Connecting and Educating on LinkedIn with Michelle Lemmons, RN, BSN, PHN, CNOR

LinkedIn is often thought of as an online resume and networking tool for people who work in offices. In recent years, however, it has become so much more. It’s a space for thought leadership and education for all kinds of professionals. One survey found that 6 of 10 users are looking for industry insights on LinkedIn. Educational content is incredibly popular, #nursingeducation, for example, has 10,543 followers.

Michelle Lemmons, RN, BSN, PHN, CNOR was a nursing assistant and registered nurse for ten years before becoming the OR Clinical Educator at Key Surgical. Michelle has been featured in OR Today, Once a Nurse Always a Nurse, and is one of the hosts of the new podcast, Knowledge Unlocked. Michelle uses LinkedIn brilliantly to promote her work in clinical education as well as connect with other industry thought leaders. I ask Michelle about her experience on the platform as an educator and what she wished others knew more about. 

What made you get more active on LinkedIn?

My job! I transitioned from working at the bedside to a clinical education role, creating content, and entering a new role of Nursing clinical education. I am so fortunate to work for Key Surgical. They truly place their staff and customers as a top priority. We all have access to LinkedIn learning and are encouraged to share our educational content and credits free to anyone. This platform is excellent for that.  

What do you like about engaging?

Meeting SO many different people across the globe in a professional, respectful space. I enjoy reading about Surgical smoke from a Clinical Educator in Mumbai, a nurse in Colorado, and a nurse in England- seeing that the conversations and concerns are similar and encouraging one another, and sharing information.  There is something special about being able to discuss and help create solutions with strangers all over the world.

How do you use LinkedIn to share information? 

Key Surgical has offered me a once-in-a-lifetime role, one where I can share and shed light on things I am passionate about leadership, nursing, and healthcare burnout, communication, and not settling for the same 'it’s always been this way' responses.  I like to share information on these things, on our CE’s. The Podcast “Knowledge Unlocked” and links to things that I am currently inspired and motivated by.  Further, I like to share Kudos publicly! To call out and celebrate the hidden talents of those I am fortunate enough to meet and work with!

How do you use LinkedIn to connect with other nurses and educators?

LinkedIn, like other social sites, will “suggest friends” to you, but they also suggest people who have the same title as you and people who post similar content.  This is a great way to network and connect- starting from a mutual point.  I have collaborated with nurses in two external Podcasts, articles, and interact with many in the comment threads under their posts.   

Do you think other nurses should be on LinkedIn? 

I have been telling EVERY nurse I talk to: “Get on LinkedIn!”. I certainly think that this professional site is an untapped resource for health care workers!  Seeing other nurses starting their own businesses, sharing content, initiating change through this platform is beyond inspiring.  Leanne Meier, Elaina Mullery, Dan Weberg, and Tracy Churchill are a few off the top of my head.  There are unique opportunities here and a passionate community of like-minded people waiting for more Nurses, Surgical Techs, CNAs, housekeeping, and sterile processing professionals to jump in. 

For someone just getting started with LinkedIn, what would you recommend they do? 

Read, follow, respond, and share (with their own commentary) content that inspires them. This platform makes it easy to quickly make meaningful connections and establish a professional association with others. Additionally, doors open quickly! For example, I shared content that I am passionate about (Nurse to nurse bullying and burnout) and was asked to be on a podcast the next week. Get ready for new and fun opportunities!