Utilize Social Media: Build Your Professional Nursing Network Online

by | Apr 23, 2015 | 10 comments

Last month I wrote about social media and how to leverage the power of the internet to improve your nursing career. In addition to the sharing your knowledge and resources with patients to showcase you as an expert and having some fun online, I discussed building a professional network.

In today’s post I’d like to take that concept a bit further.

Utilize Social Media: Build Your Professional Nursing Network Online #nursingfromwithinThink about your nursing career. Where are you right now? Where would you like to be three months from now? Six months from now? A year from now? Even five years from now? Do you see yourself growing, advancing and moving further in your nursing career?

If you have any desire to climb the clinical ladder in nursing, to achieve a leadership role as a nurse professional, or to teach/mentor/precept nursing students, new nursing graduates, or nurse colleagues- you’re going to have to branch out.

We live in the digital age of technology. Information is at our fingertips. Competition is fierce and people want you to help them NOW. Results need to be tangible and data is important to provide proof of cost containment and productivity. The internet (including social media) is here to stay.

So to help you ride that wave and further your success, here are three more ways to build your nursing network online:

  1. Join an online forum, discussion group, or hangout. And when I say ‘hangout’, I don’t mean hitting up happy hour at the local watering hole. There are groups all over the internet. LinkedIn has professional discussion groups. Facebook groups are becoming popular spots for networking and referrals. Google hangouts are ways to literally connect face-to-face. In order to grow your professional community, you’ve got to carve some time away to hang out online.
  2. Become a resource. Sure, you can teach in a classroom. You can present a workshop or give a lecture. But can you do this virtually? Have you mastered the art of talking to your computer screen as if there was a room of 200 nurses learning from you? Share information online in a way that works for you. Start a blog. Set up a podcast. Circulate articles in those discussion groups mentioned above. Position yourself as an expert by sharing content online.
  3. Refer, share, introduce and offer. Be a solution to somebody else’s problem. Offer an introduction between two like-minded colleagues. Share resources and offer to promote your colleagues content online. The more you can share, network, and collaborate with others- the more your own professional network will grow. I’ve noticed that the nursing profession has historically been quite competitive. My belief around this is that nurses have traditionally held a lack mentality. Be the change agent in your group. Sharing is caring and will really help your reach grow. It’s not about competition- that doesn’t even exist. Collaborate as an abundant giver of information and you will receive tenfold.

I’d like to introduce you to three of my nursing colleagues who are experts on the topic of growing your professional network online.

Cynthia Saver Speaks to the Promises and Pitfalls of Social Media

Jennifer Mensik Shares Innovative Ways to Grow Your Reach Online

Carmen Saunders Brings Us Back to the Basics of LinkedIn

What would you add to these three tips? How have you grown your professional network online? Thanks for reading and leave a comment below.

About the Author: As a speaker, workshop facilitator, and Reiki Master, Elizabeth partners with hospitals, organizations, associations, and nursing groups to help transform the field of nursing from the inside out. As the  host of the Your Next Shift Workshop, Elizabeth guides nurses and nursing students to a change in perspective, helping them make the inner shift needed to better maneuver the sometimes challenging realities of being a caregiver.

10 Comments

  1. Donna Maheady

    Elizabeth, This is excellent information! I will be sharing widely with nurses with disabilities
    (www.ExceptionalNurse.com) who are eager to move in new directions.

    Nurses with disabilities often have years of experience and abundant knowledge. Moving into social media could be the door to new opportunities beyond bedside nursing.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      Great, Donna. I am so glad that you have found it helpful and will be sharing with your tribe. You are right on- moving into social media could be a great avenue… for them, and anyone! Enjoy the day. -Elizabeth

      Reply
  2. Dr Rachel Silva, DNP

    Elizabeth, you continue to inspire me! And, speaking of social media, I’m thankful we connected through LinkedIn. Nurses such as yourself impact the nursing profession with the collaborative efforts used through online discussions/forums, being a resource for others, and sharing other nurse’s contributions. I can’t wait to participate in your virtual conference during nurse’s week, The Art of Nursing. We all can definitely make a difference with our own individual personalized contributions professionally and through sharing the content created or curated by colleagues.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      Rachel, Thank you for the kind comments. I appreciate your feedback and am glad you see the benefit in collaborating online. I too am so glad to have met you on LinkedIn as well. Enjoy the day, Elizabeth

      Reply
  3. mnosuna

    This is excellent, Elizabeth! Will definitely be utilizing your tips. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      Thank you so much, Nurse Mo. I am glad to hear you will be sharing. Enjoy the day, Elizabeth

      Reply
  4. Joan @ TheNurseTeacher.com

    Although most use social media, they often forget its power for their careers also. As always, great, tangible resources to put in place immediately! Thanks again for sharing your own network!!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      Thank you so much, Joan. I agree. We use social media for fun- but we can also use it for work! Great insight. Thanks for reading and sharing. Enjoy the day, Elizabeth

      Reply
  5. Shawny

    Thank you! This was very informative. I plan to apply what I learned from this.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      You are so welcome. I am glad that you enjoyed the post, Shawny. Thank you for taking the time to share the feedback. Enjoy the day! -Elizabeth

      Reply

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