As healthcare changes, so does the state of the nursing industry. Increasing staffing shortages, heavier assignments, and sicker patients contribute to the industry’s uncertainty. When it comes to your nursing license, many things are out of your control. It is impossible to predict when you may want a change of pace or a different work environment. In the healthcare field, there is no way to predict what tomorrow will bring. Professional networking is an important tool for advancing one’s career. The purpose of this article is to show you how networking can be beneficial to your nursing career. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to start building your own connections.
What is Professional Networking?
The purpose of networking is to build relationships and connections with others. Oftentimes, these connections and relationships are invaluable for opening doors to career opportunities.
Collaboration can benefit you personally, as well as the healthcare system as a whole. Providing the best care depends on a healthcare system that communicates and works.
Depending on where you live, you may find more resources or community-organized activities in your area. In-person events are an excellent way to expand your local database of healthcare professionals.
Why is Networking Important for Nurses
Have you heard the phrase “your network is your net worth”? It refers to the idea that it matters more who you know than what you know.
Your career will benefit from networking with other professionals. Nurses play an important role in improving healthcare on the front lines. Working together, instead of against, makes the process more enjoyable and fulfilling.
Benefits of Expanding Your Professional Network
The benefits of networking can be hard to quantify. It may be easier to think of professional networking as a form of social currency. Your network can transform the way you earn money.
The best way to cope with uncertainty in the industry is to spend time interacting with others. It is invaluable to be able to connect with people who can help you reach your next milestone.
Fostering collaboration can bring several benefits, including:
● New perspectives
● Strengthened interdisciplinary relationships
● Increased opportunity for career development
● Improved patient outcomes
The biggest benefit of networking is finding different perspectives. The internet has made it easier than ever to connect with people all over the world. New perspectives lead to new ways of thinking and solving problems.
Collaboration also increases communication among multidisciplinary teams. A team’s efficiency affects the health of patients. With increased teamwork comes an increase in patient outcomes.
Ways to Network
Various forms of networking exist. In today’s digital world, social media is great for community building and collaboration. In addition to online communities and discussions, live events are also available.
Online communities can save you both time and money in commuting and travel expenses. It is a great way to interact on a schedule that works for you. Picking up your phone or logging into a video call can save you a lot of time when compared to commuting.
Conventions and conferences are great places to network with healthcare professionals and stay current on industry trends. There are also virtual alternatives to in-person events available for those who cannot attend in person.
Tips for Effective Networking
There is no wrong way to network. The most important thing is to do what works for you. Yet, be prepared to step out of your comfort zone when the time comes.
It can be awkward to get started and put yourself out there at first. It might be easier to get started with someone you already know.
Reach out to an old coworker you haven’t seen in a while and catch up over coffee. Get an update on how nursing is going for them. From the nursing communities you both already have, you may be able to help each other grow.
Try talking to a neighbor you’ve never met before and see if you have anything in common. In a short period of time, you might be surprised at how many connections you can make.
Active listening is another great skill to have when it comes to building a professional network. There are many communication techniques you can use to improve your chances of building meaningful relationships.
Read our article here where we highly the many ways you can improve your communication skills.
How Much Time Does Networking Take?
Many factors determine the answer to this question. It is ultimately up to you how you spend your time. How much or how little time you dedicate to networking is up to you.
Building meaningful relationships takes time, but the rewards will be great. Every individual has a different situation and the ability to spend their time freely. You will reap the benefits of any time you put into building your network.
Networking for Introverts
It can be overwhelming for many to network, especially introverts. Putting yourself in new situations with new people can be very draining for some. Good news: there are a few things you can do to make this process easier.
● Start small. Take it one step at a time. You don’t need to rush. It takes time to make friends and build relationships. Small steps lead to big changes. You will gain motivation by celebrating even the smallest victories.
● Create a reward system. Having a way to reward yourself is a great way to stay motivated and on track. The reward could be as simple as watching an episode of your favorite show after your next meeting.
● Practice. You can practice with a friend to see how you’d respond in real-life situations. This will allow you to build confidence in your ability to communicate the value you have to offer the healthcare system.
As we have discovered, there are many benefits to professional networking. You have the ability to put yourself in the diver’s seat of your career. Building relationships throughout your career is one way to career advancement.
There are many ways you can interact and engage with others. Social media makes it easier than ever. And many opportunities for in-person interaction exist in the healthcare field.
Whatever your level of introversion or extroversion, you can build and maintain professional relationships. Nursing communities exist all across the world. America Needs Nurses is one of them.
If you want to join a growing community of nurses across the country that places nurses where they are needed most, sign up here. Our mission is to place every nurse in their best-fitting job. No matter your education level, America Needs Nurses is an online healthcare staffing agency that works exclusively with nurses of all education levels.
