The power of choice in Nursing

FigureThere are many good reasons that inspire individuals to become nurses. One that stands the test of time and can benefit nurses throughout their career is the choice that it offers. Early in my own nursing career, my concept of choice was limited. It revolved around the type of practice setting I wanted and the available scheduling options. When I decided to return to school for a master's degree, my choices centered on the variety of graduate programs and the different degrees that they conferred. There were more decisions to make. Over the years, the choices of role, practice setting, patient population, schedule, options for skill attainment, and job functions continued to unfold. I came to realize that the only limits to what I could choose to do in nursing were the ones I placed on myself. Continuing my education and intentionally developing skills in clinical practice, teaching, presenting at conferences, writing for publication, and leadership created more choices, even when some were volunteer activities. Each new professional attribute and my willingness to travel brought fresh options to consider. The key take-away: Professional development is a dynamic process that can lead to opportunities not always considered. In the spirit of professional development and forging new paths, this Nurses Month issue of Nursing offers a special section that features the stories of three nurses who practice in unique roles—a nurse attorney, a software developer, and a nurse scientist—and describes how their career paths unfolded. Through their narratives, they answer a common question that nurses might ask when contemplating their own future in the profession: How did you get where you are? The broader, tongue-in-cheek question of “what do I want to be when I grow up?” could have many answers as nurses advance both in their nursing careers and in life, with its many changes, twists, and turns. These authors offer food for thought and motivation for those striving to apply their nursing knowledge and experience in new ways. On a related note, career and healthy lifestyle choices are intricately linked. The article, “Defining a healthy nurse,” in this issue's Inspiring Change column describes a project spearheaded by the American Nurses Association that has important implications for every member of our profession. In caring for others and meeting work-related and personal obligations, it is all too easy to minimize or ignore self-care needs. Physical and mental well-being are essential for overall quality of life and support nurses' abilities to be role models for patients and colleagues. Happy Nurses Month! LINDA LASKOWSKI-JONES, MS, APRN, ACNS-BC, CEN, NEA-BC, FAWM, FAAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, NURSING2025