Thriving in Your Career

.

Deborah Hunt PhD, RN

Objectives

Differentiate between surviving and

thriving as operational modes in

healthcare.

Identify three key components of

resiliency.

List specific practices that enhance

growth and resilience in personal and

healthcare careers.

Surviving

Definition:

Survive- to continue to function or

prosper despite; to exist.

Ways to survive in your job:

Be punctual.

Do your best.

Be part of the team

What’s your story?

Are you surviving or thriving?

Perhaps you are still in the survivor or

novice stage.

What is your position?

How long have you been in this

position?

Are you satisfied with this position?

The Survivor

Exists in a position.

May or May not like his/her position.

May not have a good fit.

May not be satisfied in position.

Does what it takes to survive in this

position.

Thriving

Definition-to prosper; be fortunate or

successful.

Ways to thrive in one’s position:

Work hard.

Be punctual.

Be a team player.

Find a mentor.

Continue your education.

Develop your interpersonal skill.

Ways to Survive and Thrive

Think positive.

Think of your current job as a “stepping

stone”.

Don’t let negativity bring you down.

Continue your education.

Seek learning opportunities.

Get involved.

Seek other job opportunities in your

company.

Resiliency

What is Resiliency?

Relationship of Resiliency and

Thriving in one’s position.

Resiliency will help you to face

adversity in the workplace.

Resiliency may increase your level of

job satisfaction.

Resiliency will enable you to improve

your work environment and increase

your organizational commitment.

Resiliency

What is resiliency?

Resiliency definitions have two

essential attributes, “(1) “good” or

positive outcomes that occur in spite

of (2) adverse conditions” (Masten,

2001 as cited in Peterson & Bredow,

2004, p. 344).

Resiliency Quiz Online

You can complete a quiz on your

resiliency at the following

website:http://psychology.about.com/

library/quiz/bl-resiliencea.htm

Lack of Resiliency

Response to stressful situations result

in both physical can psychological

manifestations, such as:

___________________

___________________

___________________

___________________

Qualities related to resiliency

Hardiness = having the ability to deal

positively with a stressful situation.

“Findings have shown that hardiness

enhances resiliency in a wide range

of stressful circumstances”(Maddi

(2005, p. 261).

Ways to develop resiliency

The Resiliency Center

www.resiliencycenter.com

Key Points:

• Be Curious

• Learn how to adapt

• Improve self-esteem

• Self-Confidence

• Positive Relationships

• Honesty, Empathy

• Intuition

• Think Positively

• Stress and Coping

Mentors

History

“The original Mentor is a character in

Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey. When

Odysseus, King of Ithaca went to fight in

the Trojan War, he entrusted the care of

his kingdom to Mentor. Mentor served as

the teacher and overseer of Odysseus’

son, Telemachus” (F. John Reh,

About.com Guide, 2010).

Mentoring

A mentor can help you to survive and

thrive in your job.

Mentoring is a reciprocal relationship

that positively influences the

development of self and career.

Vance & Olsen (1998), describe the

mentoring relationship as the “gift-

exchange phenomenon” (p.3).

Discussion Questions!

Do you have a mentor?

If yes, how did you choose your

mentor?

What qualities does your mentor

possess?

Describe your role as a

mentee/protégé.

Stress Management

Stress management and coping skills

are another important component of

thriving in one’s position.

Discuss your coping strategies and

stress management techniques.

Relaxation Techniques

The 5 minute meditation and deep

breathing exercise.

Case Study

Margie P. is a newly employed nurse assistant on a busy medical-surgical unit. She is feeling very overwhelmed and everyone is “mean” on her unit. She is trying very hard to do the right thing but it seems like someone is always criticizing her. She dreads going to work but she cannot afford to quit and there are no other jobs available.

Discussion Questions!

1. Is Margie “surviving” or “thriving” in

her new job?

2. What do you think Margie’s

resiliency level is?

3. What are some strategies you would

give to Margie so that she can not

only “survive” but “thrive” in her new

position?

Words of Wisdom

Do not follow where the path may

lead. Go, instead, where there is no

path and leave a trail.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

References

The Resiliency Center www.resiliencycenter.com

Peterson, S., & Bredow, T. (2004). Middle Range Theories Application to Nursing Research. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkinson.

Mentors and Mentoring: What is a mentor? By F. John Reh, About. COM Guide

Maddi, S., & Khoshaba, D. (2005). Resilience at Work: How to Succeed No Matter What Life Throws at You. New York: Amacom.

Maddi, S. (2005). On hardiness and other pathways to resilience. American Psychologist, (60), 3,261-272.

Vance, C., & Olson, R. (1998). The Mentoring Connection in Nursing. New York: Springer Publishing.

Vance, C. (2010). Fast Facts for Career Success in Nursing. New York: Springer Publishing