Nurses Get it Done – Tips for Staying Motivated

Staying motivated can be a challenge. Daily responsibilities, on-going stress, and other obligations can cause you to lose sight of your personal goals, especially when pursuing long-term aspirations like furthering your career through continuing education. But if there's any profession that enforces the ability to keep cool under pressure, it's nursing. To put it simply, nurses get it done. Still, everyone struggles to find motivation sometimes. Here are four tips for nurses on how to stay driven and achieve success.

Have specific goals

When setting goals for yourself, it's important to have specific benchmarks in mind so you can create a roadmap to get there. Do you have a specific job promotion in mind? What level of education and certifications are required? Are there any work skills you'd like to improve? What opportunities at work will allow you to focus on that skill? Asking these questions when setting goals will allow you to measure your progress, which in turn will help you keep your eye on the prize.

Be organized, but flexible

Having an established course of action is an important part of setting and achieving goals. When you have a long-term plan in place, it's easier to keep yourself on track. It also gives you a timeframe in which you can set deadlines, the ultimate motivator.

However, it's also necessary to stay flexible. Plans change, timelines don't always pan out, and unexpected bumps in the road are imminent. Being able to adapt to any situation, for example, lightening your online degree course load to handle an uptick in your work schedule) makes it possible to achieve your goals, even if it takes a slightly different path.

Find your support system

Nurses spend most of their time taking care of others, but often forget to ask for the care what they need. Tap your family members, friends, colleagues and mentors for support. These people can lend an ear, suggest helpful advice and cheer you up when you need it most. They'll also be the first to celebrate with you when you achieve something great.

Have a positive mindset

Having a good attitude all the time is nearly impossible, especially when you've been on your feet for an entire 10-hour shift. But the mind can be a powerful thing. When you expect to reach your goals instead of just hoping to do so, you're more likely to succeed. When you choose to get motivated, you are more likely to feel motivated.