Write a beginning mission statement for your professional nursing career. Do you plan to care for vulnerable populations in the community, become an expert in critical care nursing, or seek advanced education to become a midwife? Once you have identifi ed your mission, outline a plan with objectives to attain your goal. For example, you might want to conduct a SWOT analysis, looking at the external environment; your internal environment

(your skills, talents, and preferences); and the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities that exist in each. Once you have completed this exercise, you will have a better idea of which opportunities to pursue. For example, if you know that you want to work in pediatrics, you might ask for a pediatric journal subscription for your birthday. Additionally, you may be able to select or have input into the selection of your fi nal clinical rotation in school, or you may be able to look for meetings, conferences, or educational sessions in your area of interest.