Question

What is the value of professional nursing organizations on networking? Why is networking important?

Answer 1

NETWORKING

• Networking is the exchange of information and ideas among people with a common profession or special interest, usually in an informal social setting.
• networking often begins with a single point of common ground.
• Networking is used by professionals to expand their circles of acquaintances, to find out about job opportunities in their fields and to increase their awareness of news and trends in their fields or in the greater world.

VALUE OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING ORGANIZATIONS ON NETWORKING

• Networking allows young professionals the opportunity to learn more about a field and to secure their first job, even if they do not have much experience.
• The process also offers established professionals the chance to learn about new developments in their industry and share their own best practices with others.
• Through networking, recent graduates and nurses can also gain access to valuable resources such as scholarships for continuing education.
• Three fundamental types of professional networks exists. they are:

1. operational
2. personal
3. strategic

• Operational networks help you succeed in your current position.
• They comprise your colleagues, managers, employees and those working outside of your organizations who help you do your job on a day to day basis
• Personal networks made up of individuals outside of your organizations, can help you find a new job or access new knowledge
• Strategic network give you the ability to marshal the resources of a group to achieve a broad goal.
• All the 3 forms of networking play an important role in nursing, but new and early career nurses should focus on developing operational and personal networks first.

WHY NETWORKING IS IMPORTANT?

• The most connected people are often the most successful.
• When you invest in your relationships- personal and professional. it can pay you back in dividends throughout the course of your career.
• Networking help to develop and improve skill set, stay on top of the latest trends in the industry, keep a pulse on the job market, meet prospective mentors, partners and clients and gain access to the necessary resources that will foster the career development.