Networking Tips for Busy Nurses

Let’s face it: When you work in nursing, it can be hard to think about your career’s future while also balancing the stress of your daily job. In fact, networking and other concerns of the career driven are probably the last things on your mind at the end of a difficult shift.

Fortunately, you don’t have to go at it alone. Just as you rely on your fellow nurses, aides and other clinicians during each shift, your professional network can be there to support you along your career path. In fact, building a wide-reaching professional network may be the best strategy to ease your way in nursing. If networking still seems like a mystery to you, here’s how (and why) you should start today.

Networking Is How Nurses Grow

A professional network is about more than just climbing the ladder, though it can certainly help you land a great job (but we’ll get to that later). Forming relationships with diverse healthcare workers will broaden your viewpoints and expose you to new insights into your profession. By conversing with other RNs – whether in person or online – you can learn how things work at other facilities, which may even allow you to effect change at your workplace. In addition, you’ll develop a sense of camaraderie that will carry you through hard moments at work.

How to Start Your Network

Though the word “networking” in a business context has gained popularity in recent years, the concept is as old as human interaction itself. In fact, simply by entering the nursing field, you already have formed a network of fellow students, co-workers and supervisors. Expanding your network starts as simply as developing deeper connections with people you already know.

As you learn to rely on your peers, you will be more comfortable reaching out to establish new connections with others. Starting with some of your closest peers, for example, you could plan to attend a conference or seminar on your days off. This will give you a chance to connect with others in a professional but relaxed setting.

Choose Quality Over Quantity

Though responding to every friend request and LinkedIn invitation will rapidly connect you with hundreds – if not thousands – of other nurses, such a strategy may do more harm than good. Not only will it be a drain on your resources (many spend hours each day lost in their social networks), but some of your peers will be turned off by the shallowness of your interactions. Whether at work, a live event, or online, it’s better to dedicate your time to forming quality bonds with relatively few people than crafting an endless list of acquaintances. Only friends that know you well will be able to support you in your present and future career.

Expert Staffing would like to be a part of your network!

Our talented recruiters have the expertise you need to advance your career and find satisfying job opportunities within your chosen specialty. Whether you are looking for a part-time, permanent, or travel nursing position, contact us today to learn more about your options.