Professional Development Resources
We are happy to provide tools and resources for advancing your professional development throughout the different stages of your career as a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse.
How to Get Involved in APHON
Congratulations! You are now a member of the premier organization for pediatric hematology/oncology nurses! APHON has a lot to offer throughout your career. To get started, peruse the website to learn more about the organization, from advocacy to white papers, APHON has the resources you need to excel. As a member, your APHON experience can be as fluid as your career. A typical trajectory can look like this:
Connect with members by engaging the Member Connection. If you have a special interest, join additional communities to participate in focused networking.
Join your local chapter & become an active member. Contribute your talents as you grow your experience in leadership by leading a local chapter initiative. Consider formal leadership & run for an officer position.
Nominate yourself or your colleagues for one of APHONs many awards. Attend conference. This is a great way to meet others with the same passion. It’s also a great way to connect with leaders of APHON committees or those leading initiatives that interest you.
Opt into the Volunteer Network and update your profile to reflect your areas of interest. This is the best pathway to match your interests with the current committees and initiatives within the organization.
Contribute to the publications produced by APHON. Share your story of your most memorable patient to APHON Counts or volunteer to author an article in your area of expertise. Consider submitting an abstract to JOPHON or assisting with one of the Steering Committee publications (medication sheets, disease-related booklets).
Share your expertise with the membership by submitting a poster, paper, or podium presentation for a conference.
After participating in the local chapter and national levels, consider volunteering for elected positions. The nominating committee and the APHON board of directors benefit from our diverse membership with varied backgrounds and interests.
APHON life does not end with an elected position! Members typically contribute toward continued work in their areas of interest.
We’re excited to have you as a part of this organization and we are eager to meet your professional development needs as you contribute your time and talent to APHON!
CV/Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A CV is a document that describes the course of your career in detail. The CV includes information about education, your professional career, publications and presentations, awards, and honors. There is no limit to how long a CV can be.
This is different from a resume which is a concise document that shows a snapshot of a candidate’s education and work history. A resume is included with most job applications and is no more than 1-2 pages in length.
Cover Letter
A cover letter should be included with any CV submissions. This letter allows you to give a narrative in your own voice that encourages the reader to give serious attention to your attached CV. A different cover letter should be used for each job you apply for in order to speak to the unique points of that specific job and how you would be the best fit.
Resources
Curriculum Vitae Cover Letters
Free Curriculum Vitae (CV) Templates for Microsoft Word
What is a CV? Curriculum Vitae Writing Tips and Examples
How to Interview
The Interview Process is your chance to impress your future employer, boss, or team. Interviews are a part of our career path and professional development. We interview for new jobs, new roles, career advancements, and professional development. Preparing for these interviews allows us to put our best foot forward, to be confident, and to let the interviewer you are the right person for the job.
When preparing for the job, take time to:
- Know your own goals, to be able to advocate for yourself
- Conduct Company Research
- Know the Interviewers
- Know the Job description
- Practice your answers to common interview questions; Tie your answers back to your skills and accomplishments
- Prepare smart questions for your interviewers
- Bring copies of your Resume; Be prepared to take notes
- Plan for your Interview attire; Make a great first impression
- Arrive early
- Ask about the next steps
- Always send a personalized Thank you letter after the interview.
Resources
Career Guide Series – Complete Guide to Job Interviews – Nurse.org
Top 25 Nursing Interview Questions and Answers
31 Sample Nursing Interview Questions with Interview Guide
10 Essential Steps to Prepare Yourself for a Job Interview
21 Job Interview Tips: How to Make a Great Impression
Salary Negotiation
Salary and benefits negotiation can help nurses earn more in their roles, however, many nurses do not feel comfortable negotiating their salary, potentially leaving money on the table. New nurses will heave much less leverage in salary negotiation, but the following things may be considered in determining a new graduate nurse’s pay rate:
- Experience in the healthcare field prior to becoming a registered nurse.
- Education level
- Available differentials (night shift, weekend)
Experienced nurses have much more opportunity when it comes to salary negotiation. The following things should be leveraged by experienced nurses during salary negotiations:
- Years of experience
- Certifications
- Education
- Involvement — committees, clinical ladder, presentations, staff education
Preparing to negotiate your salary
- Research — Check on job websites such as Monster, Indeed, and Glassdoor to see what type of salary and benefits are being offered for similar positions in the area. Reach out to others in similar positions to see if they may able to give some insight.
- Sell Yourself – make a solid case for why you should receive your desired salary. Prepare examples and documentation of your accomplishments and involvement.
- Leverage — Try to have the potential employer quote a salary before you give a number or range. Once you quote a figure, it is almost impossible to negotiate upwards.
- Negotiate — When negotiating know in your mind the absolute lowest figure that would be acceptable as well as the figure you are truly hoping for. Start negotiations a little higher than what you are hoping for so that you appear reasonable while allowing for some wiggle room.
- Be authentic — Stay truthful and candid with potential employers. Be ready to end negotiations and walk away if you feel they truly cannot meet your reasonable demands. Do not negotiate just for fun or tell them you have an offer from another employer if you do not actually. These things could backfire.
Know that salary negotiation is normal and expected.
Resources
A Nurse’s Guide to Salary Negotiation Tips
Advocating for Yourself
Advocacy is defined by Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary as the act or process of supporting a cause or a proposal. And an advocate is defined as one that pleads, defends, or supports a cause or interest of another. As nurses, we advocate for others, our patients, and their families on a daily basis but is also important for us to advocate for ourselves.
Advocating for yourself is a primary player in both personal and professional development. We must believe in ourselves, have confidence, and strive for what we want. Key elements to advocating for yourself are open communication, don’t be afraid to speak up, being open-minded and listening, and learning to control your emotions. We also have to be prepared by knowing the facts, being open, clear and have a plan and be persistent with continued communication and ongoing follow-through. There are multiple resources available related to self-advocacy for self and at work.
Professional development is a journey. Always remember:
Believe in yourself and your abilities | Know your strengths and weaknesses | Share your ideas | Be prepared and have a plan
Resources
7 Ways to Advocate for Yourself
6 Ways to Advocate for Yourself at Work
6 Ways to Advocate for Yourself at Work
Advocating for Nurses and Nursing – Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Jan. 2012