One of the many benefits of joining an association is the opportunity to connect with peers and discuss your specialty. When WOC nurses join the WOCN Society, not only do they have access to education, events and networking, they also have access to the Forums section of the WOCN Member Center, which allows them to connect with other WOC nurses in an instant.
Forums continue to be an integral part of discussions and networking. Whether a member has a question or needs feedback and/or solution sharing, they can post it to the Forums for their fellow members to respond. The members-only forums are divided into several categories to streamline professional interests and needs:
- Wound
- Ostomy
- Continence
- Professional Practice
- Communities of Practice (Pediatrics)
- Communities of Practice (Foot and Nail)
- WTA/OCA
- COVID-19
- Public Policy
How can you better connect with other WOC nurses on the WOCN forums?
1. Good Title = More Interactions
Attractive headlines catch your eye when browsing the internet or a newspaper. Forums work the same way. When someone is scanning the many threads to click on, people will choose the thread that speaks to them. A title that asks a question or piques the reader’s interest will get better responses then saying, “Hi!” or “This is my question.” If you think you’re not good at choosing titles, save it for last. Write your post and choose a sentence from your post or write a quick one-sentence summary of your post.
2. Comment on Other Threads
Everyone has a unique story to tell, but sometimes it’s best to comment on other people’s stories or questions before telling or asking yours. Before starting a new thread, have a look through the current topics being discussed and see if there’s a conversation you can join. Sometimes, multiple threads start with similar topics being covered with members seemingly unaware that there are others right there who are going through the same thing. Talking to other members on their threads is a great way to not only network, but to make yourself known on the forums. Once you make some connections, people will start to recognize you and respond to your posts.
3. Choose the Right Section
Many people browse the forums looking for sections specifically focused on their current issue or experience. Going straight to the section you think is most relevant may seem like the best choice, but believe it or not, it may not be. Sometimes forums are swamped, and your post could get lost among the threads. Investigate the forum sections and see what others are posting in each section. This helps keep forums relevant and can connect you with others going through the same type of issues or experience Please feel free to share your own tips and stories that you’ve experienced when using the WOCN Society Forums.