The ability to connect with friends, peers, colleagues, and family members has benefited due to the advancement of technology. Social media, for instance, Facebook, and Twitter have changed the dimension of communication and forming relationships. These online services have led to professional online networking organizations where members mainly from similar professions or sectors interact to share experiences, advice, among other important issues (Matthews, 2012). Nursing being one of the most challenging careers due to the workload and people’s lives being at stake calls for nurses to be stress-free and stay informed on the changing issues. Nurses among other health practitioners are being encouraged to use both social media and professional platforms to gain moral and professional support from their colleagues, remain informed on changes in the sector such as new diagnosis techniques, treatment, or technological changes (Matthews, 2012). The professional platforms enable health professions to gain more experience by interacting with more experienced professionals. The platforms also offer ground for mentorship and coaching that is important when an individual wish to advance in his/her career.
The above benefits can only be achieved if the person is willing to keep a professional brand that is consistent across social media and professional platforms, for example, the Facebook personal page should portray the same professional brand like that in Linked. The ability to set a professional brand is based on being serious on what one posts in the social media and other platforms to ensure that people can define you from the pages (Matthews, 2012). I always think before posting anything as negative posts or images I like or comment on can be offensive and disadvantage the benefits I intend on achieving. Active participation in health and ethical issues have dominated most of my postings to ensure I demonstrate I am serious and ready to connect without damaging my brand.
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Searching for mentors and coaches to help me advance in my career is based on determining a nursing professional organization. There are many professional associations based on my career path wishes are American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) and American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE). APNA is the largest professional membership organization formed by specialty practice of psychiatric-mental health. The members range from the lowest to the highest level in the field thus providing room to gain experience, advice and advance my career towards becoming one of the best in the field (Apna.org, 2017). AONE members are professionals intending to acquire leadership skills, leaders in nursing, and former leaders (AONE, 2017). The organization provides room to learn from the best and use the opportunity towards becoming a competent leader. The platforms also provide coaches and mentors who can guide me in advancing my career.
Mentors and coaches in any profession are essential to attain one’s career dreams. The networking platforms such as AONE and APNA, offer the connections required to interact and connect with potential mentors or coaches. The people are most successful and have no time to waste thus it is important to set a professional brand that would make them consider mentoring you or sponsoring your ambitions. The following steps would enable connection with a mentor or a coach to help you in your career. The first step is setting your goals and structure to determine the person you deem suitable to mentor you. This step is followed by sampling and researching the potential sponsors to know their breakthrough, likes and dislikes, among other personal and professional achievements. The third phase involves approaching the person by respectfully asking the person whether they can spare some of the time which can be about 15 to 20 minutes (Quick Sprout, 2015). The first impression is important, and you need to explain the reasons in the best way possible. The next step is sharing your need for help and intentions to ensure that the person understands what you need from them. The fifth step is based on the first step as you have to share your goals and plans to ensure the mentor or coach knows what you want to work on which will help set the interaction and learning progress (Ensher & Murphy, 2006). Once all these steps are followed, the parties can set up a schedule that is convenient for both of them.
References
Apna.org. (2017). About APNA - American Psychiatric Nurses Association. (2017). Apna.org . Retrieved 24 June 2017, from https://www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3277
AONE. (2017) . Celebrating 50 Years of Inspiring Nurse Leaders. (2017). AONE . Retrieved 24 June 2017, from http://www.aone.org/
Ensher, E.A. & Murphy, S.E. (2006). Power Mentoring: How Successful Mentors and
Protégés Get the Most Out of Their Relationships. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Matthews, J. (2012). Professional Organizations Advocate for the Nursing Profession. Medscape . Retrieved 24 June 2017, from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/766817_5
Quick Sprout . (2015). The Complete Guide to Building Your Personal Brand – Chapter 6. (2015). Quick Sprout . Retrieved 24 June 2017, from, https://www.quicksprout.com/the-complete-guide-to-building-your-personal-brand-chapter-6/
