Taking that next step

Every journey begins with one step....and then another....and another....

We cannot simply leap to our destination instantly- although I would find that helpful at times. Instead we have to take that initiative to begin the journey that will take us toward our destination. Now think about that: toward our destination. Notice I did not say to our goal. I believe there is a significant difference between these two statements.

First, toward, indicates "moving in a general direction which results in closer proximity to something", in my own words. I think we are always moving toward something, sometimes we know, and most of the time we do not. It is that unknown that often surprises us...or frightens us. Yet, there we are, every day, progressing toward something. What "thing"? Well, that depends greatly on the individual, and the situation, for that matter. Sometimes simply moving toward the end of a shift is all we want! However, I think you all know that I am referring to something much broader than that. I think that we are all moving toward becoming better nurses. I think we are moving toward more education, training, and career options. Sometimes we know we are on this journey, and sometimes we may not. We all have something to learn from one another, no matter where you are in your career. Some have great time management abilities, some great interpersonal communication skills, while others are very gifted with complex procedures. I think we all have something to learn. Each time we learn something new, or take a step toward improving our nursing practice, we are moving toward our destination. So what is our destination?

To me, a destination is waypoint along a continuous journey. A destination is not necessarily a "final" location, but merely a point at which we must reassess our bearings, reevaluate our options, do a bit of retrospective analysis of our path thus far....and then plot a course toward a new destination. So, where is this destination? Well, again, that depends on the individual. Some may choose career destinations, such as leadership positions within a company. Others may choose educational destinations, such as earning undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate degrees. I think that as long as you are moving toward your destination you are where you should be. But the problem with all of this is that we cannot simply think of our journeys in preconceived, somewhat forced "linear" terms. We cannot always put our plan into a nice box and tie it up with a bow. There are far too many variables in life that can forever alter a journey in ways we cannot predict. For that reason, we must accept that we are not always in control (or in conscious awareness) of our destination, although we may be moving toward it.

For instance, I knew that I wanted to go back to school to get an advanced nursing degree. I have known this for quite some time. The only problem was, I had no idea which program I wanted. Do I want to be an advanced practice nurse??? Do I want to be in charge of something??? So I want to teach something??? Where do I apply??? Should I choose online or classroom format??? So I researched for a long time, "knowing" what I wanted to do was teach nursing students someday. I figured out I had no real desire to be an advanced practice nurse, so I eliminated that option. Then, after much agony, I had a moment of "clarity"...or what I might call, "intuition". I discovered a new nursing role called the Clinical Nurse Leader. This was to be an "advanced generalist" role, with advanced patho, pharm, and assessment....but with added courses in finance, leadership, and CNL role development. I thought "that's it!!" So I began my graduate education in a CNL program. Destination reached.

Then, during the course of the program, I was introduced to "complexity science" and "complex adaptive systems" in a leadership course. Learning about complexity science seemed to validate, somehow, my inner thoughts and feelings about how I perceived the world. And to know it had a name...and a whole field was dedicated to it! I became immediately interested in learning more. After the course was completed, I continued my research into the field, pulling as much information as I could from a variety of sources. The thought of healthcare (and healthcare organizations) being "complex adaptive systems" seemed to be a perfect fit for my thinking process. This proved to be a "turning point" in my career...and thus I was moving toward a destination. I began to get that "intuitive" feeling again, and have decided to change direction from the clinical aspect of nursing (the CNL role) and move to the "non-clinical" aspect of nursing informatics. I have therefore begun plotting a course from this destination (or waypoint) toward obtaining my graduate nursing degree in nursing informatics. I will start this Fall.

This is but one example...there are countless others. I "knew" what I wanted...but I am not where I thought I would be. I am more excited about nursing and my career now, than I was when I "knew" what I wanted. The point is, we can't "know" anything about the future. We can aspire, dream, "plan", and move toward it...but we can't "know" it or "predict" it. That is why linear thinking methodologies cannot apply to our future as nurses...or our future in healthcare. Healthcare is far too complex and interdependent on infinite variables to ever be reduced to linear terms. So, you see, we can only move toward a destination because there is never a straight line between points A and B...more like a general path, consisting of a variety of points and directional paths leading from these points. We always have a choice...but sometimes we need to think with our whole body...not just one side of our brain.

So keep moving...or get moving...and you will reach the next destination in your career's long journey. Maybe it's just getting through the next shift...maybe it's getting though a class or two...perhaps it's obtaining certification...it doesn't matter. Keep moving, keep learning, keep growing, and most importantly of all...KEEP HAVING FUN!!! We are all in this together, and we need to do a better job of supporting one another, instead of looking for ways to tear each other down.

Accept the present for what it is...learn from the past for what it was (and what it could have been)...and embrace the future for what it CAN BE (and SHOULD BE)! If we knew the end to every story, what fun would that be!?! Enjoy the mystery!

Thank you.

Steve