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Since there is competition within the nurse practitioner field, it is very significant that one must market themselves in order to present their professional best to future employers. One of the best ways to market yourself is to create a career portfolio. A portfolio exhibits the framework of an individuals accomplishments (Weber, 2016). Initially, I would build my portfolio during my practicums. Through the right mentorship, I will gain abundant knowledge in my specialty as well start positive networking that will be in my favor when job seeking after graduation.
A few strategies, I plan on using within my professional development goals include using professional social media platforms and joining nursing organizations for networking and staying up to date on evidence-based practices. According to Daninhirschs article, Its Not Just What You Know, Corporations are not the only entities that can have a brand; your individual brand is what defines you in your career, and anything you can do to construct that brand is going to work for you in the long run (pg.15).
One of the first strategies that I will do is to try to network more. Due to the Covid epidemic and the frequent upgrades of technology in these modern times, most networking is made initially virtually by social media. I personally like using the professional networking site Linkedin. I have found many professional connections and employers throughout my nursing career through Linkedin. Networking provides many new opportunities, personal development, collaborative research, policy activism, evidence-based practice, and many more benefits. Covey (2013) describes the importance of enlarging our circles of influence in order to be able to affect change within our circles of concern.
Another one of my strategies that will help with my professional development goals is by joining nursing organizations such as the Tennessee Nurses Association since Tennessee is where I reside. There are many other nursing organizations I am interested in such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Nurse Honor Guard. Through the Tennessee Nurses Association and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, I can grow professionally by connecting with other experienced nurses and keep up to date on evidence-based practice. On a more personal note, I am currently interested in joining the Nurse Honor Guard because I really love what this organization stands for. I feel that being in this organization will help me remember why I became a nurse when times seem tough and to remember to remain humble and kind. To remember that it is a privilege to be able to care for someone at the most vulnerable times of their life and to as well appreciate the former nurses who paved the way for me and other new nurses and future nurses. The Nurses Honor Guard pays tribute to nurses at the time of their death by performing the Nightingale Tribute at the funeral or memorial service (Tobrocke, J.-J.,2018). This service is like a military tribute and officially releases the nurse from their nursing duties. Being able to be a part of honoring another nurse and commemorating them with their families is very special. I feel that nursing is a calling, and one must love taking care of others in order to push through and stay in health care. Nurses, as well as other health care professionals, should always be appreciated because this job is not for the faint of heart.
