The Nurse’s Guide to LinkedIn and Networking
Want to build a nursing network? Learn how to use LinkedIn and start connecting with other nurses. Networking is crucial for nurses, especially if you are thinking about changing your career. The right nursing network can offer you advice, connections, and introductions. Tools like LinkedIn can help you build and maintain your network. Find out how networking can benefit your career and how to avoid potential issues.
Why Is Networking Important for Nurses?
No matter how much nursing experience you have and how close you are to colleagues in your current job, having a diverse nursing network gives you access to nursing and professional advice from different perspectives.
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Valerie J. Fuchcar, BSN, RN, explains, “If you find yourself changing your career unexpectedly, a well-developed and nurtured professional network helps you stay sharp and offers support when seeking a new professional opportunity.”
Creating a Professional LinkedIn Profile For Nursing
Similar to any other career or professional development activity, what you gain from your nursing network depends on what you contribute. Make sure your online presence is as thorough and professional as your performance at work. Demonstrate how your nursing experience makes you a nurse that others want to connect with, listen to, or hire.
Networking with Other Nursings Professionally
LinkedIn Profile “Do’s”
- Convey professionalism: Select a headshot that shows your professionalism. Save casual photos for Facebook or Instagram. Fuchcar advises, “Remember that you are presenting your professional self on LinkedIn. Make sure your settings allow employers and potential connections to find you.”
- Keep your profile up to date and check it regularly: When you change jobs, responsibilities, or earn new certifications, update your network. “Maintain accurate and current information. Use a personal email address on your LinkedIn profile to ensure its validity regardless of your employment status. Check at least once a month,” Fuchcar recommends.
- Complete your entire profile: Include all your certifications and professional credentials, education, memberships, honors, and professional development activities. Some providers offer digital credentials through services like Credly, giving you a verified digital badge link.
- Build your network intentionally: Think beyond your current needs and consider what you’ll need for your next career step. Connect with people from organizations where you’d like to work, those whose advice you value, or those in roles you aspire to.
LinkedIn Profile “Don’ts”
- Avoid negativity about employers or colleagues: Even without naming names, it’s unprofessional to discuss personal or professional conflicts. At worst, it could lead to job loss or legal issues. And of course, never speak negatively about patients.
- Eliminate errors on your profile: Verify every fact and proofread carefully. It’s even better to ask a trusted friend or colleague to review your profile for mistakes. A typo might imply a lack of attention to detail, giving the wrong impression to your nursing network.
- Exclude unnecessary information: Remember, LinkedIn is for professional networking, not personal matters. Recruiters want to quickly decide whether to contact you for a position. Regularly refine your content as your nursing experience grows. Details relevant to recent graduates, like classes or projects, become irrelevant for senior roles.
- Maintain your profile: Even without updates, you can share articles, comment on posts, and reconnect with colleagues you haven’t heard from in a while. Sharing valuable or interesting articles demonstrates your commitment to professional development and sharing knowledge.
5 Strategies for Nurses to Start Building Their Network
Developing your nursing network takes time. Keep seeking new connections to expand your network and find ways to stand out.
1. Engage Regularly
“Take time to comment on your connections’ milestones, such as birthdays, work anniversaries, and promotions. These are great touchpoints and a nice time to check in, learn what’s new with your connection and their organization, and perhaps offer or ask for assistance,” notes Fuchcar. This keeps you updated about changes in your nursing network and field.
If non-nursing colleagues are in your network, you can learn about their field’s developments that might impact yours. Your nursing experience could also provide insights into their challenges.
When giving advice, ensure your tone is helpful, not condescending. Remember, both strangers and your nursing network can read your comments.
2. Foster Engagement Opportunities
Personal conversations can be as valuable, if not more, than lectures. Benefit from your diverse nursing network’s perspectives, ideas, and discussions. Share articles that encourage dialogue, such as those exploring ethics, different nursing approaches, or ideas from other fields.
Share your nursing experience when it’s relevant and helpful, and invite others to share theirs. Seeking advice shows your commitment to growth and problem-solving. Embracing diverse opinions and ideas is a sign of wisdom, not weakness.
3. Establish In-Person Connections
Start with familiar faces, like classmates, professors, conference attendees, neighbors, or friends. Prioritize building your nursing network when you begin a new position.
Here is a list of Professional Nursing Associations
Fuchcar suggests, “From day one at a new organization, connect with everyone in your onboarding group and stay connected. Introduce yourself to presenters, send LinkedIn invitations, or follow them on Twitter.” Once you have a network of acquaintances, it becomes easier to connect with those you’d like to know.
4. Share Personal Stories
Storytelling is part of human nature. Use stories to share your personal or nursing experience overcoming challenges or solving problems. This approach engages your audience more than simply stating what you learned.
However, when telling stories, ensure you share credit for success with those deserving. Omitting colleagues from a story or taking credit for their achievements could damage trust and respect. Additionally, ensure your story contributes something meaningful and isn’t presented haphazardly.
5. Participate in Nursing Groups and Organizations
Joining a local or specialized nursing association enriches your nursing network and knowledge. If unsure which associations are beneficial, ask colleagues in your field or region. Professional role models’ LinkedIn profiles often list their memberships.
Attend professional meetings, whether in-person or online. If you’re new and attending alone, starting conversations by mentioning your new status can facilitate connections. Ask others about their favorite aspects of the association or their expectations from the meeting or conference.
Start Connecting
Networking requires effort. Cultivate your network through initial investment and ongoing care. Use the insights from this guide to begin your network or reinvigorate it if you haven’t fully utilized the opportunity.
Fuchcar emphasizes, “Networking should start in school and continue throughout your life. You meet new people constantly. Make an effort to take an interest in them and stay connected.” Your nursing network may hold the solution to your career or professional challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Networking
Is LinkedIn useful for nurses?
LinkedIn is an excellent platform to stay connected with colleagues, learn from their experiences, share your insights, follow emerging trends, and prepare for your next career step. A diverse network, both within and outside nursing, enriches your perspectives and knowledge.
How do I write a LinkedIn summary for nursing?
Your LinkedIn summary should reflect your passion, current role, and aspirations. Express pride in your work without bragging or making false claims. If job hunting, demonstrate your potential contributions to an organization.
How can I add my RN license to LinkedIn?
LinkedIn has a tool for adding professional credentials. Access your profile and select Edit Profile. Choose Add Sections, then Certifications. Enter details, including the licensing authority (state nursing board) and license number. Click Add Certification to save.
What nursing skills should I include on my resume?
Examine job descriptions for roles you’re interested in. Incorporate skills
from your nursing experience and credentials. Highlight how you impacted patients or organizations. Instead of just stating you’re “organized,” explain how you used organizational skills to enhance your workplace, indicating time or cost savings.
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