Being a nurse is a fantastic career choice to make. Helping others get over accidents and illnesses makes you feel good, even though it can be very stressful and emotional at times. However, if you have enjoyed being a nurse but no longer feel it sits right with where you want to be, where should you start, and what should you be looking for? There are lots of areas of specialization which you may want to look at pursuing, and these can be anything from midwifery care to mental health/psych care. If you have an idea of what you want to pursue, then that is great. However, if you do not feel like you are ready to make a decision or commitment, then take your time and review the options available to you.

Looking for a Change

General nursing is a good profession to pursue, but there will be times when you are good and ready for a change, and it is important that you embrace these changes. Trying to suppress your thoughts and feelings about change will not be beneficial to your well-being or mental health, so don't let other peoples' opinions hinder what you want to do or where you want to go. If you know that you are ready for a change but don't know which area to specialize in, then look at shadowing other employees and staff members (where possible) to ensure that change and development for you arecorrect and on your terms.

Getting Back into Education

Of course, to make change happen and to get into your area of specialization, you must return to education. Studying and improving your knowledge, awareness, and experience is a must for pushing forwards within your nursing career. If you do not make a concerted effort to return to education, then you will struggle to land a position that you know you deserve. When you look at returning to education, it is important to look at a doctor of nursing practice degree because it gives you the opportunity to focus on what you want to, and as it is all online and all from the comfort of your own home, you haven't got to worry about attending a physical campus, which will no doubt save you a little bit of time, money, and stress along the way.

Time to Shift Your Focus

After you have established your new routine and your new pace of studying and working, it is important to shift your focus a little bit and begin looking towards the future. Before you know it,your studying and enhanced education will have come to an end, and unless you have something lined up, you can end up simply stuck in your current position. By shifting your focus when studying and looking towards the future, you can ensure that you do not lose touch with the industry and what is going on. Shifting your focus and looking towards the future can ensure that you do not feel overwhelmed or unnecessarily stressed by everything you are trying to achieve at this moment in time.

New Challenges – Balancing Working and Studying

When you are studying for a DNP, and you are studying from home, you may be studying for up to four years. Within this time, you may find that relationships with others become more strained and difficult to maintain. When you are working and studying, you may struggle to get everything done within the day, and this is when problems begin to arise. Finding and achieving a balance is important, and it is something that you must focus on as soon as possible. If you do not achieve a healthy balance, you will struggle to achieve your DNP without feeling exhausted or burnt out. When balancing work, study, and life in general, you must remember to look after yourself. When you are busy, self-care will often go to the bottom of the pile, and it should not. If you feel like you are not focusing on yourself, then you will struggle to reap the rewards of all of your hard work and effort.

Top Tips for Successfully Studying Online

As studying online will be your new normal for a while, it is important to embrace it as much as you can. So, what can you do to ensure that you get the most out of your studies?

• 1.Have a digital detox day. You do not need to be connected to your electronic devices all of the time, and quite often, you will find that a digital detox for only an hour or two here and there will leave you feeling rejuvenated and revitalized.
• 2.Have agrand plan. When are you going to study and where? When you study online, you can end up going around in circles which will ultimately affect your productivity, which is a shame. So, take some time out before you study to create a timetable for when work, study, and play is happening, and then from here, you can create a plan for the future and try to stick to it as closely as possible.
• 3.Have a dedicated workspace. When you are studying from home, it can be difficult to get peace and quiet, so it is important that you have a space you can quickly retreat to to ensure that you pick up and retain as much information and knowledge as possible.

Starting Work in Your New Specialization

It can be daunting starting a new position or specialization, especially after getting into a routine of studying and working week in, week out. However, now is your time to shine and implement your newfound knowledge and awareness. If you are still within the same hospital or healthcare center, then you may find the transition more difficult than if you had had a clean break or fresh start. If you are carrying on at your place of work, then it can be difficult accepting that areas and departments are run and worked differently, and what you were used to prior to gaining your DNP might no longer be a reflection of what you have and what you do now.