Irrespective of the career path one may take in the nursing job market today, it’s important to be great at networking. When someone attempts to answer the question, “why is networking important for nurses?” The answer would include the following pointers. Firstly, there would be way more job opportunities for those nurses who know how to network. Secondly, one easily can get so much value through face-to-face interaction, more so than any online community. Thirdly, when like-minded people interact with each other, they could gain insights into how their field is evolving. Finally, the most important benefit of building a professional network is the opportunities it could bring for the individual’s career advancement.

So, how could nurses network effectively? Here, we have gathered the best possible tips for nurses to get their foot in the door.

Where to Start?

The easiest way for nurses to start their networking journey beyond the people they already know at work is to become a member of professional nursing associations. Today, there are several associations available, including the ones for nursing students, local nursing organizations, and the ones for specific nursing specialties. If anyone is unsure about which group to join, she or he can ask their colleagues or their professors for the recommendations.

Basically, the goal here is to join at least some organizations that are in line with their current nursing status and their career aspirations. By joining these organizations, nurses would get a chance to attend both formal and informal events. Many organizations also provide some virtual chat opportunities and message boards so as to help the nurses to know about each other. Sometimes, the nurses may also get discounts on seminars and courses on continuing education.

Attending Conferences:

As nurses try to build their professional network, they must consider attending conferences too. Here, they will find nurses who are available to talk and will be answering their questions about the field. These things are nearly impossible otherwise. Therefore, nurses are advised to research online and get to know about the conferences that are happening near their place and try to attend the ones that can benefit them the most. While being present in these conferences, nurses should try to converse with the other professionals to express their interests and skills. Also, they should not forget to share their contact information with other professionals and get theirs. It’s a good idea to have a pack of their business cards with name and contact information while going to these conferences.

Being Social:

Yes, of course, nursing is a tiresome job and is really time-consuming. However, it’s equally important for nurses to make some time to bond with their coworkers outside the job too. In this line, one can consider some travel plans or just lunch/drinks. These are the best ways to get to know coworkers better. In a new location, these activities will also help understand the culture of the region well, when at the same time giving room for some enjoyments. Moreover, nurses can gain more insight on some things that are needed in terms of healthcare and how people of that region will respond to certain things. By engaging in social activities like these, it will help broaden the horizon not only professionally but also personally.

Getting the most out of Social Media:

While it’s true that face-to-face interactions will pave the way for the best professional networking, today social media sites are also doing a good job. More particularly, social media sites like LinkedIn could act as a powerful networking tool when face-to-face interactions are not as possible. For this to be effective, nurses must practice to keep their online profiles complete and updated with the most recent accomplishments, as well as certifications. The nurses should try to connect with all the people right from their nursing friends to the colleagues. No one knows who will lend a helping hand in their career. Also, it’s advisable to follow top healthcare organizations to get to know about their career openings and any other news.

In this, nurses should also remember that they should not keep anything in their social media accounts that they think their future recruiters should not see. It’s to be noted that several hiring managers are looking at candidates’ social media pages, particularly Facebook and Instagram, before making their hiring decision.

Understanding the Give-and-Take Magic:

When it comes to networking in the nursing field, it’s to be understood that it’s a two-way street. While it’s reasonable to look out for one’s own professional interests and aims, it’s also important to help someone in need. Whenever a nurse gets a professional request, she or he should consider it as if they need it for themselves. By this, it means that she should always remain open to whatever comes their way and be ready to provide a helping hand to others in need. This also applies to their social media accounts. A nurse should always try to maintain a good response rate and should interact with people whenever and wherever possible. Thus, it would make her a good networker and ready to take on any job opportunities that fall at their feet!