THINKING AHEAD Put yourself in position to succeed, no matter what the future holds.

You're probably not thinking about the next step in your career, but it's important to never stop expanding your skill set and marketability, because you never know when the next opportunity will present itself. Here are some tools that will help you find your dream job, even if you're not actively looking for it.

Answer opportunity's knock. Security is a false god. When given a new chance, take it. Cross-training out of your comfort zone is where professional growth happens. Adding to your skill set makes you more hirable if you choose to test the market.

Learn from others. Partner with a co-worker whose job interests you. You might be curious about accounting or becoming a surgical tech, but aren't exposed to either position during your workday. If you're thinking about expanding your current skills, take some time during breaks or after hours to find a way to learn from colleagues already in the roles. The effort can pay off. Over the year, I've seen a housekeeper become a materials manager, a surgical tech go to nursing school, an RN go back to school to get her BSN/MSN before becoming an educator in a large hospital system and a lead orthopedic scrub nurse become the administrator of a freestanding surgery center.

Network. Stay in constant contact with professionals you admire or who have the types of careers and positions you aspire to. They might be willing to mentor you or at least provide insights when you face career-defining decisions. Go to national conferences to forge new professional relationships.

Join LinkedIn. When I changed jobs last October, I had no idea how many people used the networking website. I heard from past connections I hadn't seen or spoken to in years. It was welcome and extremely helpful feedback, and very much appreciated.

An important caveat: Don't mistake burnout or a few frustrating months as a sign to give up your career in surgery. Reconnect with other healthcare professionals to see if a little perspective will help you rediscover your passion. When I go to the annual OR Excellence conference, for example, I'm re-energized: My peers are happy to be there, learning from experts and continuing their education.

Monitor the market. Do you find yourself perusing openings on popular job websites or in healthcare journals? Even if you're not actively looking for a job, staying current on the market is a good way to note where the offers are, which fields need workers and perhaps which skills you need to add to take the next career step.

Keep in mind that your next job doesn't necessarily have to be in health care. Your experience and education can be valuable assets in other careers with a little fine-tuning or additional education. For example, a background in staff management could lend itself to a job in human resources. I've known several surgical nurses who've applied the work ethic and dedication the career demands to get their law degrees, and the shift in careers worked out very well for them.

Stretch yourself. Consider doing some public speaking. I know, some people say they fear it more than dying. But trust me, you can overcome the nervousness to become a dynamic speaker. Why does becoming a good presenter matter? The more you speak, the more exposure you get, and without realizing it, you're positioning yourself for your next job. People will remember you, and you never know where that may lead.

Study the presenters you admire. Do they make eye contact? Do they use notes? Is the presentation professional in appearance? Read about how to improve your skills. I just finished a good book on public speaking and writing talks called Secrets of Dynamic Communication by Ken Davis (tinyurl.com/orknbyo). There's lots of good instruction out there that's easy to find. Join Toastmasters (toastmasters.org), a communication workshop where you'll get to practice among people who want to see you succeed. They will only help you learn to become a better public speaker.

You don't have to do your first talk in a packed room at a national conference. Offer to present an in-service to your peers. Give a short talk at a staff meeting, in church or at a social club. The point is practicing, practicing and practicing some more is the only way to improve.

Get published. Contribute columns or articles to the journals or trade publications that interest you. Chances are, important decision-makers in other facilities are reading the same pages. If you're not confident in your writing skills, partner with someone who already contributes and submit a joint article. Let editorial staffs know that you're willing to comment if writers need insights from an expert. Taking these steps will increase your name recognition within the field, which will serve you well down the line in ways you might not realize.

Participate in associations. Having an active role in state or national organizations will increase your name recognition and let you network with talented and dedicated professionals who will help you advance your career now and in the future. Serve on committees to establish yourself and run for office when you're ready.

Ready for anything
Where does all this lead? You may never make a change in your current job, but if you ever do, leaders in health care or other fields will know who you are, and will be willing to step up and help you make valuable professional connections. The bottom line: You never know where you'll end up. Take an active role in all you do and you may find yourself in a dream job that you never could have thought possible.