It is no secret that networking can help establish relationships with like-minded people and lead to professional development.
Networking is essential for creating strong and meaningful relationships in almost every aspect of life. Not only this, but studies show that effective professional networking in nursing can foster relationships that support collaborative research, policy activism, and evidence-based practice.
When it comes to professional networking in nursing, effective networking is the key to opening new doors that can help nurses improve their career prospects. At the same time, professional networking in healthcare—like attending nursing conferences and seminars—can set nurses up for success by helping them gain valuable insights about the latest trends and best practices in nursing.
Want to learn more? Keep reading for some insider knowledge on creating a robust professional network as a nurse.
What Is Professional Networking?
Effective professional networking involves engaging with others, building rapport, and maintaining relationships over time. The Collins English Dictionary divides the phrase professional networking into two parts, which are defined as follows:
Professional: relating to a person's work, especially one that requires special training
Networking: trying to meet new people who might be helpful to you in your job, often through social activities
Research shows that networking behaviors can be considered proactive steps toward accessing career-related social resources. In other words, a networking individual will act to create, preserve, and acquire professional relationships with people they can consult for guidance or assistance.
These networking behaviors can range from going out to a cafe with colleagues to seeking formal mentorship in nursing. Professional networking aims to establish mutually beneficial relationships that can lead to various benefits.
What Are The Types of Networking?
Business experts can classify professional networks into three categories: operational, personal, and strategic. Although all three networking categories can cooperate simultaneously, each has a distinct purpose.
The three different kinds of networks that a nurse needs to grow in their career are broken down here:
Operational Networking
This type of networking focuses on building relationships with individuals within a nurse’s immediate work environment. Nurses can be proactive in operational networking by connecting with colleagues, supervisors, and other healthcare professionals.
Operational networking can help you feel supported in your day-to-day work responsibilities. For example, a nurse with a strong working relationship with colleagues and supervisors may feel more inclined to share knowledge, collaborate on projects, or seek advice when job-related questions arise.
Strategic Networking
This type of networking focuses on building relationships with leaders in the industry who hold key positions. A nurse can network strategically by attending industry conferences, joining professional associations, and connecting with industry leaders or decision-makers.
Strategic networking aims to connect with influential people who can offer opportunities, information, or insight that align with your personal objectives—for example, building trusting relationships with people or nursing associations and organizations with whom you’d like to work.
Personal Networking
This type of network focuses on building relationships with individuals outside the nurse’s work environment. In personal networking, nurses can focus on tighter bonds with friends, family members, acquaintances, and people from different professional backgrounds.
Personal networking can help you feel supported and valued outside of your professional environment. Personal networking can also give you a broader perspective and potential opportunities outside your field. Personal networking also contributes to personal growth and development.
What Are the Advantages of Networking in Nursing?
Professional networking in healthcare offers numerous advantages. However, some of the most significant benefits of having a solid network in nursing include the following:
- Collaboration: Building relationships with other nurses, whether in the same specialty or different practice areas, allows nurses to collaborate on projects, share best clinical practices, and seek advice or support when necessary.
- Support: Similar to collaboration, having a professional and professional support system can help nurses feel empowered when making important decisions. One of the benefits of networking is for a nurse to reach out and ask questions if they need clarification on the job.
- Access to resources: Networking also allows nurses to benefit from their peers' collective knowledge and expertise. Access to resources may include direct access to research findings, evidence-based practices, and professional development resources.
- Advocacy: Networking provides a platform for nurses to amplify their voices, influence policy change, and address common challenges within the nursing sector. Similarly, advocacy that comes from networking can empower nurses to bring positive change into their work environment.
- Career advancement: One of the top advantages of networking in nursing is the potential for career advancement. By networking, nurses can find new job opportunities and build relationships with recruiters, employers, and colleagues who may be able to let them know about openings.
Opportunities for Networking in the Nursing Field
Nursing is a robust field that offers plenty of room to establish valuable connections and network with a purpose. Attending conferences, workshops, and seminars are just a few ways to stay up-to-date with industry trends. If you are a nurse looking to expand your network, here are the best ways to do so:
Day-to-Day Work
Networking doesn't always mean rubbing elbows and sharing business cards. Building relationships at your facility can be an excellent way to gradually create lifelong friendships and connections, opening up opportunities and motivating you to be the best nurse you can be.
If you want to expand your network, you could consider working as a PRN nurse. PRN nurses pick up individual shifts at different facilities based on their short-term staffing needs. This can help you familiarize yourself with new facilities and expand the amount of healthcare professionals you interact with on a daily basis.
Nursa is a platform where certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs) can get hired one shift at a time to any facility in need. Working as a PRN nurse can help you build a strong network of professional connections in a short amount of time.
Nursing Conferences and Networking Events
Attending local, regional, and national conferences and workshops related to nursing can help you engage in effective professional networking.
These events often provide networking opportunities where you can meet and connect with other nurses, educators, researchers, and leaders in the field. In addition, a nurse may participate in continuing education programs, workshops, and seminars to connect with other like-minded healthcare professionals looking to expand their knowledge and skill base.
Join Associations or an Industry Community
Joining nursing associations and participating in online forums or discussion groups can further expand networking opportunities, facilitating the exchange of ideas and fostering professional growth. This networking may also involve joining nursing associations and organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA), the National League for Nursing (NLN), or various nursing organizations, allowing nurses to establish meaningful professional relationships. Finally, a nurse may choose to share their voice and be active on social media by joining Facebook groups, Instagram, or community and online forums, all of which can be helpful tools for networking.
Tips to Start Building a Professional Network as a Nurse
Whether you are an experienced nurse with many years of experience or just starting your nursing career, networking is essential. Here are a few quick tips and several effective ways to engage in professional networking in the nursing field:
Be Interested in Others and Ask Questions
As a nurse, don't be afraid to ask questions. When it comes to nursing, asking questions demonstrates curiosity and a desire to gain knowledge and clarity about your profession. One example is to ask nursing colleagues to share their expertise on a specific topic or case related to on-site job experiences. Questions can give you the insight and answers to perform your job as a nurse better.
Create an Elevator Pitch for Yourself
An elevator pitch is a brief introduction to yourself that is usually verbal and lasts less than 30 seconds. It is used to connect with another person. For example, a nurse may develop a brief pitch that communicates who they are, what they are looking for, and how they can benefit a company as a nurse. An elevator pitch aims to get someone's attention and start a meaningful conversation.
Look for Ways to Help Others
When networking as a nurse, listening to other people's advice is just as important as sharing your own. For example, if you are starting a new nursing job, you can be proactive and offer assistance by cleaning up workspaces or lending a helping hand where needed.
Focusing on helping others allows you to make meaningful connections that will help you advance professionally. Also, prioritize quality over quantity. In other words, as a nurse, try to form a few meaningful relationships at work rather than spreading yourself too thin.
Be Prepared for Formal Networking Events
When attending formal networking events; a nurse should come prepared with business cards or other contact information to exchange with potential connections. Also, "dressing the part" or dressing appropriately is essential to making an excellent first impression when meeting other professionals in the field.
Follow up: Stay in Touch With Your Network
Networking in nursing involves being proactive and dedicated and following up on the connections you make during the process. For this reason, staying in touch with your network is essential once you have established a strong foundation of connections. Examples of following up with your network may involve:
- Sending follow-up texts
- Staying active on community forums
- Setting up an outing to meet with your network
Whatever method you choose to stay in touch with your network, make sure it's impactful, consistent, and thoughtful.
Start Building Your Own Community Network
Building a network in nursing requires active participation, genuine concern for others, and consistent effort. However, once you've made a strong network, you'll realize how valuable it is to your professional and personal development.
Networking in nursing is the key to developing long-term relationships you can rely on for the future. Furthermore, you can stay confident as a nurse and consistently surpass your goals by aiming to surround yourself with robust and influential people in the healthcare realm.
Are you a nurse seeking to broaden your network? Learn how PRN nurses improve patient care and expand their network by connecting and filling shifts at local facilities.
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