Career Change Resumes

Creating Sustainable Benefits in Lean Six Sigma using Change Management Process
Using Change Management Process to achieve sustainable benefits in a Lean Six Sigma deployment
Many companies struggle to get good traction with their Lean Six Sigma deployments. They spend time training Six Sigma Green Belts and Six Sigma Black Belts and launch an initial set of projects only to find that very few of the projects actually get completed, and that even fewer are able to create truly sustainable benefits. Why is this and how can it be prevented?
The main reason for these issues of traction is that those responsible for the deployment (or perhaps the General Leadership within the Company) fail to take account of the fact that introducing Lean Six Sigma is a major change for a Company, and that to be successful Change Management techniques need to be employed.
Jack Welch, who introduced Lean Six Sigma into General Electric (GE), was well aware of this fact and utilized a GE programme called ‘Change Acceleration Process’, or CAP for short, to manage the Change Management side of the deployment.
One of the key concepts of CAP is the E=Q*A equation, where ‘E’ stands for ‘The effectiveness of any change programme’, ‘Q’ stands for the ‘Technical Quality’ of the programme, and ‘A’ stands for the ‘Organisational Acceptance’ of the programme.
Now imagine we were to mark both the ‘Q’ side and the ‘A’ side of a deployment with scores ranging between 1 and 10. Since the overall effectiveness of the programme ‘E’ is the product of both ‘Q’ and ‘A’, then it is clear that we need to get good scores for both to be truly effective (a score of at least 60), and obtain the traction required to achieve a sustainable Lean Six Sigma programme.
Most of us in the Lean Six Sigma community, being the type of people that we are, will ensure that the ‘Technical Quality’ of our Lean Six Sigma training is high. This can be achieved by utilizing a recognized deployment model from a selection of the well known consultancy companies, and so we should easily obtain an 8 or more score for the ‘Q’ side of the equation. How many of us could put our hand on our hearts and say, however, that we deserve such a high score for the ‘A’ side of the equation? Thus if we can only truly deserve a 2 or 3 for ‘Organisational Acceptance’ then it is not surprising that we struggle to get traction (as the equation would predict – 8*3=24).
Some organizations don’t help the Belts with really good Six Sigma Champions and Process Owners, fail to free them up to spend the time they need on their projects, don’t ensure that the correct systems and structures are in place to support them, and then complain when the belts fail to deliver!
So important was Change Management to Jack Welch that he urged those engaged in change within his company to spend 50% of their time on ‘A’ side activities. Yes – you did hear that right – 50%. Now GE’s CAP programme had a whole bunch of propriety tools to assist the change agents achieve a good ‘A’ score, but there are many other tool sets you can use.
Where:
Goals – define and communicate a common vision and objective for the programme
Process – develop an implementation plan, tools, milestones, and determine how to measure results
Organisation – implement an organizational structure to support people/skills as mapped to processes and goals
People – training, motivation, career planning & communication
Rewards – plans to recognize success and learn from failure
Such a model will help ensure you consider all the vital elements, but never underestimate the time and effort that will be required to ensure you obtain the high ‘A’ score vital for a successful deployment.
What if you are already within a deployment and suffering from a lack of traction? Well it’s never too late to start addressing the Organisational Acceptance element of a deployment. Take a sounding of the gripes of the Belts, the workers and the management and put a plan together to address the issues.
And remember that sending out a bunch of unsupported BB’s and GB’s into an environment that has not been property prepared is about as effective as sending the troops into ‘no mans land’ to face the machine guns. Always consider the need for ‘Change Management’ unless you’re happy to risk your Belts being shot down.

Even if you’re currently a restaurant’s resident dishwasher, it is still very possible for you to climb the ladder to the very top with hard work, persistence and the right set of skills. A lot of restaurant operators seek people who already have ample experience in nearly all restaurant duties, so if you’ve been rotating on different tasks for the past months or years, you already have one foot in the door.
However, given the present times, most owners are eyeing potential candidates who have formal qualifications to fill supervisory and managerial roles in the company. While experience also carries a lot of weight, job opportunities are likely to be more open and better if you have an associate or bachelor’s degree to your name, particularly those that have something to do with restaurant and institutional food service management.
Understanding Your Work Conditions
A restaurant manager’s daily life is often very hectic and subject to high levels of pressure. Thus, a considerable amount of resilience, stamina and physical, mental and emotional endurance is required of you. Since evenings and weekends are the most busy times for restaurants, you should be prepared to work during late nights and weekends. It is not uncommon for restaurant managers to work for around 50 to 60 hours per week, and you will most likely be the first to arrive and the last to leave everyday.
A restaurant manager’s work hours and job nature are also highly intermittent, as you might have to fill in for an absent employee, no matter what his job designation is, at the last minute. Hence, it is very important that you know all the restaurant’s operations inside out and from top to bottom, as being a restaurant manager does not just mean sitting behind a nice desk and making chitchat with customers. There will be times that you will have to perform all sorts of “dirty work”.
The pressures of making sure everything is in order almost always happen simultaneously with a number of other responsibilities. Whenever there are problems, it will be your duty as restaurant manager to seek a solution with the least possible disruptions to other operations, particularly in the serving of customers. This can be further aggravated by uncooperative and stubborn staff, as well as irate clients. You have to have a lot of patience for this job if you want to pull through sanely and in one piece.
Duties of a Restaurant Manager
A restaurant manager’s daily duties are not to be underestimated. Apart from the usual tasks of selecting what to place on the menu and determining each of their prices, ensuring quality service and proper food preparation and the efficient utilization of supplies, taking responsibility for the rising number of human resource and administrative tasks are also part of the job description.
Typically, the management team is composed of a general manager, one or two assistant managers (depending on the size of the place) and one executive chef, who takes charged of all kitchen operations. Often, in the case of small restaurants, the manager and the executive chef is just one person. In the case of major fast food chains, there are a number of assistant managers to supervise the different shifts.
All of the members of the managerial team should expect to be working from the moment the restaurant opens until it closes at all days of operation. Because a manager is responsible for all, he does not have the liberty to just skip work because he doesn’t feel like going. Restaurant management, though accompanied by considerable perks, is a full service job that requires full time commitment.
Managing the Menu and Supplies
It is a restaurant manager’s job to determine menu items. This is often doen with the help of the executive chef and will be decided on based on the past popularity of certain meals and the likely number of customers who will patronize it. Sometimes, a new dish is introduced in order to accommodate and avoid the wastage of unserved food. How the menu is arranged also depends on what raw ingredients are in season or simply for the sake of variety and novelty.
Managers also review each dish to find out how much it costs to prepare them, taking into consideration certain overhead expenses, to know what price best represents its value. Items on the meu should also be done ahead of time so managers can estimate what supplies are needed and when these should be bought and delivered. Upon delivery, it is the manager’s duty to check the content and evaluate their quality, particularly the meats, fruits, vegetables, fish, baked items and poultry.
Grocery items are not the only supplies that should be monitored. Tableware, linens, cooking supplies, furniture and cleaning materials should also be checked regularly. Waste disposal and pest control should be addressed, as well.
Hiring the Right People
How smoothly a restaurant runs depends a lot on the people who work there. That’s why it is important that managers hire the right people for the job. It is the manager’s responsibility to explain the company’s rules and regulations to all staff members and to provide the training necessary. Employee work schedules are also under his jurisdiction.
Because restaurants at peak hours are considered one of the most stressful working environments in the business world, managers should be able to exercise maximum grace under pressure and handle problems with the least disturbance.
Administrative Duties
While majority of administrative functions are handled by the bookkeeper, managers should also know how there are run, particularly for smaller restaurants where he might have to do the job himself. Issue like work hours and staff wages, tax and licensing paperwork, payroll, supply and equipment purchases and other disbursements fall under this category. Given a highly technological business environment today, managers will also need to learn how to operate computerized point of sale systems to increase productivity and efficiency. POS systems can help minimize the workload by automatically talling sales, supplies and ranking which dishes on the menu are the most popular among clients.
Training to be a Restaurant Manager
Given the multitude of responsibilities managers face each day, it is important that he is well equipped to handle the job. Colleges and universities offer two to four-year programs on restaurant related subjects like food technology, nutrition, food planning and preparation, accounting, even restaurant and hotel management itself.
The demands of the times today do not only call for a vast experience on the business, but also the adequate formal and technical know-how in order to grow safely with the changes and industry advances.
To further bolster you chances of becoming a restaurant manager, you might want to acquire a certification as a Foodservice Management Professional from the Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association. This can be obtained after you’ve successfully completed a series of food service management related courses, passed a written test, and met certain minimum requirements pertaining to performance and experience.

Starting a business takes time. Most small business owners will tell you that they were working on a business plan and all the other important aspects of starting up a new business for a year or two before they finally opened their doors. If you are planning to start your own animal massage practice, it’s important to do all the research necessary before quitting your job and hanging up your sign. Below are a few points to take into consideration.
1. Marketing. How would you market your services? You might want to do a marketing plan, outlining your strategies for the first year. Keep a pad of paper with marketing ideas at hand at all times and write down any new ideas you get. It’s important to constantly market your business, not just in the beginning or when business is slow.
2. Training. Where can you learn animal massage therapy? Remember that even after you have graduated from the massage program you choose, continuing to learn is very important. Take classes in other modalities, or classes that explore traditional massage more in depth or from another angle. You never know what might strike a chord with you.
3. Insurance. What kind of insurance do you need? Liability insurance is a good idea; the International Association of Animal Massage & Bodywork (IAAMB) offers this to their members. If you are planning to set up a massage studio at your house, look into what’s covered by your home insurance. Be careful about this though, I heard of someone who called her insurance company asking what she needed to do when she opened her business, and they immediately canceled her home insurance policy. Something to keep in mind.
4. Legal matters. In addition to deciding what legal form your business should be (sole proprietor, LLC, Inc.), you also need to look into the laws regarding animal massage therapy in your state. They vary quite a bit, and some states only allow massage to be performed under the supervision of a veterinarian. To find out what the deal is in your state, go to AVMA’s website (the American Veterinary Medical Association). Since this is a new field, the laws are expected to change all over the country, so make sure you stay up to date with what’s going on. IAAMB also tracks updates to these laws, listed by state.
Note
In the spring of 2008, The National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage (NBCAAM) was founded to develop a set of core competencies for animal massage and acupressure. This resulted in four national certification exams: Equine Massage, Equine Acupressure, Canine Massage and Canine Acupressure, hosted by Hocking College.
NBCAAM states “The purpose of NBCAAM is to establish and uphold professional standards for animal acupressure and massage practitioners. We have taken important strides toward promoting and increasing the level of professionalism within the animal massage and acupressure disciplines. Taking the examination is entirely voluntary and we are excited to be able to offer this option to people who are serious about enhancing the professional standing of animal massage and acupressure in the United States.”
If this all sounds a bit daunting, keep in mind that every business has to start somewhere, and nobody knows it all right from the start. And if you love animals and want to make a difference in their health and lives, a career in animal massage is a fun and extremely rewarding choice.

If you enjoy helping other people, a career in the medical field might be for you. The field is always in demand of qualified compassionate individuals who are willing to put forth their best efforts to help others. A Nurse Assistant is an entry level position that will allow you the opportunity to help others and gain experience in the medical field.
Since Nurse Assistants are needed throughout the Nation, you will be able to secure employment opportunities most anywhere. Job security is very high in most areas of the medical field. The training programs to earn your certificate all vary depending on state regulations. However, most can be completed in four to six weeks on average. The cost of such programs is very low.
If you need assistance with the cost of the course, many programs offer scholarships or financial aid. In addition, many community agencies such as Human Services will assist you with the cost of completing such a training course. Some employers in the medical field will agree to either pay for your Nurse Assistant training or reimburse you upon successful completion of the program.
Most Nurse Assistant programs start every six to eight weeks. It will depend on the length of the course and the interest in your particular area. This is different than most certificate programs where you have to wait until a full semester ends before you can enroll. Sometimes that can mean a three or four month waiting period.
During your Nurse Assistant training, you will attend a classroom learning environment as well as receive hands on training. The hands on training requires you to complete a certain number of hours, called clinicals, working at a medical facility with actual patients. All of your work will be overseen by trained professionals who with assist you with the proper procedures and medical understanding.
The combination of classroom learning and clinicals will result in you being well prepared to enter the job market as a Nursing Assistant. Often, the medical site that oversees the clinicals will offer employment to those students who are learning well, following procedures for their facility, and who have a positive attitude.
Working as a Nurse Assistant can be very exciting and rewarding for the right person. The work is challenging and you may find yourself over extended at times. Things in a medical setting will change all the time, so the job definitely isn’t predictable. There are so many variables including the patients, then number of patients, other staff, and the medical needs of the patients that you work day with never be predictable.
While being a Nurse Assistant is an entry level position, it is also a very important position. You will be responsible for many daily living tasks for each patient. These tasks include bathing, grooming feeding, and checking their vital signs. You will also be responsible for assisting with medical equipment and moving patients as needed. The exact requirements of the position will vary depending on the facility you work for.
Becoming a Nurse Assistant generally does not take very long. You will continue to learn about your role as a Nurse Assistant once you secure employment. You will be exposed to medical information and procedures by the rest of the staff. This information will be very valuable. Many people choose to use the role of Nursing Assistance as a foundation to continue their education and become a Nurse or to explore other types of employment in the medical field.

Studies on the United States’ restaurant and food services sector have shown that the industry is one of the fastest growing, with the number of food managers touted to rise by around 45,000 annually starting the year 2014.

In fact, data from the National Restaurant Association attest to the fact that plenty of job opportunities are available for people both from within and outside the industry. It is for this reason that more and more people are getting interested and increasing their investment on restaurant and food services training and education.

What the Industry is About

The foodservice and restaurant sector covers areas such as catering, casual family diners, fine dining, chef-owned bistros, resorts and casinos, motels and hotels, cruise ships, fast food chains, theme parks, schools, company cafeterias, hospitals and just about wherever the preparation and selling of foodstuff is present.

To date, there are about twelve million jobs in this sector alone. It is one of the most widespread because food is a basic necessity. That’s why many entrepreneurs say you can never go wrong when you enter the food business. Food services exist in every city, state and country, from the most metropolitan of environments to the most quait and far-flung locations. Due to such, employment opportunities in the restaurant industry is always high.

A career in the restaurant and foodservices industry does not mean simply asking the customer if he wants a side of coleslaw to go with his chicken. It is more than that. You will also have to hone your people skills in order to properly interact with the customer, as well as practice stellar hygiene and good grooming. A restaurant that does not demand so from its employees is no good.

In fact, even without the restaurant owner telling you how to conduct yourself on the job, it is your personal responsibility to make sure that customers all satisfied, happy and very much keen on coming back.

What Sort of Training Do You Need?

Most hole in the wall restaurants start from scratch. That is, without the formal education and training to set up and operate such a business. Some of the older and pioneering institutions began from owners’ very own kitchens, without so much as a bachelor’s degree to their names and, still, their restaurants continue to grow and thrive with the times.

However, the industry is growing at around 12% each year and the demands of the customer are getting more and more cosmopolitan. While zero training can be offset by pure dedication and interest in the restaurant and foodservices business, there also are strong arguments in favor of acquiring the right education and formal training needed for the job.

Education is useful given the changing times. With globalization at an all-time high, it is important for those engaged in the food business to keep themselves up to date and knowledgeable with the latest trends. With travel and communications booming at an alarming rate, the restaurant sector has the responsibility to move with it.

Most restaurants provdie in-house training for their personnel, in order for them to more easily advance to supervisory and managerial positions. Hence, it is not unusual for a former dishwasher or table service crew member to be the boss over a period of time. And though a number of food service staff are promoted to higher posts, the job opportunities for those with formal training, whether via an associate or bachelor’s degree, in institutional food service and restaurant management are greater. It will be easier to climb up the ladder if you combine education with solid on-the-job experience.

Why Formal Education is Important

Employment in the food industry is considered a profession. Before, those who simply had ample interest and experienced-based know-how and resources can enter the business. While this is still true today, most institutions prefer that you have a certificate to back your resume.

Programs related to the restaurant and food services sector include food technology, marketing, customer relations, human resources, finance and business management. Institutional food service facilities also provide courses on nutrition, sanitation, record keeping, understanding of policies and procedures, food preparation, reports preparation, and personnel management.

Such hospitality management programs usually run for two to four years, after which you get a diploma or a certification. The more credentials you have, the more you will be perceived of as a professional who is well-trained, highly skilled and motivated. Achieving these credentials only shows how serious you are at advancing the industry and growing with your chosen career.

Thus, formal training is important because:

1. Having specialized qualifications entails that you’re entering the restaurant and food services industry with more than the basic necessary skills to professionally advance

2. Specialized training shows prospective employers that you are motivated enough and have an ample level of maturity to move around such a high-pressure and fast-paced environment

3. People who graduate from hospitality-related programs and courses have turned out to be the ones who do better in their careers, whether they have actually entered the restaurant industry or not, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Studies

4. Highly-skilled staff and those with formal restaurant training will be in high demand because jobs in full-service restaurants are expected to rise at a huge rate compared to other food services units.

Conducting Yourself on the Job

People working in the food services industry are not robots. Their job is not just to take directions and follow t hem to the letter. They must be able to make decisions themselves and have the initiative to address certain issues. A lot of restaurant operators take note of your personal qualities, for instance, problem-solving skills and attention to detail, before they decide if they want you to be part of their team or not. Grooming is also crucial.

A lot of these qualities you will learn while you’re receiving formal training. While traits like leadership and initiative are ingrained, the right way of handling operations and customers if often not found if you just go it alone and rely on your instincts. Opportunities in the restaurant world will continue to rise as the industry grows in conjunction with the population, leisure times and personal incomes.

Whether you’re eyeing a job at a small restaurant or a fine dining place, the amount of dedication you give out should be the same. It is inevitable that you’ll start at the rank and file level, as you will need the experience to gain solid footing in all possible restaurant duties. Coupled with a degree, it won’t be surprise if you find yourself at one of the top positions in six to twelve months’ time. When this happens, relish the moment. You definitely deserve it.

Corporates struggle, when recruiting middle level professionals (midpros). It is a challenge to match the aspirations of the mid career professionals with what the corporates expect of them. Only a just match leads to satisfaction of both. The midpro is then committed, knowing the relationship is highly productive and this results in the midpro’s longevity in the company.
Here are 4 important things corporates must do in order to find the right mid level professionals:
1) Balance: Capabilities Of The Midpro With The Expectations Of Corporates
When choosing middle level professionals, corporates must try to match the capabilities a midpro possesses, with what it actually requires, to get the job done. A mismatch is troublesome to both parties concerned. It is necessary that the corporates measure the potential of the midpro. For this, it should test the functional expertise of the midpro. Additionally, a measure of the skills and knowledge the midpro possesses, is essential to judging the midpro. Besides the person’s personal and professional aspirations must be understood.
2) Recognize: The Midpro’s Personal Preferences
It is necessary to know the mind of the middle level professional the corporate plans to hire. This will eliminate candidates who are unsure and suffer from low self esteem. Additionally, the midpro should enjoy a comfortable position in health, wealth and in family life. The midpro’s areas of interest should also be ascertained. This is critical as the midpro might be looking for ways to explore his or her interests, while seeking career development. If the midpro appears purpose driven, then he will possess the qualities necessary to succeed.
3) Understand: The Midpro’s Professional Preferences
A midpro, with some years of experience behind him, would naturally aspire for professional recognition. The corporate should gauge how much the midpro expects to achieve, by working with the company. The midpro’s achievements should be appreciated. The corporate should be able to estimate the learning abilities of the midpro. It is also necessary to check if the midpro is willing to adapt to changes. A willingness to learn will improve the efficiency of the midpro. Otherwise, at a later stage, the corporate would have difficulty in accommodating the midpro at higher efficiency levels. There is a chance that the midpro might also be looking for meaningful opportunities.
4) Gauge: The Midpro’s Career Aspirations
The corporates can also check if the midpro has explored the depths of his or her profession. The corporate should be able to provide the midpro with opportunities to apply the skills learnt over the years, to other areas of the industry. It should also provide interesting challenges to the midpro to expand the scope of his abilities. Besides this, the midpro should be given opportunities to acquire newer capabilities. This is important to maintain excitement in the job.
It is difficult to achieve the right match between what the corporates expect, with what a midpro desires. But this task can be made simpler by applying the above recommendations, meticulously. Such a match will result in a longer and more fruitful relationship between the corpoarte and the midpro.

Obstacles or limitations are those things that you have dealt with or are dealing with in your life, or they may suddenly come upon you as if by accident or because of a change in circumstances.
But you don’t have to be a prisoner to these limitations, and they don’t mean the end of the world. For instance in the world of art, although absolute freedom can be an expansive and glorious thing, sometimes even the most original and creative of ideas arise from solving a certain problem. Facing challenges and limitations will force you to use every resource in the most imaginative way. If viewed in a healthy way, limitations can inspire you to come up with a masterpiece, a creation so remarkable that it will leave your audience speechless.
Limitations come in many shapes and sizes. Apart from the more obvious health problems and financial problems, other limitations are limited to energy or time, credentials or knowledge and even reduced opportunities in a career path because of factors like age, economic background or even gender bias. These are some of the most common limitations you will have to face in any field.
Other job limitations take the form of “perceived limitations”. Feelings like self-doubt, fear, inadequacy, and nervousness can creep up on the best of us, making you feel that you aren’t as good as you really are. These feelings act as limitations and can hinder our progress just as surely as a physical limitation can. Each and every one – whether good or bad – since our childhoods. There will be times when someone or other will tell you that you are a quitter or a loser, which in turn will firmly imprint itself on your psyche and keep you from achieving your goals.
But limitations, even job limitations, can be overcome, and you will be able to find various examples of people who have managed to do so. Someone once said that
“even when we are limited, we still have the capacity to push back the boundaries of our limitations”.
How to Overcome Job Limitations
To what extent are you willing to go to in order to push back those limitations? Here are ways to overcome job limitations to experience success and progress in your career:
-Always be realistic about your aims and abilities. Accept those limitations and get started from there, instead of moping in a corner. Self-pity and defeat are two of the biggest limitations you will face in your job.
-If you are feeling limited by the circumstances surrounding you, then come up with alternative options to overcome them. In this process, you will open up new opportunities for yourself.
-Challenge your limitations. Play it like you would play any game and don’t use it as an excuse to diminish yourself.
-Value your inner talents and abilities and use them to the fullest. Create your own principles and values instead of striving to someone else’s expectations.
-If your limitation come upon you unexpectedly, make sure you deal with the setback first and then move on.
Challenging situations in a workplace can be nerve wracking and intimidating, and at times you’ll feel extremely discouraged. But if in spite of feeling discouraged you continue to move forward, your successes will far outnumber your setbacks and when looking back on how you dealt with them, you will feel exhilarated.
We always have a set of choices laid out before us. We can either allow our limitations to hinder us, or we can allow them to inspire us to achieve great things in life. So, what is your choice?

We all face a lot of difficulties in our lives because life is about facing all the challenges. The ups and downs in our lives are enduring as well as relevant. Many times we have to face a series of traumatic situations that leave us with a negative feeling. We feel extremely depressed and sad. We even have to face problems while sleeping and unwanted anxiety. Therefore, the need for an adult consultant arises. The adult consultant can also help you to make a successful career. If you speak with an adult consultant, he/ she will definitely understand all your issues and will try and assist you in order to resolve them. With the support of the adult consultant you can learn various skills. Consultants give a new direction to your life. You are bestowed with the ability of looking at various situations with a diverse perspective with the assistance of a good adult consultancy. Adult consultants make various changes in your life due to which you have a better living quality than before. Many people that suffer from the problem of ADHD require an adult consultant to face their challenges. The adult consultants not only understand their issues bur they also give a direction to their life. The patients bearing up with the ADD needs support and treatment of the adult consultants in order to lead their life like other normal human beings. If you do not have a goal in your life and you do not have a good idea about which to be followed then you can avail aid from the adult consultant services. You can also approach a family consultant, but an adult consultant would be much helpful. You can avail all the information about which paths to follow in order to reach a particular goal. The adult consultants would have a conversation with you and ask all your grievances. They will then scrutinize your issues and suggest you various alternates to solve your problems. If you need any guidance related to your career, you can approach an adult consult. The adult consultant will examine your skills and then inform you about your potential skill, with which you were unaware. They can give you several recommendations with the help of which, you can escalate your own performance and also make a successful career. Nowadays, with the advancement in technology and internet, you can avail the adult consultancy services online also. There are several online adult consultants that offer you free tips on making a successful career. You can also take help of a search engine to find our more and more online consultancy services and accumulate the guidance availed from all of them with the aim of benefitting yourself.

Nurses provide care and comfort to everyone from infants to the elderly, from basic tasks like changing bed sheets and helping individuals dress themselves to treating patients, analyzing health information, operating medical machines, and providing public education about health care topics.Nursing RolesMultiple levels of nursing give you ample options to develop a nursing career. Nursing aides and assistants do the most basic kinds of work. Licensed practitioner nurses (LPNs) have greater responsibilities such as monitoring medical equipment, supervising aides, and taking samples for analysis. Registered nurses (RNs) are the largest group of health care individuals with more than 2.5 million RNs in the U.S. according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). RNs can create health plans for patients as well as contribute to the current plans. They consult with doctors and other clinicians as well as direct LPNs and nursing attendants. RNs can specialize in a variety of areas such as working with specific population segments or specific diseases and ailments.

The Big Health BoomOne of the main benefits of being a nurse is simply being able to help people heal and overcome disease or discomfort. According to projections by the BLS, over a half of a million new RN jobs will be created between 2006 and 2016. This growth suggests that nurses should enjoy job stability as well as find a range of career options. Because of the recent nursing faculty shortage, there are opportunities for nurses to become teachers. Some hospitals and other organizations offer subsidies for education and signing bonuses to attract nurses.

Prepping for a Nursing CareerHome health aides and nursing aides often only need on-the-job training, but most other nursing careers require a higher level of education as well as certification. RN to BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree programs can help individuals get the education they need, and RN to MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) degree programs are also available. Individuals can also continue their education to earn doctorates in nursing (DNP=Doctor of Nursing Practice). Terminal nursing degrees are generally practice-focused or research-focused. The doctorate degree prepares an individual to join nursing faculty ranks or work on health care policy issues in larger organizations.

If helping people heal is important to you, a career in nursing can be a great long-term move to bring you financial stability and personal rewards.

Networking for your job advancement in your career development path offers big benefits and outstanding career employment advancement opportunities that in most cases would never come your way otherwise.
Why network? Networking in the employment and career field offers the number one source of finding employment and job advancement. It is often stated that the vast majority – estimated as high as 80 – 90 % of jobs are filled inside organizations rather than outside. Generally in life people do not like risk and change. Better to deal with someone you know, can judge and trust. As well someone who recommends a future employee to an organization should have a vested interest in recommending a person who will be of good benefit to that organization. As well it should be noted that the person who does the recommendation has their own self interest to consider in case things do not work out well with the prospective hire.
In fact many employers will pay an employee who recommends a future hire a “finder’s fee” or other reward. Better to reward someone in your organization for growth than to reward an outsider such as a commercial “head hunter”.
It may be said that sometimes a firm will look outside of the norm to hire someone – especially management to shake the organization to be a “whipping boy”. This does occur. However these are not situations where you would place yourself for serious career advancement.
Networking is in actuality the process of developing relationships with people who can assist you with job search strategies and in finding strong job leads. Often people you seriously network with (including those you ask as valued references on your job resumes or applications) will become your best proponents. It should be noted that networking should be distinguished from simple hobnobbing and name dropping.
Networking in its true sense is a sincere, two ways relationship not a shallow one way activity. The distinction can not be stressed enough. If you are unable to comprehend the difference between the two – then this activity of career networking is not currently the right path for you.
The benefits of networking are great. Networking will focus your job choice and career direction. You will be tapping into jobs that you would most likely not have access to otherwise. You should be in a position to gain information and perspective about your chosen industry and firms or organizations that you would not be privy to or be able to comprehend or appreciate the significance otherwise. Specialized information such as industry and geographical trends, job search structure and protocols and hiring processes in your chosen fields will avail itself to you in your employment search.
It is a wonderful trait in interviews to be confident with industry perspectives as well as privileged information about the going ons of firms that you are making job applications for. The biggest percentage of most job interviews is based on preparation before the interview, not during it. Networking will be your best tool for successful pre interview preparation and planning.
As well networking affords self promotion in a socially acceptable manner without bragging rights to those people in the hiring stream who ultimately matter the most to you in your employment search. In effect you are practicing your communication and interviewing skills as you successfully navigate the network streams.
Remember that for all the serious work you do in your job search in the end you never know who can be of the most help to you. Be sincere and appreciative in all that you do.