This may come as a surprise but it is estimated around 25% of all nurses eligible for employment have a LinkedIn profile. This means that for every one nurse that does have a profile there are three others who are not taking advantage of this career bolstering tool. 

If you are a registered nurse or nurse practitioner who is considering finding new employment, a good starting point is to create a LinkedIn profile. Prospective employers will likely view your LinkedIn profile during the recruiting and hiring process.

Choose the Perfect Photo

A strong profile will help highlight your experience, skills, and credentials, allowing you to stand out amongst other nurses.  

An engaging and professional profile is important to make a great first impression. Here are helpful tips, including the do’s and don'ts, to help your LinkedIn profile shine.

Do use a professional headshot. Your photo is the first thing potential employers or important connections will see when they visit your profile. Consider having a professional headshot taken or make sure to include a photograph that is well composed with good lightning, and a clean background. Don’t use photos that include other people, pets, or unprofessional backgrounds. Also it’s always a good idea to swap out that cap and gown photo from graduation. If you’ve been in the workplace for more than a year then you always want your profile to showcase experience over inexperience. 

Make Connections

Do engage with others on LinkedIn and keep an active profile. The more time you put into being active with LinkedIn the more you will get out of it. Like or comment on relevant posts as often as possible in order to keep your profile active and attract connections. Don’t ignore your profile for weeks at a time. Update it regularly, approve connections, and interact with others. 

An easy tip is to download the app to your smartphone that way you can get alerts and utilize the chat feature. Like any app, if it becomes too much of a nuisance then just delete it. Think of LinkedIn as a casual dating app it’s there when you need it and with medium use it can provide a high reward (e.g., new job, new connections)

When it comes to seeking roles, do not be bashful about engaging with recruiters in the hiring process or with posts that employers or individuals publish online. You need to establish a relationship somehow and these subtle cues are digital signals that you can leverage to make an impression and establish contact. 

Do write meaningful recommendations for people you have worked with previously. 

It may be reciprocated for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations from coworkers or past employers. If they think you did a great job, they will gladly support you. 

Do personalize connection requests. Don’t send generic requests. Be sure to include a personalized message; mention mutual connections or reference a post they made that intrigued you. Let them know your reason for connecting with them. People are more prone to connect with you if you send a personalized message. 

Keep It Professional 

Do keep your LinkedIn profile professional while being authentic. Remember that LinkedIn is a professional business social network, not a social network for pleasure like Facebook or Instagram. Keep your profile and posts professional at all times. Your activity is usually visible to others. Every time you like or comment on someone else's profile you become visible to them and their connections. Be mindful of your comments on other people’s profiles, as those are easily viewed by others. Keep it professional. 

Optimize Your Profile

• Do use keywords related to the nursing field to help your profile stand out. Utilize keywords in your job title, as well as throughout your profile. However, don’t keyword-stuff your LinkedIn profile, but insert them as naturally as possible. Avoid overused words such as “experienced,” “passionate,” or “responsible.” Use bullet points to highlight skills and experience. It will enhance readability. Make sure to check for typos and spelling errors. 

• Do make sure that your LinkedIn profile is complete because it helps prospective recruiters find you. Fill out all relevant sections including work history, certifications, and education. Don’t leave gaps in your profile.

• Do create a professional headline that helps you stand out and attract potential recruiters.

• When you are looking for or if you find yourself “between jobs” simply add “seeking new role” or “open to network” in your profile headline.  This will let others know to reach out and share their roles with you.

• Do add any publications you may have in the field. There is a section dedicated to publications on your profile. Perhaps your patient care was featured in your local publication or a trade news - share it, it shows off your uniqueness. 

• Do use the “Open to Work” feature on LinkedIn if you are actively open to work. A banner will appear on your profile photo that  will let recruiters, employers, and your connections know that you are open to employment. You can share your status with all LinkedIn members or select “share with recruiters only.”

A strong LinkedIn profile will get you noticed by recruiters and open the door to new opportunities in your nursing career. 

Nurses looking for full-time placement can schedule their EARN evaluation, a virtual meeting with peer nurses, and fast track the hiring process for their next career move.