Five ways nurses can improve their work performance

We all start our professional careers at entry-level with the hope that one day we will reach a better designation. It is like climbing the ladder step by step to enjoy the pleasure of reaching the top. Every manager that we see today was once an intern in some company until they got a promotion by performing well. Growth is an essential part of not only life but our occupations as well. With every upgraded designation comes responsibilities and better income. Admit it or not, we all have room for improvements no matter how professional we are or the amount of expertise we have. There is no limit for growth and advance towards better opportunities.

We all know the struggles of renowned business icons and doctors all around the world. Successful people always strive for growth and improvement. Be it a doctor, nurse, radiologist, or even your regular carpenter, they all look for ways to improve and satisfy their customers. In the healthcare industry, a patient’s health is the utmost priority. The management always implements new methods by changing its policies or introducing technologies for the comfort of patients and care providers. Working in a corporate sector can still endure a mistake, which is reversible, but a slight error in the healthcare system can cause a disaster. When we talk about the healthcare industry, we refer to life and death situations with no alternative.

Nurses and doctors can also experience burnout and can fall prey to stress. These physical and emotional burdens may lead to a low-performance than usual. Many reasons can affect our work performance, but it does not mean that we cannot strive back to ace our game. The Healthcare industry has plentiful jobs for nurses and doctors, and we all know about the shortage of nurses in these crucial times. Many nursing aspirants look for similarities in BSN vs. MSN degrees to map their career growth and future opportunities.

 

We all face our professional lows at one point or another, but we can always improve our skills and performance. If you are experiencing professional blues as a nurse, here are a few ways to improve your work performance.

  1. Set a goal

Our brain responds more effectively to set targets and deadlines than working randomly. While we are in our professional lives, one of the robust ways is to set small goals. For instance, if you have a report to align and submit to your heads, instead of spending the whole day, fix a few hours for that report. These small goals will help you with your daily tasks, but we can also set goals for our future. Think about how you want to view your professional life? Will it be working whole life as an entry-level nurse, or you would like to work as a travel nurse or an educator? Once you set your goals, try to look for the methods and ways to achieve them. Talk to your colleagues and supervisors to get their advice and start working towards your goals.

  1. Develop critical reasoning and thinking

The profession of nursing cannot survive without the critical thinking and problem-solving skills of nurses. They should be able to adapt to changes in different scenarios and shall take quick actions as per need. Thinking outside the box comes handy when you are dealing with a life and death situation. Try to observe the setting of every room and where they place the necessary supplies. Knowing the locations of critical essentials such as gloves, masks, and other tools will reduce the procedure and will help you with focus and concentration on a patient’s condition. In case there is no doctor available on the ground, a nurse shall be able to assess the diagnosis and its effect on the patient’s life-span and what measures they can take.

  1. Do not ignore your health

If we are not healthy ourselves, we cannot provide care to our patients. The medical field is indeed a tough place to work. Nurses often get the effect more than a doctor as they are continuously interacting with patients, and they build a kind of connection with them. If a patient dies, it is not only the family that feels sad, but nurses also receive the effect. Stress and depression are apparent in such a profession, and working long hours can expose you to burnout. Try to spare a little snack break for yourself where you can eat and regain your energy. Take breaks between long working hours to avoid physical strain on your body. Take some time to meditate, or have a brisk walk to have a better focus and energy.

  1. Be a part of a committee

Another way to improve your work performance is to join a committee. You can adjust your performance by meeting and talking to new people working in the same field as yours. Keep an eye on the opportunities to join a club or committee that can offer you exposure with new people other than your workplace or give you a chance to attend their meetings to exchange knowledge and experience.

  1. Continue learning

Learning is a never-ending process, and it always helps us to improve and grow further towards excellence. Our annual evaluation gives us an insight into our strengths and weaknesses. Instead of waiting for every year’s appraisal, conduct your self-assessment and SWOT analysis after every three months. This way, you will have an idea about your grey areas and can take steps to overcome your challenges and grab opportunities. If you come across any short courses or diplomas that can enhance your professional credentials, do not hesitate to access the opening, and gain more knowledge. If you have only a bachelor’s degree, you can enroll yourself in a master’s program, which will open more professional pathways and experience and expertise.

Conclusion

If you think that joining the healthcare industry will leave you stagnant or with little career growth, then it is certainly not the case. The nursing profession provides ample opportunities to flourish, but we cannot excel without better work performance. Effective time management, better coordination, and guiding each other can ease the hindrances that we face at our workplace.