Maria also might be interested in tapping into the nursing organization she’s joined to seek out up-to-date practice alerts. For Maria, this could include using her knowledge and experience as a certified medical/surgical nurse to establish a unit-based education program or to take part in a unit-based council to work collectively with other nurses throughĮvidence-based practice and nurse competencies. Both require common steps.įirst, establish an understanding of your goals and who can help you achieve them. Steps to building a networkīuilding a professional network can take two paths: a network in your immediate clinical environment or one created through an organization. Today’s healthcare environment is volatile, so building a strong network should be part of a professional insurance policy. Many positions are never advertised, and workforce recruiters acknowledge that their best referrals come from professionals whose judgment they trust. The result is consistent evidence-based, high-quality patient care.įor young nurses like Maria, a strong network can help when looking for new career opportunities. Together they can compare and share best practices or research findings from their clinical practice, reducing the need to re-create the wheel individually. For example, as a member of a national organization, Maria has access to networking with other medical/surgical nurses. This is where professional networks can promote evidence-based practice through collaboration. Working in silos of individual clinical settings, nurses are left with less-than-optimal patient care and the need to develop evidence-based solutions from scratch. Specifically, healthcare demands evidence-based practice, but nurses across the nation frequently are faced with variations in patient care and deep-rooted sacred cows of practice that are neither evidence-based nor current. Professional networks are crucially connected to quality patient care. For example, if Maria’s interested in developing specific skills or advancing her education, she can use her network to identify a mentor for skill development or guidance on educational opportunities. Professional networks also will provide her with mentorship, support, and teamwork opportunities. These activities will help Maria evolve from a novice to an expert nurse and open doors to professional networks. As a member of the profession, she has the opportunity to develop through continuing education, certification, and membership in nursing organizations. Maria, like all direct-care nurses, is part of the profession of nursing. They wonder why they should spend what free time they have on an activity that seems so indirectly related to their work, and they fail to see how a network can enhance their professional growth or be a wise career investment. Many nurses never make the investment of getting involved with professional associations or take the time to ensure that they have a strong network of colleagues within and outside their own organization. Maria’s lack of understanding about the value of professional networks isn’t unusual. She has a busy personal life and doesn’t have time to volunteer in her local chapter. However, Maria isn’t sure why her hospital values membership in the national organization or how it will help her career. She recently achieved certification and became a member of a national nursing organization for her specialty, both of which are needed to advance through the clinical ladder at work. Maria is a direct-care nurse working on a medical/surgical unit in an acute-care hospital. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, and Tanya M. Professional networking has rules, such as adding value to others, building a professional image, and being prepared and positive.īy Rose O.Building a professional network can take two paths: a network in your immediate clinical environment or one created through an organization.Professional networks are crucially connected to quality patient care.Networks help you advance your career, provide high-quality care, and support your colleagues. Author Guidelines and Manuscript Submission.
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