Where Do I Start?

As I travel across the country talking to nurses about business topics, I always have two or three nurses approach me during the break and the questions go something like this..."I want to get out of the hospital but I don't know where to start. Can you help me?"

My first response is always the same, "what do you like to do".

The conversations begin to vary a bit at that point but rarely do I get a concrete, specific answer. Many times I hear what it is that you don't like or I hear vague responses about helping people.

If you want something different, you must re-discover your strengths and your passions.

It takes some skill and guidance in order to do this in a way that will result in a rewarding, new career. Since this was not my area of expertise, I looked for the best resource I could find so that I could help all of the nurses who approached me during my workshops. I found the book Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham. I saw him on Oprah and watched his workshop (download from iTunes podcast) and I knew that these tools are the perfect first step for any nurse who is looking for a new path.

Before looking for a new job, take some time to get very clear about what it is that you absolutely love to do.

In his workshop (and in the book) he asks you to spend one week and to document those things that you LOVE and LOATHE. Once you have a few things written down, he takes you to the next step...For everything that you LOVE, find a verb that describes what it is that you enjoyed.

For example: when I did this exercise, everything that I loved involved researching, fixing something, or teaching. I also realized that I was in a nearly perfect career for me because that is exactly what I do 80%-90% of the time. What a relief!!

The same applied to the things I loathed. I really don't like managing the details. That's why I need someone to prepare my presentations, and handle my calendar. I found a resource to help me with my weaknesses (those things that make me feel weak).

Before you attempt to change jobs or careers, I highly encourage you to watch the workshop on iTunes or read Now, Discover Your Strengths. It is the perfect first step to your new life. If after you get through the book you still want or need some help crystallizing your strengths, send me an email. I would be happy to help.

Introduction

My name is Angie Milhous and I became a registered nurse in 1988. Like so many of you, I entered the hospital work force armed with passion, ideals, hope, and ambition. I spent two years in adult med/surg ICU and five years in pediatric intensive care. And then I got tired. I was tired of nights, weekends, and holidays...tired of being exposed to blood borne pathogens and infections...tired of having too little time to actually feel like I was making a difference. So I decided to make a career change.

I have now had a hugely rewarding career in the business world but the transition was not easy. As with any job or any career, to be successful you have to learn the culture, the environment, the etiquette.

I created this blog for any nurse who is interested in transitioning to the business world. I will share my secrets and lessons learned from my own personal journey. Everything from making technology work for you to submitting ideas to senior management...from participating in meetings to managing new projects. I will even teach you what questions to ask in order to accelerate your learning curve and become a sought after resource.

After traveling the country over the past few months, teaching these skills at career fairs, I realized how many nurses want to make a career change but just don't know where to start.

This site is your ticket to normal work hours, holidays with your family, and a work environment that doesn't include any bodily fluids (except your own)...