Networking in nursing is an essential skill for your future as a nurse. Build your network early and nurture it throughout your career to gain strong support, unique opportunities, and practical advice. Madonna University’s ABSN program will help launch your network with a strong foundation.
Most nursing schools offer support to their students through professors, counselors, peers, or additional resources, and you can remain part of this community after graduation. A nursing network will help guide and support you throughout your future career as a nurse. If you begin networking in nursing early, you can build your relationships, improve your skills, and increase your confidence.
Madonna’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program provides opportunities to network and make the right impression. At every step of the ABSN curriculum, you will interact with peers, faculty, and nursing professionals who can assist you in your education and in landing a nursing role.
By ensuring patience and commitment, you can build and maintain your nursing network, which will guide you throughout your career. This starts with an understanding of why your personal network is important and how to build a strong network in nursing.
Why Building a Nursing Network Matters
Although it is often overlooked, building a network provides an opportunity to improve your communication skills with peers and mentors. These relationships are the foundation for a strong support system to help you through the starts and stumbles of your early career. Tapping into the knowledge and experience of your network can guide your decisions about which job openings to pursue or educational opportunities to consider.
What Your Nursing Support System Will Look Like
Active participation in a nursing support system is a vital part of networking in nursing. The people in your support system will support one another, help you develop as a professional, support you through challenges, and advise you in important decisions. Your nursing support system may include:
- Peers who present new viewpoints and perspectives on challenges
- Mentors who guide you throughout your career path
- Professors who provide valuable advice based on experience
- Coworkers who advise you in your daily job
You can build meaningful relationships with these individuals through shared priorities, outlooks, and values. If you ever need opportunities, advice, or guidance, you will already have a community of like-minded people around you.
Do you want to become a mentor yourself? Explore the importance of leadership in nursing.
How a Nursing Network Can Boost Your Career
Your nursing network can keep you up to date on the newest research, best practices, and trends. As healthcare technology advances, nurses must remain current in their standard of care.
As your career progresses, you will be exposed to specialized field training opportunities, including pediatric, oncology, or critical care nursing. Professional development is vital for nurses, so you should take advantage of every opportunity to learn about career advancement and development strategies.
Networking Strategies for Nursing Students
Several key strategies can help you build a robust nursing network, including contacting organizations, fostering relationships with relevant people, and setting clear goals. Once you start, you will want to sustain your nursing network throughout your career. You can improve your networking by knowing what you want from your career and by being supportive of others when called upon.
Self-reflection Questions to Improve Your Networking
Networking requires time, patience, and effective communication, and is a skill that must be practiced. One way to enhance your networking skills is to ask yourself career-related questions and reflect on your answers, focusing on areas for improvement and refining your goals.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself as you begin networking in nursing:
- What professional organizations should I become a part of?
- What skills do I want to develop, and how can I cultivate these skills?
- What do I want my career to look like in two years or 10 years, and who do I need to connect with so I can properly achieve this?
- What events, discussions, volunteering opportunities, or conferences can I attend to support my professional growth?
Beginning Your Nursing Network
After reflecting on the questions above, you will be ready to begin developing your network. Starting early allows you to build long-lasting relationships and connections that you can rely on before you need them. You should reach out to a wide variety of contacts, as this will give you access to valuable feedback from multiple viewpoints. Using your answers to the self-reflection questions, introduce yourself to begin building these relationships.
Sustaining Your Nursing Network
Once you have built your nursing network, you need to sustain and maintain it by checking in periodically. Your network will be invaluable to you, so aim to return the support or mentorship you receive. Because networks are reciprocal, helping others also helps you when the time comes.
How Professional Networking Benefits Your Nursing Career
A professional nursing network will benefit your nursing career in many ways, including informing you of opportunities for professional growth. You may also attend workshops or career advancement opportunities hosted by organizations like the American Nurses Association and gain knowledge through research in general and specialized areas. An extensive network of contacts and connections will allow you to share groundbreaking studies, news, and experiences.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the nursing workforce will add 166,100 new roles by 2034, in addition to replacing workforce members who retire or leave. Nursing is and will continue to be a stable and rewarding career. A professional network will make your career in nursing even more stable, enjoyable, and supported.
Networking at Madonna University
In Madonna University’s ABSN program, you will begin networking with supportive professors and fellow cohort members as you attend nursing events and build a strong educational foundation.
Reach out to an admissions representative at Madonna University today to begin networking in nursing as an ABSN student.