Getting social offers chance to


EX PA NDPROFESSIONAL NETWORKS A


By Keith Carlson, BSN, RN, NC-BC


s a prudent and forward-thinking 21st-century profes- sional nurse, you may choose to network and connect with other nurses and healthcare professionals on various


social media channels. If you aren’t already, this is the perfect time in your career to begin doing so. These relationships can run the gamut fromsuperficial to deeply connected, and the potential inherent in those relationships is truly beyond measure. For online connection, I highly recommend beginning with


the powerful duo of Twitter and LinkedIn. There are indeed pro- fessional nursing groups on Facebook, however, I tend to favor LinkedIn and Twitter for those who want to begin their dance within the plethora of available online nursing networks. These are the platforms where most nurses spend their time for profes- sional reasons, and the communities within those ecosystems are burgeoningwith activity and ever-deepening relationships.Once you feel comfortable and established on LinkedIn and Twitter, Facebook groups would certainly be the next logical choice.


Benefits of online networking Online networking with other nurses can greatly benefit your nursing career, and you will learn over time how this form of networking can engender serendipity, respect, collegial friendship and professional cross-pollination. If you’d like tomeet thought leaders in your particular area of


nursing specialty or practice, social media is one of the easiest places for this to happen. Most nursing thought leaders want to connectwith other nurses and professionals, thus they use social media channels to communicate with their audience. In terms of travel, moving, changing specialties, starting a


business or seeking employment, knowing and being connected to nurses and healthcare professionals in other cities, states, regions or countries can be a career-building tool of significant power. If you need an introduction, a connection at a certain facility or institution, or an employment opportunity, your robust professional network on a variety of social media platforms will help you to find someone who can assist you, or introduce you to someone who can.


Collective genius Onceyou’ve established yourself in the online nursingcommunity, one of your next steps can include taking some of those relationships to the next level bymoving themto email, phone, Skype or face-to-face meetings. A combination of online and real-life connectivity expands


your network’s collective genius. That genius is a brain trust of professionals who can assist you in growing your career. Mean- while, you then become a part of others’ networks, and you can symbiotically give back in a variety of ways.


Compass of authenticity Being acquainted online with a wide array of nurses and healthcare professionals can truly result in surprisingly potent and positive outcomes. Some relationships will by nature be more superficial, but your virtual tribe will emerge over time, and you’ll be naturally drawn to deepen certain connections. The collective genius of your network has immeasurable value


that will only truly reveal itself over time, so build that network thoughtfully, with authenticity as your compass. •


READ KEITH CARLSON’S BLOGS at Nurse.com/Blog/Nurse-Keith


KEITH CARLSON BSN, RN, NC-BC


38 NURSE.com/Careers • 2016


Keith Carlson, BSN, RN, NC-BC, Nurse.com’s career advice columnist, is the Board Certified Nurse Coach behind NurseKeith.com and the award-winning blog, Digital Doorway. Keith is co-host of RNFMRadio.com, a popular nursing podcast, and also hosts The Nurse Keith Show, his own podcast focused on career advice and inspiration for nurses. A widely published writer, Keith is the author of “Savvy Networking For Nurses: Getting Connected and Staying Connected in the 21st Century.” He brings a plethora of experience as a nursing thought leader, holistic career coach, writer and nurse entrepreneur.


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