Question:
Dear Donna,
I am an RN and have been the director of a large ADHC program for the past seven years. I always have been very interested in ethics, and hope to obtain a job where the field is a major part of the job description. I have no experience in this area, but I have very good skills that could be an asset in this area. Can you offer suggestions on how I may go about finding a job like this?
Lucille
Dear Donna replies:
Dear Lucille,
Nurses work as consultants, educators and coordinators in the field of ethics in various healthcare and education settings. Some are employees and some are self-employed.
I would suggest you contact area hospitals and speak to the leaders of their ethics committees. Ask whether they have community members involved, and if so, see about volunteering to be a committee member. This is a great way to gain some relevant experience and make related contacts. And volunteering often leads to paid employment.
Contact colleges of nursing and medicine and speak to healthcare/medical/nursing ethics professors. Do an informational interview (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/Interviewing) with them about the specialty. This helps to expand your knowledge about the field and the job market, and builds your professional network. Everything happens through networking. It?s a great way to find and get a job.
Nurse.com has a great six-part CE series on nursing ethics you may find helpful or interesting http://ce.nurse.com/RCourseSearch.aspx?SearchT=ethics
Best wishes,
Donna
