New year, new career goals, right?
As a nurse in the new year, your career opportunities are endless. You get to choose what field and specialty you want to pursue, whether that’s a surgical nurse, labor & delivery, or even a travel nurse.
But without a clear vision of where you want to go, this year will look much like the last. So, make this year the best year yet by visualizing your nursing career goals to transform them into reality! One powerful (and fun) way to accomplish this is by creating a nursing vision board.
What is a Vision Board?
Vision boards are tools used to clarify your goals, keep you motivated, and empower your success. In general, vision boards are a collage of words and visuals that represent your goals. By looking at your vision board each day, you can stay focused and on track toward your nursing career goals.
Benefits of a Vision Board for Nursing Career Goals
Vision boards are more than just a fun way to spend your day off. They’re researched-backed tools shown to increase your likelihood of success. Vision boards work for three main reasons: Visualization, repetition, and positivity.
- Visualization: Get Clearer on Your Passion & Purpose
The clearer you can visualize your goal, the easier it is to make it happen. Visualization is like practicing reaching your goals in your mind! As you do so, you can discover your true passion and purpose as a nurse.
- Repetition: Stay Focused & Committed
Seeing your nursing vision board each day can help you commit to your goals. It’s easy to forget your nursing career goals when you’re busy! Keep your vision board in a place you’ll see daily as a reminder to stay focused.
- Positivity: Inspire & Motivate Your Success
Above all, vision boards are meant to inspire. The very act of creating a vision board gives you time to think about what inspires you. Every time you see it, you’ll relive this positive experience and stay motivated for success!
How to Create a Nursing Vision Board: 3 Steps to Get Started
Grab some craft supplies, schedule a self-care night, and even invite your favorite coworkers to create nursing vision boards! Here are three steps to help you get started:
Step 1: Find Your Mission.
Before you get started, take some time to get to know you. Your mission summarizes your unique passions and purpose.
It’s what keeps you going and what you define as “success” in your career. Grab a journal and reflect on your nursing career goals. Ask yourself:
- What inspired me to become a nurse?
- What am I most passionate about in my nursing career?
- What are my top strengths and skills in my nursing career?
- What makes me different from other nurses?
- When do I feel most satisfied in my career?
Step 2: Clarify Your Vision.
From here, let your mission guide your vision! Your vision is a clear idea of what you want to accomplish and where you want to be in your career. It’s what your career will look and feel like as you reach your goals. The clearer your vision, the easier it is to make it a reality! Find your vision by asking yourself questions like:
- What does a successful nursing career look like to me?
- Where do I want to be 1 year from now? 3 years? 5 years? 10 years?
- What would I pursue in my nursing career if there were no limits?
- What are my nursing career goals?
- How would it feel to reach my nursing career goals?
Step 3: Create Your Nursing Vision Board!
Now, let’s take your ideas and visualize them! There are endless ways to find vision board ideas for 2023. Start by finding words, images, and visuals that represent your goals. These might be inspirational quotes, images of your dream career, the lifestyle you want to live, your vision, mission, or any other visuals. The sky’s the limit!
You can create a physical or digital vision board. To create a physical vision board, you’ll need:
- A poster board, bulletin board, or large piece of paper.
- Scissors
- Tape
- Pencils, markers, and/or paint
- Images
To create a digital vision board, you can create a new document and add the visuals.
You can find images and text from many sources, including Pinterest, Pexels, Unsplash, Canva, or even old magazines and newspapers!
Nursing Vision Board Ideas for the New Year
- Your 2023 Vision
Map out how you want the next year to go. What milestones do you want to hit? How do you want the year to feel? What changes do you want to make?
Find quotes and pictures that represent your vision for the new year.
- Fall in Love With Your Job
Remind yourself why you got started in the first place. Use your mission and vision to guide you as you put together words, positive affirmations, and visuals representing your passions and purpose. Revisit your vision board to stay motivated, even on the hard days!
- Goal Get ‘Em
Want a promotion? Want to grow in your role? Or, want to achieve your nursing career goals? Keep your goals front and center by visualizing the promotion, salary, lifestyle, schedule, or anything else you want to accomplish.
- Pursue a New Path
Perhaps you visualized your success, which inspired you to explore a new field or specialty in nursing. Pursue this path by focusing your vision board on where you want to go!
Reach Your Nursing Career Goals This Year and Beyond
As a nurse, your career paths and opportunities are limitless. It’s up to you to visualize your success, believe in yourself, and make it happen! And at CareerStaff, we’re here to connect you to your goals.
Discover nursing jobs nationwide, or quick-apply today to connect with a dedicated recruiter, ready to help you discover new opportunities, maximize your earnings, and choose your lifestyle.