Networking in Nursing: Why It Matters and How to Build Connections

Networking can give you a significant advantage in your job search. Many candidates do not realize that the relationships they form can open doors they never knew were there. Building connections with others in your field is often the key to unlocking opportunities.

You might be wondering where you can network professionally. While universities are primarily known for their academic programs, they also offer an opportunity to connect with faculty, peers, and professionals in your field. For aspiring nurses, Concordia University Irvine’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program provides the perfect environment to start networking in healthcare and build valuable connections that can shape your nursing career.

The Importance of Networking in Nursing

The world is always in need of good nurses, but this does not mean that networking is any less essential in nursing. While networking can help you access job opportunities, it can also help nurses stay up to date with best practices, new technologies, and changes in patient care.

Networking allows nurses to tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience from their peers, mentors, and industry experts. As the saying goes, “Two heads are better than one,” and this is especially true when it comes to healthcare challenges. 

Key Benefits of Networking in Nursing

What exactly are the benefits of networking in nursing? Networking offers a wide range of advantages, including:

●      Developing a strong support system

●      Exploring different career paths

●      Finding job opportunities

●      Improving patient outcomes

●      Influencing the healthcare system

●      Offering social and emotional support

●      Sharing valuable resources

●      Staying updated on industry trends and best practices

●      Supporting career advancement

With the many advantages of networking in nursing, there’s much to gain and minimal risk. Why not take advantage of the opportunities it brings?

How to Network as a New Nursing Graduate

Healthcare networking can look a little different from networking in other fields, but it’s just as important for your career growth. You’ll likely make important connections in nursing school with your professors and during clinicals. Different types of networking include the following:

Operational Networking

This type of networking focuses on building relationships with your coworkers. As a nurse, your colleagues can be invaluable sources of knowledge that help improve your performance, cultivate a positive working environment, and provide professional references when needed.

Personal Networking

Personal networking includes friends, family, classmates, and people you meet through professional and social organizations, hobbies, volunteering, or community events. A broad personal network can open doors for referrals and provide valuable support for your career. Instead of relying on just one job pool, having a wide network gives you access to many more opportunities.

Strategic Networking

Strategic networking involves building relationships with specific goals in mind. For example, you might reach out to a professional in a different specialty to gain insight into their role and department. These connections can provide valuable information or advice tailored to your career path.

Joining nursing organizations is a great way to make these strategic connections and build a professional network with other nurses, mentors, and experts. Many nursing organizations, such as the National Student Nurses’ Association and the American Nurses Association, are open to students, so you don’t have to wait to join. There are also regional organizations and organizations for specific nursing specialties.

Each type of networking is important in its own right. None is necessarily better than the other, but they all play a role in helping you grow as a nurse and expand your opportunities.

How to Maintain Professional Connections Over Time

Maintaining professional connections over time is a lot like nurturing personal friendships. The key is to show genuine care. Avoid reaching out only when you need something. Instead, occasionally check in to ask how they’re doing outside work. When your connection feels like a one-sided resource rather than a mutual relationship, it can quickly become strained.

To keep the connection alive, stay in touch through different channels like email, phone calls, coffee dates, or social gatherings. 

The most important thing to remember is to be genuine and sincere in your actions. Genuine care and intentional effort will help professional relationships stand the test of time.

 

Start Your Networking Journey with Concordia University Irvine

Networking in nursing is essential, not just for advancing your career, but for contributing to the growth and development of the industry as a whole. At Concordia University Irvine, the ABSN program offers more than just a nursing degree. It provides the opportunity to build lasting professional connections in as little as 15 months. 

Throughout the program, you and your peers will complete hundreds of clinical hours, engaging in schoolwork, labs, and exams together. These shared experiences not only prepare you for your career but build a strong, supportive network with your classmates and professors.

 

Ready to start your nursing journey? Contact an admissions counselor today and begin building the connections that will support your career for years to come.