A Spiral of Transitions Leading to Broader Influence and Action

This article describes lessons learned through a reflective analysis of job transitions experienced by a registered nurse from the time of entry into the profession until the current point where the nurse is engaged in state, national, and international policy development work. The centrality and symbiotic nature of the link between policy and practice and the importance of evidence and leadership have emerged as key aspects of the expanding spiral of influence traversed as a result of various career moves. At every stage, lessons have been learned. Some of these are professional in nature, but on occasion, the lessons have been more personal. The importance of mentors cannot be underestimated in terms of the support and guidance they offer but also the challenges they bring to existing patterns of thought and behavior.