Nursing students are always on the lookout for helpful nursing tips. If you are enrolled in a nursing program, be it online or in-person, you are undoubtedly interested in understanding the steps toward becoming a nurse. We are here to help.
Specifically, what are the steps to becoming a nurse leader? Let us assume you are on track to graduate, take the NCLEX-RN — and pass. Upon starting your first job as a newly minted registered nurse, it will be important to find an appropriate mentor. It may take some time, but eventually, you should be able to identify a more experienced nurse who can offer advice, counsel, and guidance.
We will not sugarcoat it. Your first year as a working nurse may be quite challenging. You will have assumed heavy responsibilities, and you may doubt your knowledge, skills, and judgment at times. Medicine is complex, and ever evolving, so it can seem daunting at first to jump into the deep end, metaphorically speaking. Other, more experienced nurses will undoubtedly be assigned, or simply volunteer, to provide you guidance, reassurance, and assistance. From among these helpful souls, choose a personal mentor who demonstrates an affinity for leadership.
You will need to “pay your dues,” of course. No first-year nurse is going to be assigned immediately to a leadership role. Indeed, the old adage holds true: To be a good leader, you must first learn to be a good follower. That means having the humility to realize that others know more than you, and the willingness to learn from them. Above all else, remember that the patient always comes first. They are your raison d’être — the sole reason you are there, working as a nurse. When in doubt, always ask yourself if your actions serve the best interests of your patients.
Gain Confidence — and Insight
Having the ambition to become a nurse leader is admirable, but allow yourself some time to become a proficient, bedside nurse. The adage noted above recognizes that generals do not spring forth fully formed. The good ones will have begun their military careers fighting in the proverbial trenches, alongside their fellow soldiers. What sets them apart, however, is the realization that perhaps they could do more for the effort by becoming leaders, rather than followers.
Finding a mentor who clicks with you is your best strategy for learning the ropes of leadership. If you find it difficult to admire or emulate the leadership style of a given supervisor or manager, try moving along and finding another. Eventually, you will locate a leader you admire and can learn from. Listen, observe, and learn. Nurse leaders are always in demand, and there is no reason you cannot be one of them. On the other hand, many nurses discover they are happiest while working directly with patients. It is okay to not aspire to a leadership role, too. Not everyone can lead. Followers will always be needed, too.
But if you discover you have it within you to rise to a position of leadership, by all means pursue that ambition. Attend conferences. Network. Join professional organizations, and continue pursuing further education. Find what works best for you. Find a mentor. And continue improving and adding to your skill sets. Administration may not be for everyone, but it is a crucial role within the profession.