Every nurse develops a powerful set of transferable skills that can be applied to countless roles inside and outside of healthcare.
Take the Nurse Specialty quiz to learn how the skills you already have, can land you in a new role.
These include:
Perspective – Seeing solutions differently based on personal and professional experience.
Advocacy – Speaking up for yourself, your patients, and your colleagues.
Adaptability – Thriving in change and uncertainty (hello, pandemic survival!).
Time Management – Mastering the art of balancing multiple responsibilities effectively.
These skills shape how we show up in our work and personal lives. Below, I’ll share personal examples of how I’ve applied each of these in my nursing journey and how you can highlight them in your own career.
The reason why I speak so much about that your overall Nurse life is because it builds on all aspects of you as a person. When I passed my NCLEX, I felt like I could do anything. Then I became a mom, and I felt indestructible—a FORCE to be reckoned with.
That tag phrase "I'm a Nurse, what's your superpower?"—yeah, something like that, minus the cape. Motherhood + Nursing is still the best gang that I've ever been affiliated with.
Make sure you take the things that others may see as obstacles and turn them into your armor.
Here's how I introduce myself:
Hi, I'm Nurse Megs; Part Nurse; Part Mom; Part Wife; Part Amazing—Heavy on the Amazing!
All these roles contribute to better patient outcomes. The way I care for my patients, my staff, and my teammates is rooted in my diverse experiences.
Nursing is more than a job—it's a way of thinking and solving problems. So, let's go through some transferable skills that you're probably overlooking.
Perspective
Recently, we worked in a new environment as the clinic rolled out a mobile unit. We set it up with all necessary medical equipment, vaccinations, medications, and emergency items. Within one week, two staff members hit their heads on a shelving unit. A provider who recently became a mom had a brilliant solution—installing bumpers on the metal shelving. Would she have thought of this before becoming a mom? Maybe, maybe not.
Regardless, she blended her nursing and motherhood skills to solve a problem. Your unique experiences give you an edge—use them!
Advocacy
I remember my Nurse Manager telling us that shifts were determined based on seniority—new grads had to rotate until they gained experience. I was miserable on day shifts; I was always behind, the teamwork was lacking, and I felt out of place. I went to my manager and explained that I was a better mom, wife, and nurse on nights.
Guess what? I became a permanent night-shift nurse! From that moment on, I always advocated for myself the way I do for my patients.
💡 Pro Tip: If you're struggling with shift assignments, learn how to advocate for yourself in the workplace.
Adaptability
Did you work through the pandemic? Then you already have one of the strongest skills in any career—adaptability. Whether you changed jobs, took on new roles, or worked through uncertainty, your ability to pivot is a major strength.
When the pandemic hit, I was a clinical instructor and a nurse leader. The juggling act was real, but I made the decision to step away from teaching and focus on my full-time role. That adaptability helped me coach and mentor other nurses during an uncertain time.
Time Management
Nursing is the ultimate pivot profession. Most nurses juggle multiple roles—full-time jobs, per diem positions, volunteer work, and community involvement. How do we manage it all? Strong time management skills.
If you've successfully balanced a nursing career with family, side gigs, or continuing education, you're already mastering a key transferable skill. Highlight that in your resume and interviews!
📌 Want to discover more of your hidden nursing strengths? Take the Transferable Nursing Skills Quiz now! Take the Quiz
Just my Nurse Perspective
Your nursing skills extend far beyond the bedside. Whether it's advocacy, adaptability, perspective, or time management, you have what it takes to transition into new roles with confidence.
Let's work together to document your worth, refine your resume, and prepare you for your next career milestone—without burnout.
Nurse Megs
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