ORCHESTRATING A RESEARCH CAREER Angela Barron McBride, PhD, RN, FAAN Distinguished Professor and University Dean Emerita Indiana University School of Nursing.

ORCHESTRATING A ORCHESTRATING A RESEARCH CAREERRESEARCH CAREER

Angela Barron McBride, PhD, RN, FAANAngela Barron McBride, PhD, RN, FAANDistinguished Professor and University Dean EmeritaDistinguished Professor and University Dean Emerita

Indiana University School of NursingIndiana University School of Nursingandand

AAN-ANF-IOM Scholar-in-ResidenceAAN-ANF-IOM Scholar-in-ResidenceInstitute of MedicineInstitute of Medicine

Intellectual RootsIntellectual Roots

Care, N.S. (1984). Career choice. Care, N.S. (1984). Career choice. Ethics, 94Ethics, 94, , 283-302.283-302.

Dalton, G.W., Thompson, P.H., & Price, R.L. Dalton, G.W., Thompson, P.H., & Price, R.L. (1977). The four stages of professional careers: (1977). The four stages of professional careers: A new look at performance by professionals. A new look at performance by professionals. Organizational Dynamics, 6Organizational Dynamics, 6(1), 19-42.(1), 19-42.

Dutton, J.A. & Crowe, L. (1988). Setting priorities Dutton, J.A. & Crowe, L. (1988). Setting priorities among scientific initiatives. among scientific initiatives. American Scientist, American Scientist, 7676, 599-603., 599-603.

Seligman, M.E. P. (1991). Seligman, M.E. P. (1991). Learned optimismLearned optimism. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Overview of Presentation:Overview of Presentation:

What does it mean to have a career?What does it mean to have a career? What are the activities that will engage you What are the activities that will engage you

throughout your research career?throughout your research career? What are the key transitions in a research What are the key transitions in a research

career?career? What can be done to sustain career optimism?What can be done to sustain career optimism?

What does it mean to have a career, What does it mean to have a career, and not just a job?and not just a job?

A career is “…a long-term project through which A career is “…a long-term project through which self-realization and service to others may be self-realization and service to others may be achieved.”achieved.”

N. S. CareN. S. Care (1984) (1984)

Characteristics of a Characteristics of a career:career:

Work that one anticipates doing and staying with Work that one anticipates doing and staying with over a significant period of timeover a significant period of time

An overlap between personal values and An overlap between personal values and professional goalsprofessional goals

Doing a good job is not the endpoint—skills are Doing a good job is not the endpoint—skills are exercised in service to larger goalsexercised in service to larger goals

Work that changes you over timeWork that changes you over time Assumption of increasing levels of responsibilityAssumption of increasing levels of responsibility A commitment to lifelong learningA commitment to lifelong learning A responsibility to nurture subsequent A responsibility to nurture subsequent

generations and shape the futuregenerations and shape the future

What will engage you throughout your What will engage you throughout your research career?research career?

Knowledge developmentKnowledge development Knowledge disseminationKnowledge dissemination Knowledge utilizationKnowledge utilization Resource developmentResource development Information technologyInformation technology

KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENTKNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT

The point of a research career is developing a The point of a research career is developing a programprogram of research that will eventually provide of research that will eventually provide some “answers” to important clinical questions.some “answers” to important clinical questions.

What are the implications?What are the implications?

A “program” of research means every study A “program” of research means every study conducted provides insights for the next level of conducted provides insights for the next level of inquiryinquiry

An over-time perspective requires the An over-time perspective requires the investigator to become methodologically more investigator to become methodologically more sophisticated with experience, and more sophisticated with experience, and more nuanced in conceptualization of the issuesnuanced in conceptualization of the issues

A practice profession requires that research be A practice profession requires that research be clinically relevant--directly or indirectly--, not clinically relevant--directly or indirectly--, not research just for its own sakeresearch just for its own sake

KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATIONKNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION

Findings are expected to be disseminated to Findings are expected to be disseminated to other professionals, policy makers, and the other professionals, policy makers, and the public as appropriate.public as appropriate.

What are the implications?What are the implications?

Findings in a practice profession usually have at Findings in a practice profession usually have at least two professional audiences--other least two professional audiences--other researchers and cliniciansresearchers and clinicians

Findings are usually disseminated through Findings are usually disseminated through presentations and publications, with the latter presentations and publications, with the latter being particularly importantbeing particularly important

RefereedRefereed presentations/publications are presentations/publications are important to the “discourse community” of a field important to the “discourse community” of a field because that distinction denotes peer reviewbecause that distinction denotes peer review

It is important that nurse researchers It is important that nurse researchers disseminate their work to interdisciplinary disseminate their work to interdisciplinary audiences for maximum influenceaudiences for maximum influence

The more senior you become, the more you will The more senior you become, the more you will be concerned about the research-policy link, and be concerned about the research-policy link, and sharing your work with policy makers who can sharing your work with policy makers who can help implement changes indicatedhelp implement changes indicated

It is important to be able to communicate the It is important to be able to communicate the meaning of your research to the public in jargon-meaning of your research to the public in jargon-free languagefree language

KNOWLEDGE UTILIZATIONKNOWLEDGE UTILIZATION

Important findings need to be incorporated into Important findings need to be incorporated into clinical protocols so they can shape practice, clinical protocols so they can shape practice, and into the curriculum so subsequent and into the curriculum so subsequent generations are informed.generations are informed.

What are the implications?What are the implications?

Teaching, research, and practice are truly Teaching, research, and practice are truly intertwinedintertwined

Nursing is concerned with both Nursing is concerned with both efficacyefficacy (what (what works under controlled conditions) and works under controlled conditions) and effectiveness effectiveness (what works in real-life situations)(what works in real-life situations)

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTRESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

The researcher must develop resources--human The researcher must develop resources--human and otherwise--to carry out a program of and otherwise--to carry out a program of research.research.

What are the implications?What are the implications?

All researchers, even those in research-intensive All researchers, even those in research-intensive environments, have to seek resources for their environments, have to seek resources for their workwork

Obtaining peer-reviewed grants is an important Obtaining peer-reviewed grants is an important external acknowledgment ofexternal acknowledgment of your workyour work

Part of research is building a research teamPart of research is building a research team Part of research is knowing how to use those Part of research is knowing how to use those

more experienced than you are as consultants more experienced than you are as consultants and those less experienced than you are as and those less experienced than you are as research assistantsresearch assistants

Networking is a form of resource developmentNetworking is a form of resource development

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYINFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

In each career phase, mastery of information In each career phase, mastery of information technology (IT) will be important to career technology (IT) will be important to career success.success.

What are the implications?What are the implications?

IT is important to communication/networking: IT is important to communication/networking: word processing, document sharing, word processing, document sharing, collaborative writing, e-mail, listserves, collaborative writing, e-mail, listserves, homepage developmenthomepage development

IT is important to teaching: powerpoint, web IT is important to teaching: powerpoint, web course management, using a spreadsheet for course management, using a spreadsheet for grades, integrating instructional software into grades, integrating instructional software into your course, test administration and grading your course, test administration and grading softwaresoftware

IT is important to research management: IT is important to research management: organizing data bases, statistical software for organizing data bases, statistical software for data analysis, online searching, online journals, data analysis, online searching, online journals, bibliographic citation databasebibliographic citation database

IT is important to career management: portfolio IT is important to career management: portfolio development, access to continuing education, development, access to continuing education, job searches, CV construction, electronic job searches, CV construction, electronic calendars, contact lists, project planners, fiscal calendars, contact lists, project planners, fiscal planning, links to professional organizations and planning, links to professional organizations and information sitesinformation sites

There are additional ways of organizing the activities that will engage you throughout your career. The RWJ Executive Nurse Fellows Program focuses on five core leadership competencies:

Self-knowledgeSelf-knowledge Strategic visionStrategic vision Risk taking and creativityRisk taking and creativity Interpersonal and communication Interpersonal and communication

effectivenesseffectiveness Inspiring and leading changeInspiring and leading change

Self-Knowledge—”the ability to understand self in the context of organizational challenges, interpersonal demands and individual motivation”

•Build on strengths•Use others to shore up limitations

Strategic Vision—”the ability to connect broad social, economic, and political changes to the strategic direction of institutions and organizations”

•Learn the art of the environmental scan•Connect personal goals to institutional and/or community goals

Risk Taking and Creativity—”the ability to transform self and organization by moving outside the traditional and patterned ways of success”

•If you do what’s been done before, you won’t be able to address in the future the problems created in the past•There is never just one way of doing things

Interpersonal and Communication Effectiveness—“the ability to translate strategic vision into compelling and motivating messages”

•Connecting with people is at the heart of all effectiveness•The leader has to stay on message for others to hear the message

Inspiring and Leading Change—”the ability to create, structure, and effectively implement organizational change in a continuous manner”

•Knowing what to do is not the same as knowing how to get it done

•Incremental change doesn’t mean the increments cannot get bigger over time

What are the key transitions in a What are the key transitions in a research career?research career?

PreparationPreparation Independent ContributionsIndependent Contributions Programmatic DevelopmentProgrammatic Development Development of FieldDevelopment of Field Gadfly PeriodGadfly Period

Stage I. PREPARATIONStage I. PREPARATION

Central Activity: LearningCentral Activity: Learning

Primary Relationship: Student, Research Primary Relationship: Student, Research AssistantAssistant

Major Theme: Assimilating values, knowledge Major Theme: Assimilating values, knowledge base, and inquiry skills important to a base, and inquiry skills important to a research careerresearch career

PREPARATIONPREPARATION

Obtain formal education (undergraduate, Obtain formal education (undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral research training) and graduate, postdoctoral research training) and appropriate additional credentialsappropriate additional credentials

Seek socialization experiences, including joining Seek socialization experiences, including joining appropriate professional organizations and appropriate professional organizations and working as a research assistantworking as a research assistant

Develop the habits of precision (e.g., time Develop the habits of precision (e.g., time management, bookmarking internet sites management, bookmarking internet sites [science of aging knowledge environment—[science of aging knowledge environment—www.sageke.org], analyzing your strengths and www.sageke.org], analyzing your strengths and limitations)limitations)

Observe/analyze the successful, and seek their Observe/analyze the successful, and seek their mentoringmentoring

Find workable strategies for personal stress Find workable strategies for personal stress management, so you can manage the “long run”management, so you can manage the “long run”

Seek “validating” outcomes, e.g., funding, Seek “validating” outcomes, e.g., funding, presentations/publications, honorspresentations/publications, honors

Stage II. INDEPENDENT Stage II. INDEPENDENT CONTRIBUTIONS CONTRIBUTIONS

Central Activity: Functioning as a principal Central Activity: Functioning as a principal investigator (PI)investigator (PI)

Primary Relationship: ColleaguePrimary Relationship: Colleague

Major Theme: Dealing with the inevitable Major Theme: Dealing with the inevitable gap between ideals learned and the gap between ideals learned and the realities of work setting, i.e., dealing with realities of work setting, i.e., dealing with failure and unrealistic expectationsfailure and unrealistic expectations

INDEPENDENT CONTRIBUTIONSINDEPENDENT CONTRIBUTIONS

Demonstrate ability to obtain major funding as a Demonstrate ability to obtain major funding as a PIPI

Build collegial network and research teamBuild collegial network and research team Obtain resources for program of studyObtain resources for program of study Take full advantage of strengths, opportunities, Take full advantage of strengths, opportunities,

and aspirations of home settingand aspirations of home setting Learn to give and get criticismLearn to give and get criticism

Join “discourse community” of field as a first (or Join “discourse community” of field as a first (or sole) author and as a peer reviewersole) author and as a peer reviewer

Learn to articulate the “meaning” of your Learn to articulate the “meaning” of your researchresearch

Incorporate research into clinical protocols and Incorporate research into clinical protocols and educational practices as appropriateeducational practices as appropriate

Move from novice to expertMove from novice to expert

Stage III. PROGRAMMATIC Stage III. PROGRAMMATIC DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT

Central Activity: Facilitating home institutionCentral Activity: Facilitating home institution

Primary Relationship: Mentor, AdministratorPrimary Relationship: Mentor, Administrator

Major Theme: Assuming responsibility for Major Theme: Assuming responsibility for development of others and of settingdevelopment of others and of setting

PROGRAMMATIC DEVELOPMENTPROGRAMMATIC DEVELOPMENT

Nurture colleagues in earlier career stagesNurture colleagues in earlier career stages Build infrastructure/resources, e.g., obtain Build infrastructure/resources, e.g., obtain

institutional research training grantinstitutional research training grant Engage in continuous strategic planning Engage in continuous strategic planning

regarding research development at home regarding research development at home institutioninstitution

Shape establishment of centers of excellence Shape establishment of centers of excellence that build on individuals’ strengthsthat build on individuals’ strengths

Develop a tolerance for ambiguity; develop Develop a tolerance for ambiguity; develop political savvypolitical savvy

Expand purview of own research program, e.g., Expand purview of own research program, e.g., establishing multi-site collaborationsestablishing multi-site collaborations

Build institutional imageBuild institutional image

Stage IV. DEVELOPMENT OF FIELDStage IV. DEVELOPMENT OF FIELD

Central Activity: Shaping profession and health Central Activity: Shaping profession and health carecare

Primary Relationship: LeaderPrimary Relationship: Leader

Major Theme: Exercising power of Major Theme: Exercising power of authority/creating a vision for the futureauthority/creating a vision for the future

DEVELOPMENT OF FIELDDEVELOPMENT OF FIELD

Serve as advisor to regional/national/ Serve as advisor to regional/national/ international efforts and/or organizationsinternational efforts and/or organizations

Build field’s infrastructure/resourcesBuild field’s infrastructure/resources Work with other fields to achieve common goalsWork with other fields to achieve common goals

Articulate research agenda of fieldArticulate research agenda of field Link research to policy formationLink research to policy formation Prepare successor generationsPrepare successor generations Establish reputation/legacy, e.g., new programs Establish reputation/legacy, e.g., new programs

within a professional associationwithin a professional association Build image of fieldBuild image of field

Stage V. GADFLY PERIODStage V. GADFLY PERIOD

Central Activity: Continuing to shape Central Activity: Continuing to shape profession and health careprofession and health care

Primary Relationship: AdvisorPrimary Relationship: Advisor

Major Theme: Exercising power of authority Major Theme: Exercising power of authority when no longer constrained by institutional when no longer constrained by institutional obligationsobligations

GADFLY PERIODGADFLY PERIOD

Serve as a consultant to regional/national/Serve as a consultant to regional/national/

international efforts and/or organizationsinternational efforts and/or organizations Speak and write Speak and write provocativelyprovocatively about issues of about issues of

the day, the day, andand how issues of the day are how issues of the day are embedded in history of field and of health careembedded in history of field and of health care

Function as a wise, affirming (wo)man, e.g., Function as a wise, affirming (wo)man, e.g., recommending colleagues for honors/special recommending colleagues for honors/special experiencesexperiences

Take on special projects that require Take on special projects that require synthesizing skills and high-level integrative synthesizing skills and high-level integrative abilitiesabilities

What can be done to sustain career What can be done to sustain career optimism?optimism?

Cultivate “hardiness”Cultivate “hardiness” Monitor cognitive constructionsMonitor cognitive constructions Build on strengthsBuild on strengths

Associate with optimistic peopleAssociate with optimistic people Learn the art of reframingLearn the art of reframing See self as an executive property deserving to See self as an executive property deserving to

be well maintainedbe well maintained

Cultivate “hardiness”:Cultivate “hardiness”:

COMMIT to important professional goalsCOMMIT to important professional goals Act as if you can CONTROL your destiny in key Act as if you can CONTROL your destiny in key

respectsrespects Recognize that CHANGE is not inherently Recognize that CHANGE is not inherently

negativenegative Stay connected to COMMUNITYStay connected to COMMUNITY

Monitor cognitive constructions:Monitor cognitive constructions:

Overgeneralizing failureOvergeneralizing failure Not owning successNot owning success Discounting positiveDiscounting positive Ignoring neutralIgnoring neutral

Ruminating on the negativeRuminating on the negative Obsessing about global problems (think globally Obsessing about global problems (think globally

but act locally)but act locally) Holding on to irrational beliefs, e.g., you can do it Holding on to irrational beliefs, e.g., you can do it

all or be loved by allall or be loved by all

Build on strengths:Build on strengths:

Education/socializationEducation/socialization Special talentsSpecial talents Life experiencesLife experiences Network of colleaguesNetwork of colleagues Strengths of home settingStrengths of home setting

Associate with optimistic people:Associate with optimistic people:

Seek out successful/positive colleaguesSeek out successful/positive colleagues Celebrate marker eventsCelebrate marker events Join professional organizationsJoin professional organizations Honor achievements of colleagues/fieldHonor achievements of colleagues/field

Learn the art of reframing:Learn the art of reframing:

““I’m so grown up that I cannot tell the difference I’m so grown up that I cannot tell the difference between failure and life experience”between failure and life experience”

““Remember that insoluble problems are just Remember that insoluble problems are just opportunities masquerading in disguise”opportunities masquerading in disguise”

““The bright know what the ideal might look like, The bright know what the ideal might look like, so it is not surprising that they regularly feel so it is not surprising that they regularly feel inadequate in the current situation”inadequate in the current situation”

““A A nono can be helpful in the next round of can be helpful in the next round of negotiations”negotiations”

See self as executive property See self as executive property deserving to be well maintained:deserving to be well maintained:

Attend to basics—nutrition, exercise, sleep, Attend to basics—nutrition, exercise, sleep, relaxation, stress managementrelaxation, stress management

Cultivate body listeningCultivate body listening Obtain needed support servicesObtain needed support services Plan for financial futurePlan for financial future

CAREERCAREER

Career . . .Career . . .Résumé lines,Résumé lines,But more than a long list.But more than a long list.What’s core is the sum total of What’s core is the sum total of Meaning.Meaning.

Mentored, Mentored, Then mentoring.Then mentoring.The challenge is to giveThe challenge is to giveAway self as you build substanceAway self as you build substanceIn place.In place.Copyrighted 2001, ABMCopyrighted 2001, ABM