Do nurses use "Linked In"?

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Sorry if this seems like a silly question, but I'm curious to know. My husband is getting out of the military soon, and in one of his "civilian-ready classes," the instructor stressed the importance of creating a LinkedIn profile to establish an online presence if you don't have one already (which, I don't, at least not a presence linked to my identity). I was wondering if nurses use LinkedIn, or if that website is more for people in business/marketing. Again, sorry if this seems like a silly question.

Thank you in advance~ :up:

I was using Linkedin and got nothing but email job offer scams. I deleted my account. It seems like more like administration/ recruiters/ or management use Linkedin, and not bed-side nurses.

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I was using Linkedin and got nothing but email job offer scams. I deleted my account. It seems like more like administration/ recruiters/ or management use Linkedin, and not bed-side nurses.

What were these "email scams" like?

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I use it irregularly. I actually got my last job through a recruiter who contacted me on my LinkedIn profile.

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Specializes in RN-BC, SCRN.

Yes, you should use it. It's a professional network and the recruiters of all major healthcare organizations (and non-major ones) use it. I include my linkedin profile on my resume, and it was useful for me in getting my first job. I have connections to recruiters who are with all the hospital orgs in my area, and I get calls and emails from legitimate recruiters at least once a week. It's a great way to keep your resume, work experience, academic accomplishments, publications, and volunteer work up to date. Use it to network with your current or former professors, get connected to orgs you hope to work for, follow industry leaders, and follow professional organizations you are a part of for your speciality. Connect with colleagues and hope they endorse your skills (and you should endorse the skills of others you know) - people will notice. Its worth is only as good a the time you put in to it (but a basic profile is completely free), and once you have your profile fleshed out, including a professional looking (not a selfie) headshot, it requires little attention to maintain. If you're a new nurse or an academic, or anyone hoping to grow in your career I highly recommend you use it. Other industry professionals do.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

On my LinkedIn profile, I include all my nursing experience, education, volunteer activities, publications, research projects I've been involved in, etc.

I also "like" other professionals and now have amassed >1000 contacts mostly at the hospital where I used to work. For me, its all about keeping my options open.

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Specializes in Critical care, Trauma.

LinkedIn is basically an online resume where you can display your experience, education, certifications, any extra courses/additional training you've attended, etc. You have the ability to "check a box" that says you're interested in learning about employment opportunities and write up a little blurb about the type of job you're seeking. This flags your account so that it gets more attention from recruiters.

My hospital is going through a transition and, at one point, we weren't sure if we were going to be shut down or bought out. When everything was still up in the air, I changed my account to say that I was interested in seeking out new opportunities and it felt comforting to get recruiters for nearby hospitals telling me about their upcoming hiring events and asking me to look into their open positions. I definitely recommend this resource.

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LinkedIn is basically an online resume where you can display your experience, education, certifications, any extra courses/additional training you've attended, etc. You have the ability to "check a box" that says you're interested in learning about employment opportunities and write up a little blurb about the type of job you're seeking. This flags your account so that it gets more attention from recruiters.

My hospital is going through a transition and, at one point, we weren't sure if we were going to be shut down or bought out. When everything was still up in the air, I changed my account to say that I was interested in seeking out new opportunities and it felt comforting to get recruiters for nearby hospitals telling me about their upcoming hiring events and asking me to look into their open positions. I definitely recommend this resource.

That's really great to hear; glad to know it's so helpful.

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

Should I put non-healthcare-related history on a Linked In profile? I held the same job since I was 16 for 4.5 years (I quit a few months ago). It's not healthcare-related, but I learned a lot about people and customer service, so I feel like it would be relevant.

I would, but keep the description short and sweet, and customer service focused as the highlights...

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

And after several nursing jobs, you can take it off. I eventually took my server job off after my second nursing job, but I had to leave something up there because I worked there for 7 years and had great references.

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Specializes in CT ,ICU,CCU,Tele,ED,Hospice.

yes I do.I am job searching and have found recruiters use it heavily .also find interesting info regarding resumes ,interviews etc.plus I job search with it also.

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What do you do if you're interested in job offers in a different state/city? Would you put that into your "about me" page?

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I've been traveling for about a year now, and my LinkedIn has hooked me up with recruiters, which is helping me to find gigs. I definitely think making one is helpful, especially since we live in a day of networking and social media. It'll open doors you wouldn't have known were there by having one.

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