Professional Development. Job Satisfaction. Mental Wellbeing. Does it matter?
You bet it does. We all strive to be successful and excel in our professional lives. We all want to be confident in our career choice whether you are a new MSL or a seasoned MSL. By learning and developing in areas such as a new therapeutic space, improving business acumen and communication skills, and emotional intelligence, we gain confidence in the value we bring to our organization.
Job satisfaction is part of the equation. Professional growth, engagement, and self-efficacy are key factors that increase job satisfaction. Feeling valued by the company and key opinion leaders provides the support and motivation required to grow professionally. A sense of self-efficacy, driving positive clinical practice changes, creates a feedback loop that encourages innovation and effort. This leads to reduced stress and an improved sense of wellbeing. Research has shown that the number one reason people leave a job is that they are feeling stagnant and are looking for growth and progression with their career(1). Development program offerings within an organization are crucial to employee job satisfaction to allow for continuous learning and growth opportunities.
Career development exposes employees to new challenges leading to increased engagement (increased job satisfaction) thus increasing company effectiveness(1). Development plans need to match employee aspirations with company needs, goals, and vision. Each individual will have different developmental needs based on their abilities and personalities. Managers should keep this in mind during development program planning and tailor development opportunities according to specific MSL needs.
Career development discussions between the MSL and manager should take place monthly or at least quarterly. SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time action) goals will provide a framework to assist the MSL to achieve developmental goals. Conversations focused on MSL career development will increase job satisfaction, engagement, a sense of fulfillment in work life, and overall wellbeing.
Reference:
Sinha (June 15, 2020). Career Development: An Enabler for Job Satisfaction, Career Development, and Job Satisfaction, Josiane Fahed-Sreih, IntechOpen, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.91683.
Author:
Delinda Bane Melvin, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CDECS
Delinda Bane Melvin is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Diabetes Education Care Specialist with biological and pharmaceutical expertise spanning over two decades. She holds a nurse practitioner license in the state of Florida. Delinda has been with Fresenius Kabi in Medical Affairs for nearly three years as the Senior Manager, Medical Science Liaison, Parenteral Nutrition Division. Previously, she was with Novo Nordisk for nearly 17 years in multiple roles. Delinda was recently selected as MSL Manager of the Year 2020 by the MSL Society. Additionally, Delinda has earned four national awards including the Education Excellence Award in 2017 and multiple Vision Awards during her pharmaceutical career for leadership, collaboration, and teamwork. Her clinical experience includes critical care and trauma at Baptist Health System, Pensacola, Florida, and preceptorships in the therapeutic area of Endocrinology at the International Diabetes Center at Park Nicollet in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida. She currently resides in Florida at Emerald Isle Farm with her husband, Stephen, their AKC golden retrievers, and AQHA/PTHA World Champion quarter horses. She is the founder and VP of Emerald Coast Equine Rescue, a Florida nonprofit corporation, and is a volunteer with Emerald Coast Golden Retriever Rescue. Delinda can be contacted directly at 850.381.1163, at delinda.bane-melvin@fresenius-kabi.com or on LinkedIn.
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