From The Nontraditional Nurse
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​May 2026

NETWORKING

I've been hearing a version of this a lot lately:

"I don't really have a network outside of the hospital."

And I get it. Nursing is heads-down work. You're focused on your patients, your unit, your team — not collecting LinkedIn connections or going to happy hours with consultants.

But here's what I've come to realize:

You already have a network. You just don't know how powerful it is yet.

The nurses you trained with, precepted, or worked alongside for years? They're everywhere now. Case management. Insurance companies. Med device firms. Telehealth startups. Legal nurse consulting. Life care planning.

You DO have a nursing network. The problem is that your network is dormant — and you haven't told anyone what you're looking for.

The reality of Nontraditional Job Searching

Here's something nobody tells you when you start exploring nontraditional roles:

A huge percentage of these jobs may never be posted publicly for any significant length of time.

Hiring managers fill roles through referrals, internal candidates, and people they already know before a job ever hits Indeed or LinkedIn Jobs. This isn't a conspiracy, but is the reality of how most hiring works, especially in smaller or specialized companies.

Which means if you're only applying to job boards, you're already behind.

The nurses who land these roles? Many of them got there because someone thought of them when a position opened up. Because they had stayed in touch. Because they had made it known that they were open to something new.

That's networking. And you can do it too.

Almost every single one of my nontraditional nurse interviewees had found their first role through networking rather than blind applications.
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Where Your Network Already Lives

Before you think you need to start from scratch, let's look at what you already have:

Former colleagues — nurses you've worked alongside at any point in your career. You'd be surprised how many have already made a move into a nontraditional role.

Nurses you've precepted or mentored — they look up to you, and they're often connected in ways you wouldn't expect.

Travel nursing contacts — if you've ever traveled, you've built connections across multiple facilities, cities, and specialties.

School and program alumni — your nursing school, BSN program, or any certification program you've completed has an alumni base that's often underutilized.

LinkedIn connections you've never actually talked to — they're already there. They just haven't heard from you.

You don't need a huge network. You need an activated one.

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How to Actually Use It (Without Feeling Awkward)

This is the part that trips most nurses up. Networking feels uncomfortable because it feels transactional — like you're asking for a favor. It's also something we weren't taught anything about in school. We are used to giving, and this sometimes feels like asking.

Reframe it entirely.

You're not asking for a job. You're having a conversation. You're reconnecting. You're curious about someone's experience. That's it.

Here's a simple way to think about it in three steps:

Step 1: Start With What You Know

Make a short list. Even just 5–10 people who:

• Have made a career move you're curious about
• Work in a field or company you're interested in
• You've lost touch with but would genuinely like to reconnect with

You don't need to reach out to all of them at once. Start with one or two people you feel most comfortable with.

Step 2: Reach Out With a Genuine, Low-Pressure Message

You don't need a script. You need sincerity.

Here's an example of what a simple message could look like:

That's it. No resume attached. No asking for a job. Just genuine curiosity and a low-pressure ask.

Most people are happy to share their experience. I have found this to be especially true with nurses, who tend to be a generous, helpful bunch.

Step 3: Follow Up and Stay Visible

Networking isn't a one-time quick win. It's a long game.

After a conversation, follow the person on LinkedIn. Comment on their posts occasionally. Share something relevant when you come across it. Check in a few months later.

You want to stay top of mind — not in a pushy way, but in a "she's someone I actually know and respect" kind of way.

When a role opens up or they hear of something relevant, you want to be the person they think of.

A Simple Prompt to Help You Get Started

If you're not sure how to frame a message to someone in your network, try using this AI prompt to get started:

Then personalize it with your own voice before you send it. A little personalization goes a long way and people tend to ignore a message that reeks of AI. Use this as a starting point, but make sure to be genuine!

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One More Thing: Be Clear About What You're Looking For

Here's a mistake I see a lot: nurses reconnect with people, have great conversations — and then never actually say what they're looking for.

You don't have to be aggressive. But you do need to be clear.

Something as simple as:

That one sentence gives the other person permission to help you. Without it, they might want to help but not know how. I have met so many great connections when I have asked if there is someone else I should talk to in this space.

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What to Do This Week

Keep it simple:

1. Make your list: write down 5 people in your network who've made nontraditional moves or work in a field you're curious about
2. Reach out to one: just one. A short message. No pressure.
3. Update your LinkedIn headline: make sure it signals where you're headed, not just where you've been (we covered how to do this in our last edition!)

You don't need to overhaul your entire approach overnight. One conversation can open a door you didn't even know existed.

Final Thought

The nurses who land nontraditional roles aren't always the most credentialed ones. They're often the ones who showed up, stayed connected, and made it known what they were working toward.

Your network is a resource. Use it.

Thanks for reading, I always appreciate you being here.

I hope this gave you a concrete place to start. The best networking isn't about being the loudest person in the room. It's about being the most genuine.

We'll keep building on this together, step by step.

Appreciate you being here,

Ellie