Nursing

There are a number of transferable skills that will serve you well in the nursing industry and beyond, as well as clinical skills that you’ll need to hone if you choose to pursue nursing as a career.

Transferable skills and qualities

Transferable skills are skills you carry from one job to another, enhancing your adaptability and versatility. Here are a few transferable skills that complement nursing well:

• Detail-orientation
• Critical-thinking
• Collaboration
• Empathy
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Flexibility
• Observation

Field-specific skills

Field-specific skills are vital in nursing as they equip you with the necessary tools to effectively address nursing challenges. These skills enable accurate record-keeping and patient safety, which are critical for responding adeptly to nursing issues. Here are a few examples of these skills: 

• Providing high-quality patient care
• Taking and monitoring vitals
• Documenting family history 
• Diagnosing illnesses and injuries 
• Developing treatment plans
• Collaborating with the care team

The different types of roles within the nursing field require varying levels of education, training, licensure, and certification. Once you’ve explored which type of nursing role you want to pursue, you’ll need additional research to determine the level of clinical training to advance in that path. If you’re in the early stages of exploring, here are some options to informally explore more about the nursing field:

Self-education — If you want to learn asynchronously, informally, or casually about nursing career paths, self-education is a great place to start. Many approaches to this learning style support career goals, budgets, and time commitments. Here are some to consider:

• Informational interviews: Gain a greater understanding of nursing by speaking to nurses. Leverage your network or LinkedIn to see if you can chat with any nurses to learn more about their career trajectory, likes and dislikes within the field, advice, and insights. 
• Online courses: If you prefer a more structured or socialized learning experience, online courses might be a good option. edX.org offers several instructor-led and self-paced nursing courses that may be of interest.

Degree programs — Pursuing a degree in nursing offers the opportunity to pursue the field of nursing formally and begin the journey towards becoming certified and registered to treat patients after completing your education. It will equip you with the knowledge and skills to address patient challenges and engage you in a rewarding career dedicated to improving the lives and health of your patients. 

Interviewing for nursing positions will likely rely on behavioral interviewing questions. Stay informed about nursing best practices and practice formulating your responses in an organized, thoughtful manner. If you have experience handling a challenging patient situation, be ready to highlight the scenario and the impact that you have made. Potential employers will want to know both your nursing skills and transferable skills. Remember to be authentic and exude confidence during your interview.

Once you achieve your nursing career goal, celebrate your success. The career journey is full of ups and downs, and every victory deserves acknowledgment. 

With that said, your journey doesn’t end here — it’s only just beginning. Give yourself grace and understand that careers are not linear. Here are some ways you could continue growing your nursing skills:

Continued learning — Always reference our course catalog on edX.org for continued learning opportunities. It never hurts to brush up on your skills, expand your knowledge within the industry, or learn about other subjects that could apply to your work, interests, or something in between.

Promotions — As the nursing industry continues to grow, so will future job opportunities. To position yourself well for promotions, you will need to stay current on continuing education opportunities and develop leadership skills.

Pivots — Make sure to regularly check in with yourself and your satisfaction with daily tasks. If you are dissatisfied in your current role, take stock of what you like and dislike about it; keep your eyes out for opportunities in your department, specialty, or organization, and pursue career pivots that optimize your background, skill set, and interests.