LinkedIn and Nurses

[Epona]

Hi everyone. I have two friends from my previous career in Journalism who have asked me to join LinkedIn and be in their network. I have pretty much left that career behind me as I have ventured into Nursing. I am just wondering if any of you are members of LinkedIn, and what the benefits are to you as a Nurse. I like my friends, but I am just wondering if joining this is really worth my time. I am thinking it is more for PR, Business type careers and less for Nursing. Anyone know?? Thanks!!! :uhoh21:

[sharlynn]

What is LinkedIn? I've never heard of it.

[raconte]

I'm a member, and have found it somewhat helpful, it has a more "grown-up" feel and audience then Facebook and MySpace. However it share some of the same components.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I'm on LinkedIn. It's essentially a professional networking site that allows you to add people that you've worked with as connections. In that way, it's similar to the social networking sites like Facebook. You're right that business folks are represented in higher numbers there than healthcare providers are.

I'm trying to do some writing and public speaking to healthcare organizations, so that was my motive for joining when a friend told me about it. Many of the nurses on LI are administrators, trauma coordinators, educators, etc.

[Epona]

Wow. That is pretty helpful. I see. I was thinking it was mainly just business, accounting, PR folks.... people like that. I guess healthcare folks are on there too then. Hmmmmm.... that is very good to know. I will consider taking my friend up on his offer then! Thanks very much for shedding some light here!!

[VU RN BSN]

There seem to be A LOT of nurse recruiters and human resources people using LinkedIn. I joined LinkedIn last week and joined a few of the nursing groups on LinkedIn, and have found that many of the posts in the discussions are from recruiters.