As the pandemic advances, nurses and healthcare professionals continue to experience negative mental health outcomes and decreased job satisfaction due to increased workloads and higher acuity levels. Globally, healthcare workers have protested and walked out over poor working conditions.
Nurses today are experiencing higher rates of burnout and job dissatisfaction than ever before. The need to care for those who are caring for our most vulnerable has never been greater. So much so, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory for healthcare facilities and leaders on the importance of health worker well being.
One way to combat the effects of the pandemic is to build and form a caring nursing community. One that fosters a future-focused and collaborative mindset that drives innovation. In this article, we will discuss the many benefits of building a supportive community for yourself, and show you a step-by-step outline for how to do so.
What is a Nursing Community?
By definition, a community is a group of people who share a common characteristic. In a more nursing specific community, nurses and healthcare professionals all work towards a common goal.
It’s important to remember that this is your career path and it can look anyway you want it to. There is no wrong way to build your network. It is a place for you to learn and grow with others of a similar background. It offers a separate space that emphasizes support for the unique challenges nurses face.
Why Community Matters?
As humans, we’re social creatures. Even with communication at our fingertips, it’s easy to feel alone. In the absence of meaningful human interaction, it’s easy to feel isolated.
Healthcare is a stressful work environment and human connection is at the center of all of us. There are many documented mental health benefits to having a sense of belonging and support because of the nature of the healthcare environment it’s essential you have a support system that works for you.
Types of Community
There are many types of social networks designed for healthcare professionals, including online and in-person groups. It is not uncommon for communities to combine both. Whether you attend an in-person or online event, the same principles apply.
Thanks to the internet, it has never been easier or more convenient to connect with others. With online groups, networking happens from anywhere. From the comfort of your own home, you can take part in workshops and conference events.
Online communities enable you to connect with people from all over the world. Providing different perspectives and solutions. Healthcare is a complex topic and input from all across the globe is a valuable asset.
Benefits of Community
There are many benefits to building a community for yourself. Here are a few examples:
● Sense of belonging
● Support system
● Increased resilience
● Personal growth
● Career advancement
Being part of a larger community can inspire and empower you to create the career path that’s right for you. Through a social network it is possible to work collaboratively to create and inspire change around you. The quality of the connections you build will pave the way for the future of your nursing career.
How to Build a Nursing Community
There are many ways to build a network, and what works for you might not work for someone else. As you get started, keep an open mind and see what you gravitate toward. The point is to create a positive environment that allows you to thrive. Whatever that looks like for you.
Let’s take a quick look at how you can set up and thrive in your network of healthcare professionals.
Step 1: Determine Your Goals
To ensure that you get the most out of your time and effort, think about what it is you hope to gain by networking.
Do you want to see what other options are out there? Or do you have a more specific milestone in mind? In case you’re feeling stuck, this article here is a good place to start.
The reason you should start with your goals is that they will help you decide how to best achieve them. If you decide what you want from your interactions with others, you can more easily focus your efforts.
Step 2: Decide Your Strategy
The next step is to come up with a plan. When you are strategic, you will see the benefits of your efforts sooner. The strategy you come up with will depend on the goals you decide for yourself in the previous step.
Let’s say you work in a rural area of the U.S. and want to learn about the resources available to your patients. It might be a good idea to spend most of your time networking at local events. Thus, you can establish deeper relationships with local healthcare professionals.
But, let’s say this is your first nursing job and you want to explore your options nationwide. You might be better off online. There, you can interact with recruiters and discover what options you have that match your experience level. Platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn can be useful in this scenario.
Step 3: Commit to Your Goals
This is an important step to consider as you grow your network. There will be many awkward moments along the way. Meeting new people pushes many people outside of their comfort zone. It’s important to focus on the bigger picture of the end goal.
Step 4: Build relationships
This is the most important step when you want to get your foot in the door. Share your career goals and aspirations with one another to see if there is any way you can help. You never know what connections or information someone might have.
It may seem awkward at first, but with time it becomes more natural. Interacting with new people will help you maintain and create a sense of community. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and see what happens.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Nursing Community
After you’ve created a system for ensuring effective participation, you can focus on getting the most out of each interaction. The point of building relationships is to assist each other in achieving your goals. Since we all want something different, it is never a competition. The value of a community lies in its collaborative nature.
Keep in mind that this is your career. There is a high demand for nursing skills, and you have control over the direction of your professional life.
The process of building a nursing community does not happen overnight. Start building a new relationship now with someone who may be able to assist you. You never know when you may need a new opportunity or change of pace. Having a thriving community gives your career flexibility for the future.
By not investing in building a nursing community, you may be preventing yourself from connecting with someone who could change their career trajectory.
Join Our Growing Nursing Community
Healthcare has more opportunities than ever before, whether you’re looking for a new job or want to change career paths all together. One of the best ways to ensure your nursing career’s longevity is to find a position that is suited to your needs.
America Needs Nurses is an online platform that connects nurses with their dream jobs. As a growing community of nurses, we are committed to ensuring a thriving healthcare system for patients and practitioners. Sign up here to join a growing community of nurses who want to network and find their next opportunity delivered to their inbox.
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Support for nurses is needed more than ever, explore the importance of building a nursing community for yourself and get a step-by-step guide to building one.
