What's Next?

Kati Kleber, BSN, RN, CCRN, is a nationally certified critical care nurse who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. The author of ANA’s Admit One and the self-published Becoming Nursey, and a blogger and podcaster on top nursing trends, Kati was recognized by the Charlotte Business Journal as “2015 Nurse of the Year.” A recipient of the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina award, Kati has also been featured across a number of media outlets, including CNN, The Dr. Oz Show, U.S. News, The TODAY Show, and many more.

Author’s Introduction: Finding Your Way to Your Dream Job and Career Path
Shining a Light on Nursing Professional Development
Chapter 1. Presenting Two Career Paths: The Power of the Advanced Beginner
Two Nursing Career Paths
The Complacent Path
The “Challenge Me” Path
Chapter 2. Learning How to be a Charge Nurse: Some “Challenge Me” Scenarios
Scenario 1. Pre-Shift Change
Scenario 2. Shift Change
Scenario 3. The First Patient
Scenario 4. The First Patient Arrives
Scenario 5. The Unstable Patient
Scenario 6. The Inappropriate Admission
Approaches to Being an In-Charge Nurse
Chapter 3. Becoming an Awesome Preceptor: Orienting the Newbies
What’s a Preceptor?
Task-Focused Nurses
Your Attitude as a Preceptor
Goal Setting for Results
Documentation for Orientation
Identifying a Mentor
Time Management: Drowning A Little
Evaluating Yourself as Preceptor
Communication and Challenges
Promote Independence
When They’re Not Progressing
Phases of Orientation
Phase One: The Lay of the Land
Phase Two: The Training Wheels Are On
Phase Three: Let Them Fly
Chapter 4. Mentoring New Nurses: Growing the Newbies
Appropriate Mentoring Works on Multiple Levels
The Nurse Preceptor
The Nurse Mentor
The Team Approach to Mentoring and Precepting
Who Should Be a Mentor?
Mentor Responsibilities and Expectations
Leading By Example
Know Your Boundaries
When the Mentee Isn’t as Awesome as They Seemed
Sample Timeline of a Mentee-Mentor Relationship (12-Week Orientation)
Weeks 1 to 2: Getting Oriented to the Orientation
Weeks 2 to 4: Building a Stronger and Trusting Relationship
Weeks 4 to 6: Continuing to Invest
Weeks 6 to 10: Making Sure All Bases Are Covered
Weeks 10 to 12: Winding Down the Orientation
After Orientation: Keep on Building Confidence
What’s Next? The Smart Nurse’s Guide to Your Dream Job
Chapter 5. Continuing Your Education: Going Back to School
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
RN to BSN Completion/Bridge Programs
Graduate Degrees and Graduate Preparation in Nursing
How Do I Know What I Want to Do?
School Shopping
The Biggest Mistake You Can Make
Requirements for Acceptance
Finances
Quality of the School
Logistics of the Program
Chapter 6. Extending Your Professional Creds:
Organizations, Certifications, and Conferences
National Professional Organizations: What They Are,
Why They’re Important
National Certification and the Organizations
That Award Them
National Conferences
Chapter 7. Moving into the Extraordinary:
Magnet Designation and Shared Governance
Magnet Designation
Shared Governance in Nursing
Chapter 8. Dealing with Negative Coworkers:
Steps to Positive Unit Culture
Step 1. Become Aware
Step 2. Respond with Confidence
Step 3. Encourage the Positive
Step 4. Don’t Let It Disrupt Your Game
Step 5. Reap the Benefits
Chapter 9. From One Nurse to Another:
My Challenge to You
Make It the Career You Have Always Dreamed Of
References
Recommended Reading
Index