It’s hard to believe that the first ACCP PRNs were formed more than 20 years ago. When I think of why members should join and get involved in an ACCP PRN, the first benefit that comes to mind is networking with other ACCP members who share similar interests. I must admit that I did not fully appreciate the importance of networking early in my career. In this column, I describe why networking is so important.
PRNs provide a forum for the discussion of issues and topics of common interest. Topics can vary from a clinical question related to a particular patient to an issue of national importance. PRNs are provided the opportunity to plan a focus session and to host a networking session during the Annual Meeting. These “live” meetings provide valuable networking opportunities for members to interact with other PRN members. These meetings are beneficial to all PRN members, regardless of their level of experience. Members can share practices and experiences at their respective institutions. Students, trainees, and new practitioners can meet practitioners with more experience. Practitioners and researchers can share research ideas with each other.
These meetings are particularly important for students, trainees, and new practitioners because they provide opportunities to interact and learn from opinion leaders in the field. Some of my most memorable learning has occurred when I listened to a person speak or observed how a person behaved in a certain situation. These “teachable moments” are often unexpected and occur only when you take advantage of networking opportunities. Over time, you gradually become an opinion leader and have the opportunity to help and mentor others.
Another benefit of PRNs is that members can work together on projects of mutual interest. For example, discussions within PRNs can promote and eventually lead to the development of a new specialty. Many of the PRNs are associated with a specialty recognized by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties. The first specialty examinations for two new specialties – critical care and pediatrics – are being prepared, and work on several new specialties is ongoing. PRNs can also work together on scholarly projects, such as PRN opinion papers.
Moreover, PRNs provide opportunities for leadership. Many PRN officers are later elected as ACCP board members or provide service as committee chairs. Serving as a PRN officer can provide a new practitioner visibility within ACCP and the profession.
Of course, PRNs are very important to ACCP. Research by Gallup shows that engaged employees are more productive. ACCP is fortunate to have engaged, passionate members. Every year, hundreds of ACCP members take the time to describe why they are interested and qualified to serve on a particular committee. The incoming president then has the difficult task of selecting members for each committee according to these submitted statements. PRNs play a major role in helping members stay connected and engaged with ACCP.
PRNs also provide important input to ACCP. The success of ACCP, which has always been member-driven, is related to its ability to meet member needs. ACCP often solicits feedback through its PRNs. The collective voice of a PRN can be more powerful than that of an individual member.
How are you doing in the area of networking? Tom Boyle of British Telecom coined the term networking quotient (or NQ) to describe a person’s capacity to form connections with others, arguing that one’s NQ is more important than one’s IQ. A free online quiz has been developed to assess your NQ (www.networkingquotient.com).
Networking takes time, but it is time well spent. I call on my network of professional colleagues frequently, and many of these professional colleagues have become good friends.