Here's how you can bounce back and maintain a positive mindset after a layoff in Patient Advocacy.
Losing your job in patient advocacy can be a challenging experience, but it's also an opportunity to reassess your career path and grow professionally. Patient advocates work to ensure that patients' rights are respected and their voices are heard in healthcare settings. A layoff, while difficult, doesn't diminish the value of your skills or your passion for advocacy. By adopting a positive mindset and proactive approach, you can turn this setback into a stepping stone for future success. It's important to remember that your expertise in navigating healthcare systems, communicating with medical professionals, and supporting patients is both unique and in demand.
After a layoff, it's crucial to give yourself time to reflect. Think about your journey in patient advocacy, the skills you've honed, and the accomplishments you're proud of. This isn't just about reminiscing; it's about recognizing your value and understanding what you bring to the table. Reflection can also help you identify areas you'd like to improve or new directions you might want to explore. By doing so, you create a foundation for personal growth and a clearer vision for your next steps.
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Network and Seek Support Reach out to your professional network, former colleagues, and mentors for support and guidance. Networking can help you discover new opportunities, gain insights into the industry, and receive emotional support during this transition period.
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Aside from updating your already stellar resume, take this time to reflect on your own journey as to how far you’ve come. Write it in a journal. Nothing is more powerful than reflecting on your own personal journey because it helps you see the fact that setbacks are in fact part of that journey. The experiences you’ve gathered, the skills you’ve learned, the failures and successes that make and mold you for who you’ve become is all part of that journey. Another part of this journey is also being able to manifest—manifest the heck out of the future life that you now will have the chance to restart and rebuild again. Nothing speaks more powerful to the mind than positive manifestations.
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Acknowledge Emotions: Instead of just "reflect deeply," acknowledge the range of emotions someone might be feeling after a layoff, such as sadness, anger, or uncertainty. Specific prompts: Provide specific prompts to guide this reflection. These could be questions like "What are my strengths and skills that would be valuable in a new role?" or "What are my passions within patient advocacy?" Positive Self-Talk: Encourage positive self-talk to counter negative thoughts. Phrases like "This is a temporary setback" or "I have the skills and experience to succeed" can be helpful.
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Be aware of your emotions and yourself time to process the layoff. It's natural to feel a range of emotions, from shock and sadness to anger and anxiety.
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Embrace Change A layoff can be a significant change that might feel daunting at first. Embracing change as an opportunity for growth and new beginnings can help you maintain a positive mindset. Consider how you can adapt your skills and experience to new opportunities in patient advocacy or related fields.
Your resume is your personal advocate; make sure it speaks volumes about your skills and experiences in patient advocacy. Update it with any recent achievements or certifications. Tailor it to highlight the unique expertise you've gained, such as your ability to navigate complex healthcare systems, communicate with diverse stakeholders, and support patient rights. A strong resume acts as a confidence booster and is a practical step towards your next career move.
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At the time of termination and the emotional stress that induces it is easy to forget to ask for referrals or permissions to use reference to company or contacts in resume. These need to be obtained. Your resume is your passport to your next destination. So make sure it reflects your current skills and achievements. I have found that it helps to customise it each time to reflect the requirements of the job description. So having template and then updated list of all skills, work history, achievements, current referees enables me to do this. Also getting feedback from an outside source is helpful whether this is a professional resume writer or a work colleague, this enables a perspective of the employer.
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Make sure your career reflects your resume, references, & list of employers/contacts so it is always updated for your professional work experience purposes.
Networking is key in the patient advocacy field. Reach out to former colleagues, join professional groups, and attend industry events. Engaging with your network can provide emotional support, new insights, and potential job leads. Remember, your relationships in the healthcare community are invaluable; they can open doors to opportunities that might not be publicly advertised.
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We always hear about networking and sometimes don’t realize the connections we have made whether in business or personal. Connecting with former classmates, coworkers, and even neighbors will help expand your network in so many ways
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Joining a network of professionals is a good way of learning from others who have mastered the skills and techniques of patient advocacy. Learning the art of storytelling from other peers and mentors is an excellent way to brush up on your patient advocacy skills. Besides, practicing the art of effective communication with other team members and patients while advocating for them at clinical meetings and courts and setting goals for daily living can be done by joining a professional network of peer support workers. It's a good opportunity to attend conferences like last year's front-line workers' conference, which was hosted in Gold Coast, Australia. The conference showcased many trainings, challenges, and supports for front-line workers.
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Networking after termination can be daunting, I would suggest that you take the time to process the emotions before engaging. Networking can start with the feedback that you gain from the company regarding your performance and the reflection on that. By you providing a ‘handover’ on your patients/clients as to continue service as you are leaving they are not. This maintains a professional relationship and reputation. Take the opportunity then to approach the services you have been collaborating with and let them know of your status. Contact friends and colleagues as the old saying goes ‘ it is often not what you know but who you know’ . Use the resources available to you such as linkedin, Seek etc as this opens up to a wider audience.
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Networking is key to learning and opening up your mind to new thinking and new ideas and innovation, especially in patient advocacy.
The healthcare landscape is ever-changing, and so should be your knowledge base. Use this time to learn new aspects of patient advocacy or to deepen your understanding of areas you're already familiar with. Whether it's taking online courses, attending webinars, or reading up on the latest healthcare policies, continuous learning will keep you sharp and make you a more attractive candidate for future roles.
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Always continue to learn. Growth, development and change for the better happens with furthering ones educational career goals.
Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial during this period. Practice self-care, set daily goals, and celebrate small victories. Staying positive doesn't mean ignoring the emotional impact of a layoff; it means managing your emotions constructively. Remember, your attitude can greatly influence how quickly you bounce back and how effectively you seize new opportunities.
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layoff in patient advocacy can be tough, but use it as an opportunity to recharge, reflect, and refocus on your passion for advocacy, emerging stronger and more resilient.
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One thing that I have found helpful is keeping positive outlook even in the face of adversity. While it is difficult when you lose a job for any reason, it can be viewed as a new opportunity to grow. Own the feelings of fear and disappointment and even sadness and then put those into a positive action to move forward
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To bounce back and maintain a positive mindset after a layoff in Patient Advocacy the number one thing to do is to reflect deeply on your experiences to identify strengths and areas for growth, and stay positive by focusing on future opportunities while continuously learning new skills. Embrace this period as a bedroom for self-improvement, where you can rest, rejuvenate, and emerge stronger for the next chapter in your career.
Consider volunteering your patient advocacy skills with non-profits or healthcare organizations. Volunteering can fill gaps in your resume, provide valuable networking opportunities, and reaffirm the passion that drew you to this field. It's also a chance to make a meaningful difference while searching for your next paid role, keeping your spirits high and your skills sharp.
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Volunteering not only looks good on your resume but it is wonderful for your well being and soul. You will meet many different people and different challenges they face. It is also a great way to delve into areas you may have not considered previously.
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I once heard that sometimes your bad luck has saved you from a much... much... worse bad luck. So when I "think" something has gone wrong... I just keep going.
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A Patient Advocate who is laid off from a place of employment should consider becoming an Independent Advocate. Yes, there are benefits and risks involved but consider these facts. You have through that employer received on the job training and increased your key skill knowledge. There are always patients who need assistance. The virtual job space allows you to be in one region while your patient lives in another. You no longer have to worry about providing limited options for the patient to choose from. The networking opportunities that are available for an Independent Advocate are phenomenal and definitely help with your growth. I opine that a Patient Advocate is never truly laid off unless they want to be.
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After layoffs it’s important to reflect on your skills and areas of improvement. Update your resume and linkedin account highlighting patients advocacy experiences. Stay updated with news in your industry relevant to patients advocacy. Network effectively with like minded individuals. Stay positive and believe that persistence is a key.
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One thing I have found to be helpful is the power of positivity. It almost seems like a force field that attracts the right energy and people to you. It's never a good news when one is laid off work, but there is always a need that has to be met elsewhere, and you might just be the right person for that spot. I would recommend the follow; 1. Reflect on your work and point out the areas that needs tightening. 2. Put yourself together and acquire more knowledge and skills that will make you wanted or sort after. 3. Grow your network. A lot of us have strong networks that we built without even realizing that we were building them. Reach in and connect. 4. Offer to volunteer, as it builds your network, resume and gives you opportunities.
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