Career Cartography: From Stories to Science and Scholarship

Abstract

Purpose: To present four case scenarios reflecting the process of research career development using career cartography.

Organizing constructs: Career cartography is a novel approach that enables nurses, from all clinical and academic settings, to actively engage in a process that maximizes their clinical, teaching, research, and policy contributions that can improve patient outcomes and the health of the public.

Methods: Four early-career nurse researchers applied the career cartography framework to describe their iterative process of research career development. They report the development process of each of the components of career cartography, including destination statement, career map, and policy statement.

Conclusions: Despite diverse research interests and career mapping approaches, common experiences emerged from the four nurse researchers. Common lessons learned throughout the career cartography process include: (a) have a supportive mentorship team, (b) start early and reflect regularly, (c) be brief and to the point, (d) keep it simple and avoid jargon, (e) be open to change, (f) make time, and (g) focus on the overall career destination.

Clinical relevance: These four case scenarios support the need for nurse researchers to develop their individual career cartography. Regardless of their background, career cartography can help nurse researchers articulate their meaningful contributions to science, policy, and health of the public.

Keywords: Career cartography; gender issues administration; gynecology; health of specific populations; mentorship; patient safety administration; professional ethics; professional issues; professional standards; public policy; women's health.