Blog contribution by NIHD members Kinsey Alexander, BSN, RN & Adrian Kiumarsi, MHI, RN, CPN.
We are two nurses who found themselves at their first industry networking event and both felt immediately transported back to the high school cafeteria first day of freshman year. Queue flight, fight…nope…freeze. Indeed, we did survive this treacherous experience and walked away with humility and oddly enough, confidence. But, as nurses do, we decided to reflect on the experience, gather more evidence, find the how and why, and then implement this networking experience again. Sound familiar? (Hint: PDSA).
So, please enjoy the networking tips gathered below from our mentors, colleagues, and of course our own trial and error to help you prepare, connect, and feel confident as you step into new territory, seek out nontraditional nursing roles, and transform healthcare.
For many nurses, networking, let alone promoting oneself, feels like something “other professions do.” In nursing school, it is not a skill formally taught nor mentioned and practiced. However, the role of the nurse is evolving far beyond the traditional clinical setting, where our careers first began. Today, nurses are working in healthcare product design, launching their own companies, leading the design of new healthcare facilities, and ultimately transforming healthcare in its entirety. And what new strength comes with these new frontiers? Networking! Yes - it is a vital skill that every nurse must acquire and strengthen as we break new barriers, move into new arenas, and ensure the nursing voice is not only heard but understood. We’ve got this.
As nurses, we went in the event eager to learn, assuming the real value would come from the session(s) and speaker(s) of said event; however, what we would soon come to realize, was that the most impactful event takeaways were from the individuals we met and connected with.
Before the Event – Setting yourself up for success.
Craft your elevator pitch. You are selling you! Think about how you want to present yourself. What’s your story? What excites you? Practice your 20-30 second pitch out loud several times so you can knock it out of the park in real time.
Plan how you will connect.
Update your LinkedIn profile and use the QR code feature for a quick connect, save it as your phone wallpaper for quick access.
Utilize your business cards. Place a stack in your car (so you don’t keep forgetting them – this would be a personal lived experience).
Swap numbers. Grab the person’s number and text them right there and then. This will jog both of your memories to respond and keep in touch after the event.
Leverage internal resources. Let your business development or sales team know you’ll be attending. They may have lists of attendees or strategic intros to offer.
Do your research. Look up attendees, speakers, and featured projects. Event hashtags on LinkedIn and/or an event conference app are goldmines.
Set goals. Make a short list of people you’d like to meet - whether for mentorship, collaboration, or inspiration. This will keep you focused with a purpose.
At the Event – You’ve got this!
Arrive early. What?! Yes, and here is why. By arriving early, it gives you a chance to start conversations before groups naturally form. People will come to you! The result will build your momentum and give you a quick confidence boost.
Be open, approachable, but take action. Don’t be afraid to walk up to a new group. Smile, introduce yourself, and jump in. If it doesn’t click, it’s okay to move on politely. Remember, everyone is in the same position you are.
Use names and stay curious. Repeating someone’s name in conversation helps build rapport, increases their self-esteem, and helps you remember them later (and them, you).
Ending a conversation gracefully. Examples include (have these lines practiced and ready to go):
“Can we exchange contact info? I have to run and say hi to my coworker.”
“Oh, let’s go say hi to (insert name) together. I can introduce you.”
“It was so great meeting you. I am going to go grab a cup of coffee/use the restroom/make a phone call.”
Embrace the uncertainty. If you are caught off guard with information you feel like you “should” know, that is okay. Remember, vulnerability builds connection. Humility and grace go far. Consider the following lines to keep you centered and not second guess yourself.
“That sounds familiar, can you tell me a little more about it?”
“The name sounds familiar, how did you both get connected?”
After the Event: You did it!
Follow-up with your connections. Reference your conversation: “It was great meeting you at [event] and chatting about [insert topic].” Suggest meeting again or ask if they will be attending an upcoming industry event.
Offer your value. Say “Can I connect you with someone from my team?” or, “Here is a resource I found that reminds me of our conversation.”
Organize your new connections. Save emails, names, and notes from your conversations in one place. This helps jog your memory when preparing for all your future events.
Key Takeaways
Facetime matters most. Personal interaction builds deeper connections than digital presence alone.
Be prepared, but stay flexible. Having a plan is helpful but leave space for unexpected conversations and plans.
Lead with generosity and humility. Share your time, insights, and connections freely. Networking is a two-way street.