The Power of Virtual Professional Networking

Abstract

Research in the business community indicates that virtual professional networks are used to keep internal staff and remote employees connected, to connect with potential clients, and to showcase the skills of the business. When surveyed, 37% of businesses, not using virtual networking , said it was because they didn't know what software or network to use. When translating this research to schools of nursing, one would envision faculty, at home, in their offices or traveling to conferences, being able to connect with each other, connecting with their students, and showcasing their scholarly activity. A VPN can also be used to host meeting agenda, faculty publications, newsletters and discussion fora. The majority and perhaps all schools of nursing in Canada have access to educational platform software (Blackboard, Moodle, Angel etc.) that facilitates these activities and many more. In this presentation I will lead a Virtual Field Trip though the faculty Moodle VPN in the Athabasca program and will demonstrate how it can be adopted across Canada. In the future provincial regualtory bodies and the CNA will also host software allowing practicing nurses to network professionally in supportive environments but there is no need for nurse educators to wait.