Your Guide to a Successful PN Career

Making the choice to pursue a career as a practical nurse is one of the strongest and most generous things that you can do. But making the decision to change careers or start a new one can be nerve wracking and leave you with lots of questions for the future. You may be concerned about being successful in your new career as a practical nurse. This guide will show you the way to having a successful and rewarding career as you move forward to becoming a PN.

Start With A Strong Foundation

The best way to set yourself up for success in any career path is to lay a strong foundation with a good education. Make sure that you take the time to do your research before selecting an accredited program to get your education to become a PN. Be sure to select a program that will be able to provide you with the support and assistance that you will need to fully comprehend all of the material. You should also find out if they offer any job placement upon graduation from the program, which can be very useful in getting hired as soon as possible and putting your new skills to work.

Get To Know Your Strengths

Throughout your training and education, pay close attention to the different areas of practical nursing. Get to know where your strengths are and what skills or knowledge you feel the most comfortable with. For example, you may find certain tasks to be challenging but others just seem to come naturally to you. When it comes time for you to select what type of position you want, it will be important to take a look back at your course work and remember where your strengths are. Selecting a position that will allow you to utilize and showcase your strengths will give you better odds of getting recognized for doing superior work.

Allow For Hands-on Training

One of the best ways to ensure that your new employees have a thorough grasp of how to perform their duties on the job is to allow them to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty while shadowing you. The process of allowing a new employee to shadow an experienced team member allows the opportunity for new practical questions to arise. It also presents an opportunity for new employees to truly feel comfortable while performing their daily on-the-job tasks in the manner that will be expected of them before being on their own.

Do Your Research

Don't just take the first job you see once you graduate. If you want to be successful as a practical nurse you need to take the time to find a job that you will enjoy. Research different types of practical nursing positions and work environments and apply for the ones that sound best for you. Go on multiple interviews and ask as many questions as you can from interviewers.

Prepare Yourself

After graduating from your practical nursing program, it will be time to prepare yourself for the job market. Be sure to update your resume to highlight your practical nurse experience and education. It is also a good idea to get letters of recommendation for your teachers or another practical nurse professional. Finally, it is a good idea to update or create a profile on LinkedIn, if you don't already have one. Doing so will help potential employers to find you, see your skill set, your work history, your education, and any endorsements that others have given you.

To learn more about a career as a Practical Nurse, and whether it’s the right fit for you, schedule an appointment with Athena Career Academy today. One meeting with our Admissions counselors could help put you on the path to a successful new career that could change your life for the better.