Publishing and presenting is a great way to make a name for yourself.
Ideas for non-academic publishing/speaking
Many people worry that they can't publish or present until they are more established, or already viewed as an expert. You have the word "Doctor" in your title -- you are expert enough, you just need to get started.
Focus on the success of your organization and how your skills will drive that success. You know what you can do and you know what your organization needs.
Find ways to explain the benefit of your education and experience to the organization and stakeholders. This is a great way to use your elevator pitch. Identify your organization's values and link your skills to supporting those values.
You have skills and perspective that no one else has. Many companies will value your unique insight, but not as a full-time employee. Consider consulting. An organization may need your help for implementing one QI project, or assessing workplace issues.
Example of a nurse consultant in operation
Build your public speaking skills
Pursue coaching for nurse leaders
Or build your own coaching practice
Learn more about marketing
Many of you are familiar with the adage
When you mentor others, it cements your knowledge and opens unexpected opportunities. Putting something in perspective for others often puts in in perspective for you. Find a structured mentorship program, or engage with nurses in your workplace as an unofficial mentor.
Join at least one professional organization and become involved. This is a great way to begin speaking, publishing, presenting, and mentoring. There are many professional nursing organizations. Check out those below, or find one that is more suitable for your area:
A big part of selling your new skill set is telling people what you can do. You won't necessarily have a lot of time, so you'll need to be concise. It's time to develop your elevator pitch.
Check out the following resources to help you devise a speech:
Once you have your pitch written:
Selling yourself requires knowing what you bring to an organization. To know what you bring, you have to know your worth. A skills inventory is a tool that will help you get very clear on what you can do. Use your elevator speech to translate the worth of those skills to potential employers.
There are hundreds of examples of ways to build your inventory. Try the examples above, or use a search engine to find something that suits you better. Even if you just put it on paper or in an Excel document, reflect on what you can do so that you can articulate it to others.
Join clubs or associations in your area in order to build your network
Social media can be a great way to market yourself and what you know:
