Introduction
Today, people change jobs more often than the previous generations. However, changing jobs may very easily turn into mindless job-hopping without a solid career plan. Thus, developing a strategic career plan is crucial, as it creates a vision, a final destination of one’s career path, and a roadmap to arriving at that final destination. A strategic career plan identifies strengths and weaknesses, sets priorities for development, and develops confidence. Ultimately, a formulated, realistic career plan inspires and motivates one to do one’s best every day to achieve the goal. The present paper discusses my strategic career plan by describing my long-term goals, ideal work situation, networking ideas, and desires for future practice.
Vision
I do not have far-going career plans, as my central priority is my family. My long-term goal is to open a small wellness clinic for adults in Tampa, FL, that works from 8 am until 5 pm. However, at this point, I am not sure if I want to have individual practice, as it may mean working extra hours, which will negatively affect my family. Thus, in the nearest future, I want to work as a hospice NP providing end-of-life care to geriatric patients. In my job, I look for the application of my skills and flexible working hours, as I want to dedicate most of my time to my family. The desired salary is $115,000 with all standard benefits, including sick leaves, vacations, health insurance, and retirement plans. In summary, I have modest achievable plans for the future.
Ideal Work Situation
Ideally, I want to work as a hospice nurse in Tampa, FL, providing end-of-life care for older adults. The modern generation often forgets about their older relatives, as family bonds are no longer as strong as they used to be. I want to care for geriatric patients, as I want to let them know that they are still important. At the same time, I do not like hectic office environments. I prefer slow pace-life with traditional values and an atmosphere of tranquillity. At the same time, I do not want to leave Tampa, even though it is the 48th most populous city in the US. All my friends and relatives are here, and it would be stressful for my family and me to change our lifestyle. In five years, I see myself as an on-call after-hour hospice NP working from home. I am working hard to achieve that goal.
Job Search and Interviews
Today, modern technology has provided employees with a myriad of ways to find their dream job. These ways include job boards, career websites, and company websites. At the same time, traditional methods remain applicable, as people often find jobs through referrals, job fairs, and temping. I like to find jobs through referrals, as it is a way that helps to develop relationships of trust in the shortest possible time. Referrals help the employer, and the employee gets to know each other from a reliable source before the actual meeting. However, it is difficult to rely on referrals to find one’s dream job. Therefore, I prefer looking for a job using corporate websites. Location is crucial; therefore, I find all the suitable healthcare facilities in the desired area and visit their websites to see if they are hiring. If I find a vacancy that interests me, I will call the employer and schedule an interview.
I realize that interviews are extremely important for receiving the desired job. Thus, I understand that one must prepare for the interview to ensure the desired outcome. However, I believe that one does not need much preparation to go through an interview. During interviews, I am always honest, as I have all the needed certification, experience, knowledge, and skill. When I go for an interview, I am always sure that I am the best fit for the vacancy. There are two things I always learn before the interview. First, I study the terms of every vacancy thoroughly and determine if they are applicable. Second, I try to do in-depth research on the hiring organization, to ensure that the company’s vision, mission, relationships with employees, and service levels are adequate.
Networking
Networking is essential in today’s healthcare, as it helps to share the experience and knowledge among care providers around the globe. Today, there are numerous websites, such as DailyRounds and Sermo, that help care providers network freely online. On these websites, medical professionals can ask anonymous questions and share opinions about cases. I believe that even though networking is crucial, many ethical and privacy questions can emerge in online services. Therefore, I try to limit my networking experience.
Individual Practice
As mentioned earlier, my vision is to start individual practice to provide acute care for the adult population. I want to become the sole provider with two assistants. I will work normal hours, from 8 am until 5 pm for a small community. If I decide to start individual practice, I will acquire a loan to finance it. I will market my practice as high-quality care nearby. I will make emphasize the fact that care will have a personal touch, as I try to address the individual needs of every patient.
Conclusion
Personal career plans are extremely important, as they set long-term goals and help to draw a path to achieving them. Career plans do not have to be ambitious; however, they should inspire and motivate. My career plan is modest, as I want to be a hospice NP with an average salary and flexible working hours. I believe that while a career is important, there are other aspects of wellness that I need to consider, including physical health, social life, emotional stability, intellectual development, and spiritual harmony.