Network Like It's Your Job—Because It Is: 15 Tips for Personal and Professional Growth in 15 Minutes

Purpose: This dynamic presentation seeks to energize the networking and connection potentials of nurses. First, identify the importance of networking as a method of personal and professional growth, and then learn about 15 opportunities to expand your connecting, networking, and communicating skill sets.

The world is only as big as you allow it to be. With a combination of high tech and high touch approaches, this presentation will offer tips for the next steps in maximizing your nursing career. Embrace the power of social networking. Identify the value of being a willing mentee or mentor. Create an atmosphere that is conducive to your strengths, and allows you to connect and engage throughout your career.

Methods: A selected review of current scholarly literature, professional books, and technology blogs. The selected review is guided by two key questions:

1)    What is the importance of networking in professional development?

2)    What are 15 important, proven ways to engage in professional growth activities through networking?

The findings of the review are compiled in a brief presentation geared toward a diverse professional nursing audience with a final focus on a call to action to develop self and others professionally.

Results: Fifteen key networking and connection tools and skills are discussed with a focus on application for professional career and leadership development.  Ranging from technology-based approaches to connection and collaboration-focused approaches.  These 15 tips encompass a wide range of opportunities to boost growth potential in every nurse’s career.  This fast paced and energetic presentation will use multiple presentation modalities to share tips with an  audience of adult learners.

Conclusion: Nurses must diversify and maximize their networking and connecting potential.  The learning of these fifteen tips is only a beginning.  Participants are charged with the development of their own next steps through the exploration of personal career applications. Reflection is key for creating dynamic change.  In addition to the reflective charge participants are encouraged to leave with a plan to embrace changes, challenges, and choices as opportunities for growth. Participants must make the commitment to explore communities, connections, collaborations, and collegiality in a modern, international nursing community. Surpassing borders and overcoming barriers as they expand the options they have as nurses.