THE WOMAN BEHIND READY NOW
Meet Karla Dawkins
Executive Nurse Leader | Career Strategist | Founder of Ready Now Career Coaching LLC
For more than 26 years, nursing has given me a front-row seat to how careers grow, shift, stall, and begin again. Across 18+ years in leadership and executive leadership, I’ve helped nurses recognize their value, strengthen how they position themselves, and make more intentional career decisions.
Today, that experience is at the heart of Ready Now Career Coaching. My work now is to help nurses get clear about what they want next—and build a strategy for moving toward it with confidence and intention.
MY CAREER JOURNEY
From Bedside to Boardroom
My nursing career began at the bedside and grew one intentional step at a time—from CNA to LPN, RN, nursing leadership, operations, and executive leadership. Each transition taught me something different about building credibility, communicating value, navigating opportunity, and preparing for what comes next.
Today, I bring those lessons into my work with nurses who are ready to make their own intentional career move.
CNA
LPN
RN
Assistant Nurse Manager
Nursing Operations Manager
Patient Care Administrator
Associate Chief Nursing Officer
26+ years in nursing | 18+ years in leadership and executive leadership
Warm & Honest
A supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can talk candidly about what you want, what feels uncertain, and what may be holding you back.
How I Coach
Strategy with Heart. Guidance Grounded in Experience.
Practical & Strategic
We move beyond general career advice to clear, actionable steps that align with your goals, strengths, and next move.
Real-World Perspective
My guidance is grounded in 26+ years in nursing and 18+ years in leadership and executive leadership—giving me perspective from both sides of career decisions: the candidate and the hiring leader.
EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS
Experience That Grounds the Work
“These credentials matter—but what matters most to me is using them to open doors for you.” — Karla Dawkins, Founder, Ready Now Career Coaching LLC
26+
Years in Nursing
18+
Years in Leadership & Executive Leadership
MBA + MSN
Business & Nursing Leadership Education
NE-BC
Nurse Executive, Board-Certified
Strategic Leadership
More than 18 years of leadership and executive leadership experience guiding teams, leading change, and driving organizational performance across complex healthcare environments.
Mentorship & Career Development
A demonstrated history of mentoring and coaching nurses and emerging leaders as they strengthen their professional positioning, pursue advancement, and make intentional career decisions.
Ready to Make Your Next Move Intentional?
You don’t need to have every answer before you take the next step. Whether you’re considering leadership, a specialty change, advancement, a career pivot, or simply know it’s time for something different, we can start by getting clear about where you are and what you want next.
The Career Clarity Call gives you space to talk through what you’re considering, get clearer about what you want next, and identify what may help you move forward.
Complimentary 20-minute conversation