Whatever your profession is in life you most likely aim to climb the ladder, reach the top of the hierarchy. It’s in our human nature to want to be better than others, to compete and continuously chase improvement.

Nursing is a profession that already demands a great deal of dedication and sacrifice. And, these sacrifices are necessary to move up the ladder in this profession.

The healthcare environment is severely competitive. Nurses work for long hours. Sometimes they give in more hours than their shift requires. But that’s just the kind of demanding job that nursing is.

Even if compassion draws nurses to the profession, it isn’t enough to keep them there for the rest of their careers. A promotion is a more convincing inducement to keep nurses continuing without losing their heads when time allows.

However, moving up the hierarchy in a profession as daunting as nursing isn’t a walk in the park. It’s more like a walk in Macy’s with a sale up to 75% off. You have to fight your way to get what you want.

The following is a step by step guide to climbing the nursing hierarchy according to a friend of ours who is a highly appreciated nurse. But the steps can also be applied to any other profession if you implement them.

6 Ways to Reach the Top Hierarchy in Nursing:

1. Earn an Advanced Degree.

A Master of Science in Nursing, MSN, may make a big difference in your career. An MSN won’t just qualify you for potential growth chances in the healthcare industry.

Still, it will provide you with a lot of flexibility, which is great for a constantly overworked nurse. There’s no denying that you can pursue a range of career options in nursing after obtaining an advanced degree.

Nurses can go for managerial positions, become lecturers in a medical institution, collaborate with researchers in the healthcare industry, or become directors of nursing.

Most of these professions require nurses to have advanced qualifications. Such degrees help you to earn a handsome amount.

Suppose being the director intrigues your interest, and you must be wondering about the director of nursing salary. A nurse in a directorial role’s salary is between $92,000 and $100,000 in the US on average. Aim for big, and conquer bigger.

In any profession, getting a higher degree is probably the most essential way to climb the ladder.

2. Develop a Career Plan.

It’s okay if you’re in this profession because you want to help your people. You also need to realize you can’t help them if you don’t help yourself first.

Pen down your goals and objectives in this profession, and don’t just keep them limited to helping other people. Ask yourself where you want to be in ten years.

Are you still fixing someone’s IV, or are you conducting a seminar on best nursing practices? Your objectives could include learning new skills, focusing on a certain field, obtaining further certifications, becoming a nursing director, instructing students, or anything else.

List down the promotions you’ll need on your way to advance to the next step. Consider the requirements of each. Review the career plan from time to time. Stick to it religiously.

Making a plan no matter what you do will give you a clear map to know where you are going. It will make things more clear for you.

3. Become a Team Player.

Your team can either make you or break you; working with other people transitions to working on top of other people. If you’re not good with the people working with you, how will you ever be good with people working under you?

Be collaborative, compete for opportunities, and take up the most work. In school, the smartest option would be to get the easiest job in the group.

Well, there is no room for convenience in the nursing profession.

Your ability to collaborate, coordinate, and communicate will determine your future in healthcare.

Miscommunications are the worst in this line of work. They can cost someone their life.

Whatever you do, playing as if you are against everyone will not just hold you back, but it will create negative environment. Instead use a collaborative frame and you’ll see how things get easier.

4. Volunteer For Extra Duties.

Nurses already have a lot on their plate. The extra hours might seem like a little too much. Nevertheless, they will pay off. The only way to make people remember your name is to do extra work.

Recognition plays a significant part in who gets promoted. Volunteering will also help you beat the competition. While this won’t necessarily be the best of incentives, earning extra experience can be.

If you put in more hours in your work than other people, there’s a chance that you’ll learn more than them. Regardless of profession, a person with more experience will end up in a more prestigious role.

There is a saying that goes something like this “the person who does more than they should will sooner or later get more than they asked for“. So any extra work even if it doesn’t earn you anything now it will at least give you more experience.

5. Enjoy Your Job.

Witnessing death and trauma on an everyday basis isn’t a very suitable environment to maintain your happy go lucky persona.

But of course, this is the one profession where people need to remain happy and hopeful at all costs. Not letting the negativity at work affect you can go a long way.

Sometimes you’ll come across as angry and upset patients. Sometimes you’ll work 36 hour shifts. Sometimes, another superior will take credit for your work.

Don’t let the adversity of what you do get the best of you. Walking cheerfully at work will also inspire others around you. Happy people are likable, and isn’t this what nursing is all about, being likable and trustworthy?

Being content will make you better at your job too. All of this positive image will help you reach the top of the hierarchy in lesser time and with lesser hassle. Learn how to deal with work stress.

Everyone can see a person who hates their job and a person who loves their job. But it’s not about finding a perfect job because any job has some things that are just stressful. It’s about learning how to love your job and managing your stress. Find the small things.

6. The Bottom Line.

While every profession is highly exhausting, nursing is ten times more.

Being stuck in a rut in your nursing career isn’t any less than physical labor. Start working today to earn a prestigious role ten years from now.

Earn an advanced degree and special certifications. Construct a roadmap for the goals and objectives you want to accomplish on your way. Work in teams and be friendly with the people around you.

However, don’t let your friendliness undermine you against your competition. Work extra hours to gain recognition in the eyes of superiors. Love your job and be your biggest supporter.

And most importantly, make sure that you do your job right. It all comes down to that no matter what you do.