1. NURSING STANDARD january 6 :: vol 30 no 19 :: 2016 63
Careers If you would like to contribute to our careers section email the
commissioning editor at thelma.agnew@rcni.com or @ThelmaAgnew
Januaryisoftenatimeofpersonal
reflection.Inapost-festivehaze,
manyofusrelivethehighsof
thepast12months,glossover
thelowsandsetunrealisticgoals
fortheyearahead.Youcando
itdifferently.
Career coaching can help to
ensure your goals are focused on
what you really want, and be clear
about the steps you need to take
to succeed.
Aside from your annual
development review, how often do
you really take the time to focus
on how you want to develop as
a nurse? Working with a trained
coach will give you the opportunity
to explore all aspects of your
professional and personal life.
Unlike talking therapies, which
seek meaning by exploring the past,
coaching is about moving forward.
Your coach’s role is to guide you
through a structured process of
self-discovery, empowering you
to move from self-doubt to
self-belief so that you are inspired
and motivated to take positive
actions towards an agreed goal.
Typically, the coaching process
involves four to six hour-long
sessions. You will start by exploring
all aspects of your working life, and
then focus on specific areas. By
asking challenging questions, your
coach will help you identify:
 What direction you want your
nursing career to take.
 If this vision reflects your
personal values and aspirations.
 Any barriers or inner beliefs that
are holding you back.
 Actions that will help you move
towards your goal.
 What you need to do to stay
motivated and on track.
Coaching takes time, patience
and commitment. You will need
to be open and honest – most
importantly, with yourself – and be
open to change.
Explore your options
Coaching offers a rare opportunity
to reflect on your nursing career
and aspirations. You will be
encouraged to think about the
aspects of your role that you enjoy,
your strengths and dreams, and
the obstacles in your way. For
example, you may have worked
as a staff nurse for years and not
appreciated the teaching skills you
have developed; a coach could help
you explore teaching opportunities.
According to the International
Coaching Federation, the desire
to explore different career
opportunities is one of the top
reasons people opt for coaching.
Underlying factors often include
issues with self-confidence,
self-esteem and work/life balance.
Coaching has been shown to have
a positive effect on confidence and
self-belief.
Coaching differs from mentoring,
which involves a more senior nurse
helping you develop your clinical
and managerial skills. Effective
coaching goes beyond completing
a series of tasks or competencies
and is focused on shifting your
views and sense of purpose. While
a colleague or mentor may provide
you with a valuable listening ear, a
coach should listen, question and
seek commitment so that you learn,
plan a way forward and turn that
plan into reality.
Unlike other aspects of your
professional life, in coaching you
are accountable only to yourself.
A coach will challenge and
encourage, but you are responsible
for your learning and making
change happen.
If you are interested in career
coaching, speak to your line
manager about opportunities at
your organisation. Alternatively,
ask your trade union for local
contacts, or go to the International
Coaching Federation UK website
(see resources) and use the ‘find a
coach’ facility NS
GETTING BACK ON TRACK
RESOURCES
ICF Global Coaching
Client Study
tinyurl.com/gsgkezl
International Coaching
Federation UK
www.coachfederation.org.uk
Where New Year’s resolutions fail, career coaching can succeed by helping you
identify what you really want and work towards it, writes Mandy Day-Calder
Mandy Day-Calder is a nurse
and freelance writer
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