New year, new goals: 8 steps to make your nursing dreams a reality

When you have a big goal—whether that’s getting into your first-choice nursing program or landing your ideal job after graduation—it can feel nearly impossible to get from where you are now to that outcome. “My biggest piece of advice is reverse-engineering a track to get you to your big, audacious goal,” Peterson says. “Work backwards by setting small, action-based goals.”

So if you want to get into nursing school this year, write down a list (or use a digital tool such as Asana or the Todoist app) of all your smaller steps. Then break those down further—no step is too small! So instead of writing down take prerequisite courses, slice your to-dos even smaller.

For example:
• Research prereqs for your desired schools
• Sign up for one course
• Make a study plan

It’s easy to be so focused on your goal that you put blinders on,” Peterson says. In reality, though, there are many ways to get to your dream destination.

For example, you might not get into a nursing program right away. “Getting into nursing school is challenging,” explains Kathryn Dailey-Deaton, RN, a perinatal nurse in Portland, Oregon. “It’s OK to be on a waitlist or apply multiple years in a row. Just stay open to what’s possible and know there are many ways to get into nursing.”

You might start by volunteering at a local health clinic or applying for a job in an allied health field such as a phlebotomy. The important thing is to not get so set on one path that you become paralyzed at the first roadblock.

If you have an idea of the kind of nursing position you want, work on gaining the skills that “future you” will need. It’s never too early to start.

Dailey-Deaton knew she wanted to work in reproductive health from day one. So she set about gaining the experience and skills that would help get her into nursing school and, later, on the labor and delivery floor. She volunteered at Planned Parenthood, joined the Nursing Mothers Council, became a doula, and volunteered as a doula in a local hospital.

If you’re not sure what you need to do, “look at your dream job title on job boards and break apart the career path to get there,” Peterson suggests. Pay close attention to the qualifications and education sections of job postings.

What can you do now to ensure you can fulfill each of those must-haves in the future? If you’re in nursing school now, make sure your class schedule, practicum placement, or extracurriculars align with those qualifications.

You will inevitably face setbacks as you work toward your nursing goals. Make sure you have the support you need to bounce back.

“Having a group around you that supports you and lifts you up is one of the best strategies to get through tough times,” Peterson says. It’s especially important to find a crew going through what you’re going through. They’ll truly understand and be able to empathize. Then they’ll cheer you on as you try again.

One huge takeaway: You don’t have to do this on your own. If you feel overwhelmed by everything you need to do, make an appointment with an academic advisor or career services expert at your community college, university, or nursing program.

“They’re experts and can help you prioritize and make a game plan,” Dailey-Deaton says. “They know how to get each piece done and when you need to start to be ready for the next steps toward your goal.”

Make a point of joining organizations, clubs, and other groups related to your nursing goals. The collective energy of everyone focusing on the same thing—whether that’s community health or equity in healthcare—supercharges your motivation.

Membership will also open up opportunities. For example, Dailey-Deaton joined the nursing student union at her school. “I went to conferences and networked on a statewide and nationwide level,” she said.

Bonus: Membership in relevant organizations looks great on your resume. Some examples include:

• American Nurses Association (ANA)
• National League for Nursing (NLN)
• American Academy of Nursing
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma)
• National Student Nurse Association

Networking is an important aspect of achieving your goals in any profession—you’ve likely heard about the importance of this several times by now. But chances are you might not have heard how-tos specific to nursing.

First of all, you will want to connect with people who are a little further along the path to a goal you both share. If you want to get into nursing school, reach out to someone in their first year at the school you’re aiming for. If you’re already in a nursing program, connect with recent graduates.

“Someone a little bit ahead of you has already blazed the trail,” Peterson said. “Ask them for advice, especially what they’d have done differently.” That one question can reveal a gold mine of tips that can help you reach your nursing goals.

Secondly, it’s important to expand your professional network. Find people working in the position of your dream job.

“Generally, even people you don’t know in person are willing to help others in the healthcare field because we’re all in this together,” Peterson said.

She recommends a specific tactic to connecting with people you don’t know—cold emailing, in other words. After introducing yourself briefly, “find and mention three levels of similarities,” Peterson said. Note how they went to the same nursing program you’re attending, that they work in the field you’re most interested in, and any contacts you have in common. You can even find out more personal details by looking at their LinkedIn or other social media profiles. (“I saw you own a rescue dog—I adopted my chihuahua from the animal shelter last year!”)

Avoid the temptation to go straight into “how can you help me mode.” Start by asking them to tell their story, like how they got into nursing.

“The best tool you have is active listening,” Peterson said. Look for ways you can apply their experience to your path. As your relationship develops, it may become possible to shadow them in their job or even ask for a LinkedIn recommendation.

Finding relevant content on social media apps like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok can inspire your nursing goals and will help you engage in nursing culture.

There are several influencers on social media platforms that post relevant nursing topics. Some examples include accounts like Kelsey Rowell and Nurse Tori (Tori Meskin) who both post content explaining and demonstrating their nurse experience.