Nurses: 7 Ways Online Networks Can Advance Your Career

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected that more than 581,500 new RN positions will be created through 2018, which would increase the size of the RN workforce by 22%. This means that during a time of stagnation of job growth in other industries, nurses have opportunities for growth and advancement. Follow these seven tips to make sure your online presence is boosting your career and not causing it to stagnate.

Create a professional profile – According to a recent survey, almost 50 percent of hiring managers use social networking sites to research job candidates. The two biggest mistakes people make are to either not have an online presence at all, suggesting that may not be professionally engaged; or creating a profile that only showcases your quirky side instead of your professional side. Today, many nurses are choosing one site for social interactions with family and friends, like Facebook, while maintaining a professional presence for employers and professional networking, like Nurses Lounge.

Join conversations – More than just random thoughts, your online conversations provide an avenue for you to demonstrate your communication skills, range of interests, creativity, and professional demeanor. A 2009 study found that twenty-four percent of hiring managers found some content while reviewing candidate profiles that helped their decision to hire a job applicant. Engage with other professionals to showcase your abilities, demonstrate your experience, illustrate your problem-solving skills, etc.

Start or join groups – Adults between 35 and 50 are using online networks to make personal and professional connections in growing numbers. The Nurses Lounge allows nurses to create “lounges” for professional networking with like-minded nurses or to more easily manage an existing organization online. There are already lounges for over 70 metro areas, nursing schools and numerous nursing specialties, so you can interact with other nurses within your field, geographic region or alma mater. You can also create one for your own specialized interest or association. Many associations are opting to drop hard to maintain websites and are creating a lounge for their association where they can more easily post events, announcements, association news, which automatically keeps everyone updated with instant email alerts.

Link to your job search – Once you create your profile to help establish your professional presence online, include your membership in your job search materials. Nurses Lounge job search engine puts you one click away from finding the best nursing jobs in the community.

Find and share events – Professional events are great ways to boost your credentials while meeting valuable contacts within your field. Seek out networking and professional development opportunities to engage with like-minded professionals.

Share photos, videos, and other documents – Share professional photos and videos that highlight your skills and professional activities. This is a great place for professional headshots, instructional videos that illustrate your knowledge and experience, posters you have created, instructional sheets or brochures or simply your resume.

Engage in discussion with others – Use the lounge forums to post questions for other nurses, generate discussions of important topics, gather important information and share your knowledge with nurses across the nation. This is where potential employers can see your strengths and ability to communicate, teach, and help others.

Nurses Lounge online gives you a fresh and innovative way to interact professionally with other nurses, share experiences and knowledge, and positively affect the nursing profession. The new reputation builder helps show others how engaged you are in your professional networks. With more employers using networks to research applicants, the Nurses Lounge is the ideal network to highlight your professional persona while leaving your social persona for friends and family to enjoy.

Create your free professional profile now at http://www.NursesLounge.com!

By Anthony Armstrong