Lucky Ducks?

If you’ve read some of our Star Performer stories, you’re probably wondering how these people got such a lucky break. Is it dumb luck or something more?
Lynne Drummond, Clinical Nurse Educator for Menlo Park Surgical Hospital and Administrator for Monterey Doctors Surgery Center, shares her insights.

The first step is getting your foot in the door. Whether it’s a personal connection or what you do to set yourself apart i.e. taking a course in a field of interest—you need to get noticed. We recently posted an ad for a receptionist position and received over 150 applications in three days. We interviewed several candidates and chose the one who was enrolled in a medical terminology course. Her decision to pursue education on her own spoke volumes about her initiative and interest in healthcare. She simply stood out—in a good way.

When you get an “in,” make the most of it, says Lynne. Demonstrate your aptitude by performing your assigned tasks consistently well, do more than what is asked, and continue to invest in your skills. We had an instrument tech interested in learning about materials management. She researched available courses and then presented it to us. We rewarded her initiative and paid for the course. Many employers will pay for courses that will enable you to improve your performance or take on new responsibilities – especially if you are a strong performer.

If you have clinical aspirations but don’t have the credentials, consider seeking opportunities with smaller providers. Doctors’ offices and smaller facilities offer services that often require less skill. If they have enough experienced staff, they may be willing to provide on‐the‐job training. If you have the good fortune to get a strong, knowledgeable and patient mentor be prepared to work hard and learn everything you can. Become more knowledgeable by reading policy manuals and trade publications to get up to speed. If you need to, undertake formal training to close your knowledge gap.

Think too, about what works for your life. Smaller facilities are often great for working moms and students who may need flexible schedules. If you’re ready to take on more, a larger facility may be the right fit. Generally larger facilities have more applicants and are less flexible about deviating from their stated candidate qualifications. Clearly articulating how your experience and education relate to the needs of the facility/team will better position you for success in this situation.

Whether you start out small or aspire to a role requiring more experience, don’t be disheartened if success isn’t immediate. Be proactive. Seek out education, establish experience and make yourself stand out for the right reasons. And honestly, a little luck never hurts.

Questions about becoming a nurse? Ask Lynne. Post your questions for Lynne as a reply.