Networking through conferences/nursing associations

[knufflebunny]

Do you think going to nursing conferences in the specific field I'm interested in would be a good way to network and potentially land a job? I am a new graduate that doesn't have any health care experience.

Any advice or input would be helpful. Thanks!

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Frankly no. Wouldn't hurt if you find a free one close to home to go to. People will chat with you, sure. But you will see not much comes from these things. Absolutely do not pay to go to anything if you don't currently have a job. Way to throw away your money.

The art of professional networking is dead.

This is something much talked about in just about every profession currently. If you know the "floor snitch" in some way that is a better option to getting an interview with a nurse manager #truth.

[llg, PhD, RN]

There are good reasons to go to conferences and organizational meetings -- networking among them -- but I don't think that a new grad with no experience would benefit enough to spend a lot of money on it. Yes, you could get lucky, but the odds would be against you -- particularly if it's a one-time, large event.

Now, if you have the chance to participate in a local organization in which you get a lot of opportunity to interact with people on a regular basis with people who work in an area that interests you, that might be worth making a little effort for.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

I absolutly disagree that "the art of professional networking is dead." I do a tremendous amount of networking locally and nationally, and it has been enormously beneficial to my practice, as well as my career and professional standing. However, I do agree that it is unlikely to help an inexperienced new grad land a first job.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I got my first job as a new grad through networking. I wouldn't spend on conferences, but if you know what specialty you want to be in, join and go to local chapter meetings.