Let's just get this out of the way, networking is awkward. However, the good news is that almost everyone feels this way.
Despite what you may already believe, networking isn't solely about collecting business cards or having the perfect elevator pitch, it's really just making connections with people. That's something you already know how to do! Keep reading for tips on how to make networking feel a whole lot less intimidating.
Table of Contents
Before the Event, Give Yourself a Simple Plan
The worst networking advice is “just be yourself.”
Because if you’re already nervous, that doesn’t help you do anything differently.
Instead, give yourself structure before you walk in.
Pick one reason you’re there. Not five. One.
For example:
Learn about ICU nursing
Talk to 2 hospitals you might want to apply to
Figure out what new grads actually struggle with in their first job
Then prepare three simple questions you can reuse:
“What does a typical day look like in your role?”
“What helped you the most when you were a new grad?”
“What’s something students usually don’t realize about this specialty?”
That’s it.
You’re not improvising confidence—you’re giving yourself a script so your brain doesn’t freeze.
During the Event: Don’t Start With the Hardest Part
Most students walk into networking events and aim way too high.
They go straight for:
The busiest recruiter table
The group of people already deep in conversation
The “important-looking” person standing in the center of the room
Then they feel overwhelmed and leave early.
Here’s a better approach:
Start easy.
Look for:
Someone standing alone
Two people mid-conversation (not a full group)
A table that isn’t swarmed
A simple opener is enough:
“Hi, is this your first time at this event too?”
“What brings you here today?”
“Have you been to one of these before?”
You don’t need a clever introduction. You just need an opening line that lets the other person talk first.
Once they answer, follow their lead instead of trying to steer the conversation perfectly.
If they say they’re a nurse in pediatrics, don’t jump into your résumé. Ask:
“What made you choose pediatrics?”
That one question usually carries the conversation further than anything else you could say.
If You’re Introverted: Set a Time Limit (This Changes Everything)
If you’re introverted or socially drained easily, this part matters more than anything else in this article.
Do not aim to “stay the whole event.”
That’s how people burn out and decide networking isn’t for them.
Instead, set a time limit before you arrive:
30 minutes
1 hour
Maximum 90 minutes
Your only goal is to have 2–3 conversations, not “work the room.”
When you hit your limit, you leave. Even if it feels early.
Consistency over intensity always wins here.
During Clinicals: This Is Where Networking Actually Happens
A lot of students overlook this, but clinicals are one of the easiest places to build your network because you’re already there every week.
You don’t need to “network” in a formal way.
Just pay attention to moments like:
A nurse teaching you something extra
A pharmacist taking time to explain a medication
A provider answering your questions without rushing you
At the end of your shift, say something simple:
“I really appreciated you taking the time to walk me through that today—it helped a lot.”
That alone makes you memorable.
If you had a good connection, you can add:
“Would you be open to me connecting with you on LinkedIn?”
No pitch. No pressure. Just a natural continuation of the interaction.
After the Event: This Is the Step Most People Skip
This is where networking actually turns into opportunities.
Within 24–48 hours, send a short message.
Not a paragraph. Not your résumé. Just context + appreciation.
Example:
“Hi Dr. Smith, it was great speaking with you at the career fair yesterday. I really appreciated your advice about transitioning into ICU nursing. Thank you again for your time.”
That’s it.
This works because most people don’t do it. You instantly stand out just by following up normally.
Don’t Treat Networking Like a Transaction
The biggest mindset shift is this:
Networking is not “what can I get from this person?”
It’s “is this someone I can learn from or stay in touch with?”
Sometimes the answer leads to job opportunities. Sometimes it doesn’t. But even the conversations that don’t lead anywhere immediately still build familiarity—and that matters more than students realize.
A lot of opportunities in healthcare come from:
Being remembered
Being recommended
Being “that student who asked good questions”
Not from a perfect elevator pitch.
The Real Truth About Networking
Most people don’t feel confident networking.
They just get more comfortable doing it.
The students who seem “good at it” aren’t better at talking—they’ve just had more reps. More awkward introductions. More conversations that didn’t go anywhere. More moments of figuring it out in real time.
So if it still feels a little uncomfortable, that’s normal.
You don’t need to fix that feeling before you start.
You just need to start anyway.
