4 Tips for Navigating Change as a Healthcare Professional

Change is inevitable. We see it nearly everyday in healthcare. As the population ages and technology advances, the healthcare workforce must adapt in order to better serve the general population. As such, at Joyce we are in a constant state of change in order to best prepare our students to be competent and confident healthcare professionals. If “training the next great generation of healthcare professionals” is truly our goal, our efforts must evolve with the changes that are occurring in workplace.

Are you considering a major change in your life? Perhaps you’ve started down a new path and are experiencing the discomfort that is inevitable with learning and growing. Navigating change is tough, but here are 4 helpful tips to help you thrive during times of change.

1. Address your feelings.

If you’re uncomfortable with change, successfully navigating change starts with figuring out what your worries and fears are. Often it’s a matter of a perceived lack of control – even if the change is self-directed. Take the time to understand what’s driving your fear. Write down your feelings. This will take work, but it’s worth it!

2. Communicate with others.

At Joyce, we encourage Joyce pride. To us, Joyce pride is about selflessly giving of one’s time to help someone else achieve whatever goal they’re trying to accomplish. It’s a way for our students to understand we’re all in this together. An essential component of Joyce pride is the willingness to openly communicate your feelings or goals with those around you. Fear of change is due in part to the fear of the unknown. Communicate with others. It is likely that someone around you has gone through similar circumstances and can impart some wisdom.

3. Be fluid.

Flexibility is often touted as the strongest weapon in your arsenal for navigating change. While powerful, flexibility implies being firmly rooted and simply bending and flexing based on changing circumstances. As professionals who have spent decades in patient care, we understand fluidity is king! To be fluid means to go with the flow of circumstances. It’s the ability to adjust and adapt during change. A person who is fluid can transform and think in new ways. Flexibility will help you get by, but those who are fluid with thrive!

4. Take time for healthy habits.

It’s seems cliché, but it’s impossible to overstate. Creating healthy habits is one of the most important parts of successfully navigating change. Stress increases during times of change. Exercise, eat healthy, sleep well, and be open with your emotions. All other steps are less relevant if change is not managed along with a steady dose healthy habits.

Change encourages growth. It pushes us past our comfort zones and makes us stronger as a result. When change occurs, remember these tips and thrive!