!

Upon watching his presentation at the 2010 TED conference it was clear that America has an issue with food.  We’ve become a fast food nation.  With this mentality we often lose sight of who we are and what we want to accomplish.  Here are a few items we can learn about our careers from the Naked Chef.

1. Be Passionate. There is something you are really good at and very passionate about.  Bank on that skill and passion and make it a vital part of your career.  You don’t have to be super polished and a mega expert on what you’re passionate about, but it should be obvious from talking with you what that passion is.  Ask yourself, what are you passionate about?
2. Do Something that Matters. Jamie Oliver is educating the world one person and group at a time on how we need to change how we eat and live.  He’s doing something that in turn is helping others.  Are you doing something that matters or are you just going through the motions hoping each day will just end so you can go home and sit on your couch?
3. If at first you don’t succeed, Try, Try Again! Trial and error is sometimes the greatest tool that helps us fine tune our skills and our work.  Refining who we are simply makes us stronger as individuals and allows us to bring greater value to everything we do.

People say it only takes one person to start a revolution.  People say it only takes one person to change the world.  People say the only person you can change is yourself.  Are you willing to be that one person?  Are you daily inspiring and influencing those around you?  Looking at your career as a way to influence others for the better is a great way to look at life and make the world a better place.

1.    What’s the vacation time like?
2.    What kind of coffee do you serve?
3.    What would my salary be to start?
4.    When will I get my first raise?
5.    What kind of medical benefits do you provide?
6.    What kind of work does your company do?
7.    Am I a shoe in to get hired here?
8.    How strict is your 8 am start time?
9.    How many smoke breaks can I take?
10.    Do you ever buy lunch for the coworkers?
11.    If I get the job, will I have my own office?
12.    How strict is your dress code?
13.    Is chewing gum allowed?
14.    When is nap time?
15.    Is there a dress code?
16.    How many hours can I spend on Facebook or surfing the internet?

Do you have any of your own too add to the list?

Make sure it’s consistent with your resume. There are a number of times when your paper resume may not be in sync with your online profile.  Be sure they line up.  Having these discrepancies could hurt you in the long run and paint the picture of you being a person who doesn’t pay attention to detail.  Your best bet is to write your resume directly from your LinkedIn Profile or to have it up on your computer screen for easy access.  Having a paper copy of your resume in front of you will give you the opportunity to compare and contrast what’s written in your profile versus what’s in paper form.

Make sure it’s easy to find. This is easily done by making sure your LinkedIn profile web address is personal.  When editing you profile, simply click on the [Edit] button on your Public Profile line.  Using your first and last name is the easiest way for potential employers to find you.  You also want to have your profile address listed in your resume.

Ask for those recommendations. Having other people brag about the great job you’ve done is a tremendous asset to your profile.  It can give the employer a good understanding of what you’ve done and what you’re capable of doing.  LinkedIn has made it simple to ask for the recommendations on their website.  Be sure to follow up with an email or phone call to personally ask the person as well.