When I was growing up, our neighborhood was filled with kids. We enjoyed long summer days filled with games we played outside. We had plenty of space to roam, with the homes interspersed with wooded areas where we played hide-and-seek, kickball, and rounds of tag. But, I think everyone’s favorite game was tug-of-war.

Most everyone was in grade school like me, however, we did have some older brothers and sisters that were in high school in our mix of friends. It didn’t take long to build our strategy for tug of war; you wanted to be on the team with the high school kids. They were older, stronger, and they knew how to dig in, and leverage their strength. They anchored the team, gained traction, and pulled the team to victory.

So many nurses today are experiencing an internal tug-of-war, questioning whether their current work situation is sustainable. Before the global pandemic, burnout in the nursing workforce in clinical settings was over 40%. Nurses love their patients, however, the compounded effects and stress of COVID-19, increasing red tape, and internal politics, all combine to the increasing rate of burnout and dissatisfaction. The average age of today’s nurse is between 43 and 47 and the average salary is $66,000. Nurses are contemplating different work styles that may be better suited to the life they want to lead. One with more freedom, flexibility, and financial control.

Nurses need to build a strategy, and it begins with acknowledging the tug-of-war struggle is real.

• Acknowledge what you feel, and know to be true about yourself and your work situation
• Develop a clear idea and the outcome you desire
• Create a clear plan of action
• Customize your support team – find your anchors, mentors, and role-models
• Build your networking community

This strategy works to increase job satisfaction, whether you choose to remain in your current work situation, or evaluate the multitude of options.

Confident decision making is the result of having enough information from which to base your decision. Plan to attend NNBA’s annual educational conference on nurse entrepreneurship and career alternatives. The NNBA has helped thousands of nurses with their business planning. You will gain valuable insights and confidence networking with experienced nurse entrepreneurs; we support our novices and our experts! www.NursesBusiness.com

Celebrating 35 years in business, the NNBA is nurse’s bridge to business. We will show you how to leverage your strengths, dig in, gain traction, and re-vitalize a fulfilling nursing career. We are nurses, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and mentors helping nurses succeed in business!