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Welcome to The Bold Brief—

You are a member of this community of top-notch expert nurses and healthcare professionals who aspire to be “bold” in career and life.

We want to be bold in our life’s purpose, and bold in life and career choices so that we can live with authenticity, balance, and meaningful challenges, driving forward with confidence.

So… the summer reading series book 1!

Welcome to the first issue of the 2025 Summer Reading Series!  

This series does not mean that you need to read 5 books!

I have done all the work for you.

🔄Book 1 is Working Identity by Herminia Ibarra - Core Concepts

• The importance of "outsight” is learning from real-world experiments rather than solely planning.

• The process of “identity work” through small, manageable experiments.

• Challenging assumptions about career change, emphasizing action over analysis.

• The concept of “re-inventing from the inside out” by aligning new work with core values and identity.

My Take for You

This book offers some perspectives that I can agree with. It reinforces what we know and teach at the Bold Brief and Bold Nurse Academy (BNA):

• Groundwork to align your life and career with your align core values, purpose, authenticity, and balance is an essential learning.

• Micro-actions (not big leaps) will ease the work of decision-making and the process of transformation.

• Reinvention begins with you. When you start with applying for jobs or (worse) start with changing a job - instead of examining the inside (your wants, needs, and goals) … you are limiting your own potential.

What You Might Find Useful: Key Takeaways from Book 1 and The Bold Nurse Academy

• Identity Experimentation: Ibarra’s central idea is that career reinvention doesn’t happen in one "aha" moment. Dr. Campoe agrees that it comes through experimentation. For expert nurses, this could mean testing new career paths without risking the professional identity you've worked hard to build.

• Safe Experiments: Instead of diving into a major career overhaul, try out new roles, volunteer for projects outside your usual responsibilities, or take on short-term tasks, or volunteer activities that align with a future role you’re considering. Dr. Campoe says, micro-actions help you figure out what feels right.

• Real-Life Insights: Many expert nurses and healthcare professionals find new directions by dipping their toes into less-familiar, non-traditional, or unfamiliar roles; learning from other nurses and healthcare professionals gives you practical examples of how to navigate your own career reinvention.

Actionable Insight →Take One Small Step Today

You don’t need to radically change everything. Begin by identifying one new role or identity you’re curious about whether it’s a leadership position, a non-clinical role, or something entirely outside the box.

1. Reach out to someone in that industry, field, or role for an informational interview.

2. Sign up for a free, short course or webinar on that topic. Don’t seek another degree or certification before confirming it is vital to your final decision!

3. Offer to take on a related task or project as a volunteer in that space or at work.

The key is to experiment without pressure. Just like Ibarra and Campoe suggest, these small shifts give you clarity over time. You do not need to have to have all the answers right now.

Scroll Down for Summer Reading Series Poll 1

Take the poll to be registered for a summer reading series prize!  

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Why This Matters

Experimentation is a powerful tool for Bold Nurses interested in non-traditional paths and roles because it allows you to explore what may be next without feeling like you have to start from scratch.

As nurses, we often get stuck dreaming and thinking that leaving the bedside and working toward a reinvention (big or small) means a complete overhaul. It doesn’t.

1. Understand your need for change.

2. Build confidence.

3. Master your self-discipline.

So that you can do what you love!

You can leverage your background and all that you have built! Experimentation helps you test the waters of part or whole of a new responsibilities, roles, and and even mindsets without the risk of losing what you have already built. By gradually trying on new identities, you can develop a clearer sense of direction and purpose, all while honoring your highly valued experience and expertise.

This approach aligns with the essence of what it means to be a Bold Nurse, embracing change with courage, clarity, and intention.

Poll 1 Summer Reading Series

🔍 Book 2 is next week!

In case you the goal this series, we will focus on 5 books handpicking practical tools. 

Book 1 🔄 Clarify your next career move with inward focused strategies - Working Identity by Herminia Ibarra.

Book 2🔍 Break down the barriers keeping you from acting on new opportunities

Book 3⚔️ Leverage your strengths to open doors in new roles

Book 4-5🌟Boost your confidence and visibility as a leader in your field

As you consider your next bold move, remember that career reinvention doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about taking small, aligned steps that help you explore new roles/responsibilities while still holding onto your existing identity.

The first step is often the hardest, but with guidance and experimentation, clarity will follow.

Stay tuned for next week’s edition of The Bold Brief

🔍 Book 2 ___________________ by ___________________.

Ready to learn the skills of ___________________ and how it can ___________________?

Again, I have done all the work for you so, let’s embrace this summer and enjoy a meaningful book - together!

And I'm here with you every book of the summer. 💗

💗💗P.S. If you want to learn from me on a daily basis, come connect with me on LinkedIn

Remember that this is a dedicated space for you, the nurses at the bedside and beyond, the committed healthcare professionals ready to explore transformative career paths beyond traditional roles. Every week, we'll dig into evidence-based strategies, insights, and stories designed to empower you to take bold steps toward a fulfilling career and life outside the hospital setting.