PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENT (PART 2)
Positive Image of a Professional Nurse
R&R of a Beginning Nurse Practitioner
Career Planning
POSITIVE IMAGE OF A
PROFESSIONAL NURSE
1. Self Assessment/ Self Evaluation
Is a process of looking at oneself in order
to assess aspects that are important to
ones identity.
Is a way process in which you learn more
about yourself.
Is a way in which self esteem/confidence
can be enhanced.
First part of career management process
2. Self Awareness
is having a clear perception of your
personality, including strengths, weaknesses,
thoughts, beliefs, motivation, and emotions.
Being self aware is knowing:
What you want in your life
Your strengths and weaknesses
What motivates you and makes you happy
What you want to change about yourself orabout
your life
Your philosophy in life
Your achievements so far
How you relate to others
You need to improve as a person
Your most important beliefs and values
How you see yourself as a person
How to develop Self Awareness?
Adhering to good values
Using self-help books
Having a life coach

*Johari Window
a simple and useful tool for illustrating and improving self awareness,
and mutual understanding between individuals within a group.
Named after the first names of its inventors Joseph Luft and Harry
Ingham
1. Open area
known by the person ('the self')and known by the group ('others').
2. Blind area
known about a person by others in the group, but is unknown by the person
him/herself.
3. Hidden area
known to ourselves but kept hidden from, and therefore unknown, to others.
4. Unknown area
unknown to the person him/herself and unknown to others in the group.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF
BEGINNING NURSE PRACTITIONER




Dr. Patricia
Benner introduced the
concept that expert
nurses develop skills
and understanding of
patient care over time
through a sound
educational base as well
as a multitude of
experiences.

.Beginner with no
experience.
Taught general rules to help
perform tasks.
Recognized as being task-
oriented and focused.
Rules are: context-free,
independent of specific
cases, and applied
universally.
Rule-governed behavior is
limited and inflexible.

Advanced Beginner

Demonstrates
acceptable independent
performance.
Has gained prior
experience in actual
situations to recognize
recurring meaningful
components.
Principles, based on
experiences, begin to
be formulated to guide
actions.

Competent
Typically a nurse with 2-3 years
experience on the job in the
same area or in similar day-to-
day situations.
More aware of long-term goals.
Gains perspective from
planning own actions based on
conscious, abstract, and
analytical thinking and helps to
achieve greater efficiency and
organization.
Perceives and understands
situations as a whole
rather than as series of
tasks.
More holistic
understanding improves
decision-making.
Learns from experiences
what to expect in certain
situations and how to
modify plans.
No longer relies on
principles, rules, or
guidelines to connect
situations and determine
actions.
Much more background of
experience;
Has intuitive grasp of clinical
situations;
Performance is now fluid,
flexible, and highly-
proficient.


are advanced practice
registered nurses who
have received special
courses and training.
She is skilled at making
nursing assessments,
performing P. E.,
counseling, teaching
and treating minor and
self- limiting illness.

Taking detailed medical histories and
performing complete physical exams.
Providing diagnoses and recommending
treatment plans.
Treating common medical conditions,
illnesses, and injuries.
Prescribing limited medications.
Counseling patients and families.

CAREER
PLANNING

The career planning and development process
provides a guide to help you to achieve your
dreams and to create new possibilities as you
build your nursing career.

Career is what we choose as our profession,
our path, or our lifes work. You chose your
path when you accepted admission into your
nursing program, and your nursing career
began the day you attended your school of
nursing orientation.


BEGINNING A JOB SEARCH

1
st
Step: Scanning your Environment
2
nd
Step: Your Self-assessment and Reality
Check
3
rd
Step: Creating your Career Vision
4
th
Step: Creating your Strategic Career Plan
5
th
Step: Marketing Yourself


Employment Development
Department

Civil Service Announcement

Trade Associations & Trade
Publications


Newspaper Ads
Local Newspaper
Friends
Canvassing
School Placement
Services

UnionFriends, Relatives
& Neighbors
Teachers, Religious Adviso
rs, Insurance Agents, Cred
itors, Bankers
Radio, T.V., Newspapers &
Magazine Stories of New
or Expanding Companies
Communications Media
job Bulletin Board


DEVELOPING RESUM
ELEMENTS
Top portion of resume (first third to
half)
If your resume is worth reading further.
Header (name and contact information) Your preferred name and how to
contact you.
Headline and Summary What youre looking for and why youre
qualified.
Skills Whether you have the required skills.
Work/Professional
Experience/Employment History
What youve accomplished thats
relevant.
Education Whether you meet the education
requirements.
Continuing Ed/Professional
Devt/Additional Training
What further training youve pursued.
Other Information What other assets you offer.
TYPES
Chronological Resume:
A chronological resume starts by listing your work
history, with the most recent position listed first. Your
jobs are listed in reverse chronological order with your
current, or most recent job, first.

Functional Resume:
A functional resume focuses on your skills and
experience, rather than on your chronological work
history. It is used most often by people who are
changing careers or who have gaps in their employment
history.

Combination Resume:
A combination resume lists your skills and experience
first. Your employment history is listed next.


Resume With Profile:
A resume with a profile section includes a summary of
an applicants skills, experiences and goals as they
relate to a specific job.

Targeted Resume:
A targeted resume is a resume that is customized so
that it specifically highlights the experience and skills
you have that are relevant to the job you are applying
for.
Mini Resume:
A mini resume contains a brief summary of your
career highlights qualifications.

Nontraditional Resume:
A nontraditional resume is a web-based version of
your resume that may include photos, graphics,
images, graphs and other visuals.
Writing an Effective Resume
Writing Consultant Presentation
EG 1003: Intro to Engineering and Design
Polytechnic Institute of NYU










Writing an Effective Resume
Why you are writing
Organization
Presentation
A resume gets you an interview
Find out which applicants are suitable
Choose a small number of
candidates to interview
Same issue for proposals
and grant applications

Include interesting and
unique information
Attempt best effort to make
a first impression
No chance to explain if you
do not get an interview

Stand out from the crowd









Writing an Effective Resume
Why you are writing
Organization
Presentation
Summary of sections
Name
Address, telephone number, e-mail address
Objective
Education
Experience
Achievements and awards
Skills
Professional affiliations
Publications or projects
Optional
Name (bold, not underlined)

Address

Telephone number

Email address
Start with contact information
Objective
One or two sentences
Type of position (part time, full time, summer
internship)
What position would you like to find?
Emphasize how you will use your skills, not what you
want to gain
Use the objective to stand out
Do not be needy:
Objective: To obtain a position that will allow me to
advance my potential while seeking new challenges.

Show what you will contribute:
Objective: An entry-level position in mechanical
engineering where strong leadership ability and good
communication skills are needed.
Objective: Vice-president of aerospace engineering in an
agency where extensive knowledge of thermodynamics
and heat transfer are needed.
Education in reverse chronological order
Include schools attended beyond high school
List major and minor(s), supply interesting details
For Poly, put the expected date in parentheses:
Polytechnic Institute of NYU
B.S. Electrical Engineering
(Anticipated graduation: June 2011)

Include special or interesting aspects of your program

Experience also in reverse order
Dates of employment (2003present)
Name and location of the company (Con Edison, Brooklyn)
Add specific detail that shows your organization,
cooperation, responsibility with action
Calling this section Experience allows you to include jobs for
which you were not paid. Include:
military service
internships
volunteer positions
Achievements and awards
Deans list
Scholarships
Grants
Prizes
Nominations
Professional societies
Significant accomplishments
Committees and leadership roles
Use the skills section
Software programs and proficiency (Word,
PowerPoint, Excel, FrontPage, AutoCad )
Programming languages (include Visual Basic,
HTML, PHP, )
Abilities (based on experience)
Languages and language ability









Writing an Effective Resume
Why you are writing
Organization
Presentation
Create an effective layout
Try to interest your reader visually

A clean, professional format with a little style

Extra white space makes it easy to read set margins
Limit font to two choices
For text: a serif font like Times
For headings: Arial or Helvetica are good choices to add
visual interest

Dont choose non-standard fonts like
or

Font size should be 11 or 12 point
Write concisely and vigorously
A focused, targeted resume is best:
Avoid the temptation to go more than one page
Delete obvious information in order to highlight your
unique qualities
Find specific, dynamic verbs:
Use present (or past) imperatives
Include each verb only once
Consult online lists of resume action words
Make lists parallel
Was responsible for staff of ten
Present reports to consultants
New reporting system was developed
Leader of monthly staff meeting
Coordinate monthly review
Make lists parallel
Managed staff of ten
Presented reports to consultants
Developed new reporting system
Led monthly staff meeting
Coordinated monthly review
Use brief style like presentations
Omit articles (a/an, the)
Use more lists than sentences
Arrange information in columns
Final thoughts
Choose the correct tense and use it consistently

Do not ask for a particular salary

Be accurate and honest

Print it out! Do not attempt to proofread on screen

Writing the Perfect
Cover Letter
What is a Cover Letter?
A supplement to the resume that includes more
detailed information about yourself
It highlights key points in your resume
Expresses your interest in a position
Shows off your qualifications to a prospective
employer
Pre-Cover Letter Business
If you have a company or employer in mind,
do some research regarding their policies and
principles
Review websites, brochures, pamphlets and any
other pertinent materials you can find about the
company
If you can, try to speak with current employees; this
will provide you with a unique inside perspective
Once youve done your research and you have a
good idea of what qualifications the company is
looking for, its time to separate yourself from the rest
of the pack
Before you begin writing your letter, take some time
to brainstorm. Make a list of reasons why youre the
ideal candidate
Continued
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Do not over use I
Instead, place the focus on the employer and use the
word you
Avoid writing more than one page; since you are
probably competing with other applicants, employers
just dont have the time to read two pages
The point of the cover letter is to flesh out your
resumes selling points not to repeat the same
things that appear in your resume
Beginning The Letter
You should address the letter to a specific person at
the company youre applying to. You can usually
find a name in the companys publications or you can
inquire by telephone
Example of Header:

James L. Pierce
President
Octiv Tech
750 P Street
Sacramento, CA 95826
Salutation
If you are addressing the letter to a specific person,
start out with the formal salutation: Dear Mr. Pierce.
If you dont know the name use: Dear Hiring Manager
Refrain from using the old standbys: To whom it
may concern or Dear Sir or Madam
Opening Paragraph
The opening paragraph should accomplish a couple
of goals:
1. It should grab the readers attention
2. Discuss the position you are applying for
3. List your references or how you heard about the job
4. Highlight the main points you will focus on in the
letter

Opening Paragraph Example
Dear Mr. Pierce:

As the enclosed resume attests, the customer support position
advertised in the Sacramento Bee is a perfect fit with my
qualifications. My experience working as a Help Desk Student Assistant
in the Division of Information Technology at San Francisco State
University and my vast experience in the audio field has prepared me
for the technological and user support this job requires, making me an
ideal candidate for this position.
Body Paragraph(s)
The body paragraph should accomplish a couple of
goals:
1. Refer employees to certain points in your resume
2. Emphasize your strongest qualifications or top
selling points
3. Show how these qualifications will benefit the
company youre applying for
4. You may provide examples of your achievements
that have benefited previous companies
5. Be specific in your descriptions
Body Paragraph Example
As my resume highlights, I have offered
high-responsibility computer and software support for
faculty, staff and students. This experience, along with
constant home use of computers, has given me a
thorough background of many different forms of
software and operating systems including the Windows
and Apple families, Microsoft Office, and Dreamweaver. I
have also become very comfortable
Performing hardware and software upgrades on
Windows and Mac machines and working with various
types of networks including wireless and LAN. In
addition, I master new skills quickly and complete tasks
efficiently.


Closing Paragraph
Your closing paragraph should accomplish a couple
of goals
1. Ask for an interview
2. Set up a possible time and date
3. Try using an active ending; in other words, rather
than asking them to contact you, tell them you will
contact them in a few days
4. Be genuine and thank them for their time



Closing Paragraph Example
Please take the time to look over my resume, and
feel free to contact my references. I would love to
further discuss this position in person. I will follow up
with you in a few days to answer any preliminary
questions you might have. In the meantime, please
do not hesitate to contact me at 916-424-4444.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Dont forget to sign your letter
Double and Triple Check Before Sending
Check for spelling errors and typos--professionalism
is a must

Dont go over a page
Always customize your cover letter. Dont forget
to change your contact information
Maintain a friendly and professional tone
throughout the letter
How to Dress

63
HOW TO WOW THEM IN
AN INTERVIEW
Be The Star In Every Interview!
Effective Interviewing Strategies
64
The Interview
They are looking to see if your technical skills
match the job requirements
They ask specific questions to see if you will be
a good match for a particular team
They look for specific qualities or behaviors to
ensure that you will be successful on the job
What does the Interviewer look for?
65
Sample Interview Questions
What can you tell me about yourself?
Why are you interested in this job?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
What skills do you bring to the job and to this
company?
66
What is STAR?
Situation
Task
Action
Result
It is a way to answer behavioral questions that
allows for the best response, while proving that the
experience is true.
67
Sample Behavioral Interview Questions
Can you give me an example of a time you
worked on a team to finish a project? What
was your contribution?
Describe one of the most demanding
assignments youve had. What problems did
you encounter and how did you solve them?
Tell me about a presentation you had to give or
a project you had to do. How did you prepare
for it?
Dont forget STAR!
68
Answering Behavioral Interview
Questions
How do I answer using STAR?

Situation - briefly describe where you were working
Task - the job you were assigned
Action - discuss in detail the actions you took
Result - the result of those actions

You will be able to provide the interviewer with proven
examples of your accomplishments and be the star
interviewee
69
SITUATION
Describe the employer, location, or area where
you were working to give the interviewer the
big picture. You dont need to be too
detailed.

I worked at ABC Company as a Supervisor in the
Shipping and Receiving Department.
70
TASK
Describe the job or task you were
assigned.

Part of my job was to train newly hired
employees in using our highly technical
equipment as well as in company policies
and procedures.
71
ACTION
Describe the action you took. (Use I)

I showed Fred, our new employee, how to
safely set-up and operate the
computerized weighing equipment. I also
taught Fred how to inspect the packages
to ensure the weight and labels matched.
I continued to ask him questions to make
sure that he understood all the
instructions I had given him.
72
Tell the results of the action you took, be sure to
use numbers where applicable.

RESULT
I checked in with Fred on a regular basis
during his initial training and as a result
he became a well trained team member,
not only in the equipment he was to use,
but also in understanding how the
procedures we used affected our
department and the company.
73
PRACTICING
QUESTIONS
74
What kind of people bug you?
Do not name anyone! Talk about a specific
personality and what you do to assist your team
member to be successful.

On a team, I find it hard to work with people who dont seem
to care and avoid the hard tasks. What I have found, is that
many times they arent aware of the teams expectations or
how to accomplish specific tasks. I take the time to check in
with team members and have offered my assistance with
their tasks. This results in the whole team reaching the
desired goal.
75

Tell Me About a Problem You Solved?

When I was at DDS Company we purchased a
telephone system for our office. It was computer-
ized. My co-worker was assigned as the
administrator. She had a car accident and was
going to be gone from work for several weeks.
My supervisor asked me to take over some of her
duties. I was not trained on the telephone system,
but found a video teaching tape and her book in a
file cabinet.
As it turned out, I needed to make some
administrative changes to the system.
76

Tell Me About a Problem You Solved?

I watched the video and read the book. I followed
the instructions and was able to make most of the
changes. There was a specific function I could not
program so I contacted the company who sold us
the system. Through their help line, I was able to
complete the changes.
I learned to set up mail boxes, groups, change and
forward messages, and set up a time manager.
These new skills made me a more valuable
employee.

77
Problem Solving Model

Define the problem
Set goal - decide on the desired outcome
Brainstorm - List alternatives
Consider the consequences.. risk vs.. alternatives
Decide and act
Re-evaluate - did it work and what did I learn?
78
PREPARING TO
INTERVIEW
79
Make A Good Impression
Speak up, dont be afraid to talk about yourself!

Listen closely to the interviewer. Show a real
interest in the company and the job.
Sell yourself! Tell the employer about your
abilities and good qualities. Know what value you
bring to the company. Answer all questions
carefully and honestly.
Be as positive as you can.

80
Make A Good Impression
Be Professional

Greet your interviewer with eye contact and a
SMILE
Shake hands firmly
Sit up straight, look attentive, do not cross your
arms (crossing your arms tells the employer
youre not interested)



81
Make A Good Impression

Before the interview, take a few deep breaths,
inhale through your nose and blow out through
your mouth. This will help you relax your
muscles and help you relax mentally too.

Do some self-talk about how you are the perfect
match for the job!

82
Why Ask Questions?
The questions the interviewer asks helps
them decide if you are the right person for
the job.
The questions you ask the interviewer
helps you decide if this is the right place
for you to be.
83
Ask The Interviewer
Write down at least three questions that you feel
are important to you and take these to the
interview.
Dont ask questions that say Whats in it for me?
Such as; when is my first day off?.
Ask questions such as:
Why did you choose to work for this company?
How will my performance be evaluated?
What is the most difficult task I will be doing?
What is the process you use when training for
this position?

84
Make A Good Impression
Interview Donts
Dont
Take a friend or a relative with you (unless
you need an interpreter )
Act either too shy or too aggressive (balance)
Say anything negative about other people
Be late. Call the employer as soon as possible
and explain why. Ask if you can arrange a
new interview time.
85
Closing the Interview
Thank the interviewer for
their time.
Ask what the next steps will
be (such as a second
interview)
Ask when they plan to make
a decision
Tell them you are interested
in the job (only if you are!)
Ask for a business card(s) of
the interviewer(s)
Send a thank you note
Designed and Developed by SE Works 2003
RESIGNATION
LETTERS

Job Resignation Dos and
Donts
Do know how to resign from your job gracefully and
professionally.
Dont get caught off-guard, so do prepare to resign by removing
all personal items and files from your office and computer.
Do make the transition as easy and as smooth as possible. And
do offer to help find and/or train your replacement. But dont
make promises you cant -- or won't -- keep.
Dont make any statements or express any opinions that you
may later regret. Remember that old adage: if you have nothing
good to say, say nothing at all.
Do be sure and give proper notice to your current employer.
Dont burn any bridges. Do leave on good terms with your co-
workers and supervisors.


Job Resignation Dos and
Donts
Do the exit interview with your current employer, if required. But
dont say anything negative about your supervisor or co-workers
during the interviewer -- no matter how tempted you are.
Dont disappear during your last weeks on the job. Do stay a
productive member of the team.
Do make sure you receive all your stored up compensation and
benefits, including bonus checks and unused vacation time,
personal days, etc.
Dont consider a counteroffer unless you are sure its a better
deal for you; studies show a high percentage of workers still
leave the employer within a year of accepting a counteroffer,
some being forced out.
Do make a plan to keep in touch with key coworkers, friends, and
mentors. Keep your network strong.

Job Resignation Dos and
Donts
Dont feel guilty about leaving. It may be hard to leave, but focus
on the fact that you are leaving to accept a great career
opportunity. And don't brag about that great opportunity.
Do your best to wrap up all your major assignments. And do
leave a detailed progress report for your supervisor and/or
successor.
Do be prepared for some employers to overreact to your
resignation; some employers immediately dismiss employees
who resign.
Do write a professional resignation letter or memo.
Dont feel as though you need to tell your current employer any
reason for leaving your job, but do be polite in thanking the
employer for the opportunity to work there.
Do submit your letter of resignation to your immediate supervisor,
with a copy to the human resources department.

How to Write a Letter of
Resignation
When writing a letter of resignation:
It's important to keep your resignation letter as simple, brief,
and focused as possible.
It should also be positive.
Once you have made the decision to move on,
there's no point in criticizing your employer or your
job.
Your letter of resignation should include:
The fact that you are leaving
Date when your resignation is effective
You can also let the employer know you appreciate
your time with the company.
Resignation Letter Template
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code

Date

Employer Contact Information:
Name
Title
Organization
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Salutation:
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

First Paragraph:
The first paragraph of your letter should state that you are resigning and give the date when your
resignation is effective.

Middle Paragraph:
The next section of your resignation letter (optional) should thank your employer for the opportunities you
have had during your employment with the company.

Final Paragraph:
Conclude your resignation letter (optional) by offering to assist with the transition.

Complimentary Close:
Sincerely,


Typed Signature

7 Shawnee Road
Short Hills, NJ 07078


August 1, 2006


Dr. Jill Fenimore
Director of Pharmaceutical Sales
Merck & Company, Inc.
1 Merck Drive
Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889

Dear Dr. Fenimore:

I am writing to you today to officially tender my resignation from Merck effective Friday, August 18, 2009.

I never thought I would ever leave such a great company as Merck, but when the opportunity arose to own
and operate my own vineyard in Napa, which as you know has always been a lifelong dream for me, I
simply had to take advantage of it.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Merck, about all the people Ive encountered in my years of
service with the company, and especially about you and all the others on the sales team. Your leadership
has taken us all to new levels, and I have appreciated all your personal and professional advice over the
years. Its my hope that we will stay in touch as I begin this new chapter in my life.

If you have any questions, please ask. Thanks again for everything.

Sincerely,


Scott Hent
SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT BUT
THE END