blueprint week 2025
Day 1
Why nurses feel stuck bedside (when they have so many options)
Unpack the emotional and systemic reasons nurses stay stuck and how to break free.
TL:DW (a little summary for those who CBF watching the replay)
Blueprint Week Attendee Welcome Session
Beth welcomed attendees to Blueprint Week, noting 54 people had registered for the event. She mentioned that while some attendees would be present live, others might join for replays during breaks or tea times. Beth expressed excitement about the diverse group, half of whom she knew personally and the other half being new faces.
Beyond Bedside Nursing Career Transition
Beth, a registered nurse with 14-15 years of experience, shared her career journey from bedside nursing to research, pharmaceutical education, and now working as a care coordinator from home. She emphasized that she created the Beyond Bedside Nursing platform to help other nurses transition out of bedside roles, as she often received requests for guidance on career changes. Beth explained that Blueprint Week aims to provide nurses with a plan to move beyond bedside nursing by the end of the week, addressing the common feeling of being stuck despite numerous career options available to registered nurses.
Breaking Barriers for Nurse Career Change
Beth discussed the systemic challenges and emotional barriers that prevent nurses from exploring career options beyond bedside nursing. She highlighted how the nursing system conditions nurses to believe that staying at the bedside is noble, leading to feelings of guilt and inadequacy when considering a career change. Beth emphasized that these feelings are not personal flaws but symptoms of a system that overworks nurses and undervalues their contributions, particularly financially. She encouraged nurses to recognize their worth and consider alternative career paths without feeling guilty or inadequate.
Nursing Burnout and Systemic Change
Beth discussed the challenges nurses face, emphasizing that the pressure to work harder in a broken healthcare system often leads to burnout rather than improved patient care. She highlighted that nurses are not to blame for systemic issues and encouraged them to recognize their skills can be used elsewhere. Beth stressed the importance of shifting from a fixed mindset to one that allows for growth and change, urging nurses to consider their well-being and not delay leaving a toxic work environment.
Overcoming Barriers to Nurse Transitions
Beth discussed the challenges nurses face when considering career transitions, highlighting fears of starting over, decision paralysis, and loss of identity. She emphasized that nurses often equate leaving bedside nursing to failure, which prevents them from exploring new opportunities. Beth also mentioned the impact of burnout and imposter syndrome on their ability to search for new careers. To overcome these barriers, Beth proposed focusing on how nurses can make changes rather than being overwhelmed by the options available.
Expanding Nurses' Career Horizons
Beth discussed the importance of expanding nurses' perspectives beyond traditional bedside roles and emphasized the need to view nursing skills as transferable to various industries. She encouraged participants to reconnect with their original motivations for becoming nurses and to recognize how their skills align with job requirements in other fields. Beth also highlighted the significance of shifting one's mindset to overcome fears of losing identity and to take actionable steps towards new career opportunities.
Nursing Career Transition Strategies
Beth discussed strategies for nurses exploring career changes, emphasizing curiosity and peer support. She encouraged participants to take small steps, such as writing a resignation letter or connecting with her on LinkedIn, and challenged the myth of starting over by highlighting the transferable skills gained in nursing. Beth introduced her Beyond Bedside Board, offering resources like a job board, career clarity tools, and a WhatsApp community for support. She also highlighted five bonus items available for new members, including resume reviews, industry insights, and case studies, and announced upcoming sessions on high-demand industries for nurses transitioning out of bedside roles.
Day 2
5 non-bedside career options exploding with demand for nurses like you
Discover real, high-demand roles that don’t require scrubs or another degree.
Transitioning Nursing Careers: Opportunities Explored
Beth welcomed attendees to Day 2 of Blueprint Week, focusing on transitioning from bedside nursing to new career opportunities. She discussed five industries that hire nurses, including clinical and nursing roles, which offer a gradual transition for those uncomfortable with a complete career change. Beth highlighted the NDIS Support Coordinator position as a growing field but advised further research into companies before applying. She emphasized that nurses' clinical experience and interpersonal skills are highly valued in these roles.
Careers in Medical Sales
Beth discussed career opportunities in medical and pharmaceutical sales, emphasizing that these roles involve significant education and patient interaction rather than pure sales. She explained that product specialists and medical device representatives work in healthcare environments, teaching procedures and helping healthcare professionals make informed decisions. Beth highlighted the rewarding nature of these roles, noting that they offer good pay, travel opportunities, and bonuses, and she shared an example of someone who transitioned from a part-time nursing role to a territory manager position with a significant pay increase.
Clinical Research Career Opportunities
Beth discussed her experience in clinical research and trials, highlighting the opportunities for detail-oriented and passionate nurses to contribute to medical innovation. She shared her own experiences traveling internationally for investigator meetings and the structured nature of the roles, which can be both in the public or private sector. Beth emphasized the career progression available in clinical research, from associate roles to site management, and noted that while the travel aspect was no longer suitable for her, she greatly enjoyed her time in these roles.
Nursing Roles in Healthcare Management
Beth discussed various roles in healthcare management and education, emphasizing opportunities for nurses to shape programs, improve systems, and contribute to community health through initiatives that prevent illness. She highlighted specialized roles in regulatory affairs and pharmacovigilance, which involve ensuring drug safety and effectiveness, and noted these positions offer strong career growth and international opportunities. Beth stressed the value of clinical insights in these roles and shared her personal experience of career growth, emphasizing the demand for nurses' perspectives in meetings and decision-making processes.
Transitioning to Regulatory Affairs Nursing
Beth discussed the role of a Regulatory Affairs Assistant in clinical trials, emphasizing the importance of self-education, attention to detail, and risk assessment. She assured that while the terminology might be overwhelming, the skills required are transferable from clinical nursing, and companies are willing to upskill candidates due to the high demand for clinical knowledge. Beth highlighted the support available through the Beyond Bedside Board, which offers guidance on resumes, interviews, and career transitions, and expressed her passion for helping nurses explore new opportunities.
Nursing Skills Career Workshop
Beth ended the conversation by discussing the upcoming workshop scheduled for the following day, which will focus on leveraging existing nursing skills for new career opportunities. She emphasized that nurses possess valuable skills sought by non-traditional employers and encouraged attendees to take action in pursuing these new opportunities, despite potential criticism from others. Beth also mentioned that she would follow up with attendees offline and reminded everyone to join the next session.
Day 3
The skills you already have that non-traditional employers are begging for
Learn how to translate your clinical experience into language hiring managers understand.
Transitioning Nursing Skills for Careers
Beth welcomed participants to Day 3 of Blueprint Week, focusing on leveraging existing nursing skills for career transitions. She discussed the importance of shifting mindsets to recognize the value of nursing qualifications and experiences. Beth highlighted industries frequently calling for nurses and emphasized the need to effectively communicate and reframe these skills for new roles. The session aimed to build confidence in utilizing existing skills without adding extra responsibilities.
Transferable Clinical Skills in Transition
Beth emphasized the transferable value of clinical skills in various industries, highlighting that skills such as crisis management, patient education, and audit readiness are highly sought after. She explained that these skills can be applied in non-clinical roles, such as patient assessment and care planning, even when transitioning away from direct patient care. Beth shared her personal experience of using these skills in a remote care coordination role, demonstrating how clinical expertise can be adapted to different settings.
Nursing Skills for Non-Clinical Roles
Beth discussed the transferable skills nurses possess for roles in telehealth, care coordination, medical and pharmaceutical sales, and research. She emphasized the importance of highlighting clinical knowledge, relationship-building abilities, and leadership skills in these fields. Beth advised nurses to prepare examples of how they have applied their clinical skills in past roles and to focus on their ability to educate and build trust, which are natural strengths for roles in sales and territory management. She also noted that nurses' deep understanding of anatomy and pharmacology can be advantageous in these areas.
Clinical Nursing to Research Transition
Beth discussed the transition from clinical nursing to clinical research roles, emphasizing the importance of precision in documentation and patient engagement. She highlighted relevant experience, such as following protocols, audits, and data collection, as evidence of trial research readiness. Beth also noted that leadership and education skills developed in nursing, like team coordination and health literacy teaching, are transferable to various roles in healthcare management and research.
Nurses' Expertise and Role Transition
Beth discussed the importance of nurses showcasing their expertise and impact in health management and education roles. She emphasized the need to reframe clinical skills in a way that highlights their value to potential employers, using specific examples and language that non-clinical audiences can understand. Beth also highlighted the importance of nurses' ability to work under pressure and make quick decisions, skills that are often undervalued but crucial in many roles. She encouraged nurses to join her membership to receive further support and resources to help them transition into new roles.
Nursing Roles: Skills and Applications
Beth discussed the three biggest mistakes nurses make when applying for non-traditional roles, emphasizing that nurses often underestimate their qualifications and transferable skills. She encouraged attendees to recognize their worth and effectively communicate their clinical experience in new settings. Beth also mentioned the importance of applying for non-traditional roles during the Christmas-New Year shutdown to adjust to new roles as the new year begins.
Day 4
The 3 biggest mistakes nurses make when applying for non-traditional roles (and how to avoid them)
Avoid the resume traps and mindset blocks that sabotage your pivot.
Day 5
Your shortcut to a pivot into non-traditional nurse roles starts with these 3 steps