The Pulse | Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Success Stories: Rhoda Redulla
SGNA Editor
How have you become a strategic thinker in your career?
Early in my career, I had the great opportunity to learn about strategic planning, which includes crafting a vision and mission for my organization, and department. I took this learning to heart and whenever I could, I tried to apply that to my professional development planning as well as in my personal life. Once or twice a year, I ask myself the same questions that are usually asked of a candidate during a job interview, “Where do you see yourself five years from now”? “What fires you up to be the best that you can?” Sometimes, the answers are not always clear, but taking the time to pause and reflect is already a win in itself. At work, as employees, it is great to use the self-evaluation and annual performance evaluation periods to your advantage. It is the perfect time to engage in self-reflection and chart the course for your career within the next few years.
What are some new educational opportunities individuals in the industry should be taking advantage of?
First, of course SGNA has a wide array of educational programs to choose from, various areas in several formats. I would strongly recommend periodically conducting your own learning needs assessment. What are my knowledge and skill gaps? Clinical knowledge and skills may be easy to identify and you may forget thinking of other equally important areas, such as safety, cultural competency and evidence-based practice.
Academic medical centers have “endoscopy live” courses. Learning from real cases in real-time. This is an incredible opportunity to learn about complex cases you may not routinely see in your current setting.
Other professional organizations such as the AASLD, ASGE and advocacy groups for some chronic conditions such as Crohns and the Colitis Foundation offer many educational opportunities.
What do you see as future educational opportunities, or developing opportunities, for individuals looking to grow in this industry?
Mobile learning is certainly one of them offered in innovative formats. Education offered through mobile applications has been growing. Although not new, opportunities to learn and grow by joining special interest groups, whether at work or through your professional society, have been expanding too. This opens a door to share your expertise while hearing about the latest and greatest from your peers.
What is your advice to nurses just beginning their careers?
Zero in on what sparks your interest, what ignites your passion, and develop it. I have previously worked with many hepatitis C patients in various stages of the disease. Before our current direct acting antivirals were available, completion of therapy was extremely challenging for patients. This inspired me to develop and test a nurse-driven pathway in hepatitis C management for my doctoral work. From this initial work sprung opportunities for scholarly presentations and publications afterwards. In fact, the biggest return that I got from it was extending my professional network and knowing experts in various areas of GI and liver specialties.
Find a mentor but have a clear objective of what you aim to achieve from the mentorship experience.
Be audacious. Dare yourself to do something and dream big, but have a road map on how to get there. Be prepared to take detours too.
In the book “The Alchemist”, Paulo Coelho wrote “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
My family and I moved to the United States from the Philippines twelve years ago. I had to relaunch my career here as a professional nurse and went through many challenges as a new immigrant then. I would never have imagined myself being able to achieve even a fraction of what I have seen in my career so far.
How do you define success in your career?
As a nurse, the most important definition of success should connect back to our patients, making a difference for their benefit. This can be achieved through providing the care directly to them or leading initiatives that lead to improvements in care.
Success is first meeting what is expected of you in your primary role and then exceeding expectations. It is also emerging as a leader, not necessarily in a formal role, but finding a way to support your peers.