I'm sorry if this is a topic that has been addressed before. I've searched around and didn't really come a cross an answer that's relevant to my concerns but I'm wondering if having a LinkedIn account as a nursing student/new grad is really necessary? Or even for nurses in general. I know a couple of folks who have accounts and several who don't or have accounts but have never updated or kept up with their accounts even after graduating and have had no problems getting jobs.
I can see why LinkedIn would be beneficial: makes you look professional, gives you opportunities to network, contact with recruiters, etc. But I'm more concerned about privacy. I'm really the type of person who would prefer to keep sensitive information off the internet as best as I can. I especially hate those websites that collect public domain information and put it in a neat little package for people to find at the tip of their fingers on Google. I have a really uncommon name as well so it'd be very easy to find me (not including recruiters/job opportunities or anything like that, just people in general) and that thought is a little unsettling.
Honestly, I'm really not into social networking and while I have a Facebook account, I use my nickname, have it set on the highest possible privacy settings, and I don't include sensitive info (work, education, location, etc.). I only really post benign things like photos or articles and even then I'm rarely on it but I keep it so I can contact family overseas.
Most people or at least articles in regards to LinkedIn have leaned towards having an account or that it's imperative to have one in this day and age†but I'm wondering as a prospective nurse/someone working in health care if it's really necessary since it seems to be geared more towards those in business/marketing type jobs. At least from what I've seen. Would it greatly diminish my chances of finding a job if I didn't have an account? I really value my privacy!
LinkedIn = recruitment exposure for the experienced RN
LinkedIn yielded some good recruitment opportunities, some unadvertised, both ICU and informatics. The recruiters need a way to find you with specific opportunities that might not be otherwise advertised. Once you have the right experience, LinkedIn might be the best way for them to find you.
I think that it is not required for many RNs and most new grads. Recruiters are not looking for you because you will come to them.
LinkedIn = detailed info for researching an applicant
You can pique the interest of HR with a resume. For the experienced RN or second career RN with a broad transferable professional experience, LinkedIn offers more detail. A resume might not be able to fit key details of your nursing research, QI projects, previous software developer experience, business/IT management, EMS career, product sales rep, your published research from your time in an academic lab, or your accomplishments as a professor. LinkedIn acts like an easy to read searchable online CV.
I think it is not necessary for your average 1st career new grad. There is no need for extra detail about your stint as the editor of your highschool newspaper, captain of an intermural lacrosse team, or a long writeup about your previous work as a server. Your resume covers that sufficiently.
I refuse to use it. I've had people I don't even know offer to vouch for me and ask me to vouch for them. It is fraudulent in those situations and I think it's a very slippery slope.
SummitRN, BSN, RN
2 Articles; 1,567 Posts
LinkedIn = recruitment exposure for the experienced RN
LinkedIn yielded some good recruitment opportunities, some unadvertised, both ICU and informatics. The recruiters need a way to find you with specific opportunities that might not be otherwise advertised. Once you have the right experience, LinkedIn might be the best way for them to find you.
I think that it is not required for many RNs and most new grads. Recruiters are not looking for you because you will come to them.
LinkedIn = detailed info for researching an applicant
You can pique the interest of HR with a resume. For the experienced RN or second career RN with a broad transferable professional experience, LinkedIn offers more detail. A resume might not be able to fit key details of your nursing research, QI projects, previous software developer experience, business/IT management, EMS career, product sales rep, your published research from your time in an academic lab, or your accomplishments as a professor. LinkedIn acts like an easy to read searchable online CV.
I think it is not necessary for your average 1st career new grad. There is no need for extra detail about your stint as the editor of your highschool newspaper, captain of an intermural lacrosse team, or a long writeup about your previous work as a server. Your resume covers that sufficiently.