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Since becoming a pharmaceutical clinical nurse educator almost three years ago, I have had the somewhat unique opportunity to engage in the professional dynamics inside the world of the health care industry. As with most life experiences, what I have appreciated most is the opportunity to observe both the similarities as well as differences between the business and clinical sectors of health care specifically because it relates to various elements of professional development. Professional networking has been a staple of career advancement within the industry and the business world for quite some time, and the broad precepts of networking have been applied both in academia and within the domain of clinical medicine. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines networking as "the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business."1
The popularity of websites such as LinkedIn has brought professional networking to the general masses. Individuals from occupations that may not have historically aligned with the concept of networking are now adept at using these virtual pathways to self-promotion and career-focused interactions. Nursing may have come to the professional networking table later than other health care professions. With the various career opportunities available within health care, whether they are clinical, academic, or industry focused, now more than ever, is the time for nurses to realize and take advantage of the benefits of professional networking. Simply put, nurses should take a page from the business sector and familiarize themselves with the principles of defining future priorities, acquiring stakeholder support, and...