Many people are under the impression that nice guys finish last. On the contrary, being nice can help you achieve your goals. If you are seeking a career change or are simply interested in gaining the skills needed to impress others, consider following the advice in this article.
A good first step is to work towards improving your social care skills. As part of your efforts to gain clinical knowledge, you should consider taking courses in primary care medicine. In particular, you may wish to complete a course in social and applied behavioural analysis, or SBA. These courses will help you develop an understanding of why certain behaviours are considered acceptable and others are considered inappropriate. You will also gain valuable insight into the strategies that professionals in your area use to encourage positive behaviour and discourage unwanted behaviour.
If you feel that you need further assistance with your understanding of social care, consider getting into a supervised placement with a reputable local charity or voluntary organisation. By collaborating with such organisations, you will be able to obtain specialist knowledge in one of the areas most relevant to your career plans. For example, if you are interested in treating pregnant women and their babies, a placement with a local welfare clinic could provide valuable guidance. Alternatively, you could decide to work in a voluntary centre, supporting and training other NCCDs (registered nursing staff) in your area, contributing towards a truly comprehensive set of skills.
Another option to consider if you want to gain clinical skills as part of your career direction is to join a quality standards consultancy. These groups typically hold yearly professional development workshops to allow its members to come together to share information about current best practice, as well as exchange experiences and solutions for improving standards across the board. Joining a NCCD’s quality standards consultancy is particularly useful if you are considering training to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist or CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist). With the help of a quality standards consultancy group, you will be able to access a whole range of resources that will allow you to pursue a career as a CRNA.
In addition to learning about current best practice, you will also have the opportunity to network with other healthcare professionals in your field. Clinical guidelines can be updated on a regular basis by participating in quality standards workshops. As part of your networking, you might even make some connections to public health and social care services that you would not otherwise have been aware of.
It doesn’t matter what you intend to do with your clinical knowledge, joining a quality standards consultancy or a local voluntary organization is likely to be a good move. Not only will you be able to increase your own skills, but you will be helping others do the same. You will have gained valuable contacts and would-be employers will pick up on your nice leadership qualities. This would be a case of “follow the leader” that really works!