Navigating the first few years as an early-career genomic nurse investigator can be arduous, confusing, and lonely. Gain perspective and direction by charting your unique path at the International Society of Nurses in Genetics Pre-Congress session, “Deal or No Deal? Navigating Your Path as an Early-Career Investigator”. Divided into three panels, this 3-hour session is geared towards genomic nurse investigators at the predoctoral, postdoctoral, and early-career faculty level. It features guided and open discussion with a panel of genomic nurse investigators who are completing their training, are early in their faculty positions, or are involved in hiring decisions at academic research institutions.

Session objectives:

• Identify various career paths and early-career considerations for genomic nurse investigators and faculty
• Discuss strategies to secure a postdoc/faculty position
• Outline your own strategic plan for success as an early-career investigator

First Panel Discussion – Predoc/Postdoc

• Identify various types of postdoc positions/programs (place-bound positions are possible!)
• Share strategies to identify positions that suit specific career needs
• Map out what the “career of your dreams” looks like

Second Panel Discussion – Important Considerations for Early-Career Success

• Share insights to strategically building your CV
• Share negotiation considerations and pointers
• Discuss important considerations for success in the first few years of a job

Third Panel Discussion – Building Resilience

• Define and discuss resilience
• Discuss the importance of setting firm and clear boundaries
• Introduce methods to build resilience