How to Reach Out to Someone on LinkedIn: Networking Message Templates for Nurses
You know networking could help your career. Maybe you’ve even found someone on LinkedIn who has a job you’re interested in, made a career transition similar to yours, or works in an area you’d like to learn more about.
There’s just one problem: How do you actually reach out to them?
Sending a message to someone you don’t know can feel awkward. You don’t want to sound like you’re asking for a favor, selling yourself, or (worst of all) copying and pasting some painfully generic networking message.
But reaching out to someone on LinkedIn doesn’t have to be complicated.
All too often, people stress about saying the perfect thing. But all you need is to give someone a genuine reason to connect and make it easy for them to respond.
And as a nurse, you may have more reasons to reach out than you realize. You can connect with nurses who have made career transitions, professionals working in roles you're considering, people at organizations you're interested in, recruiters, and others who can give you a better look at career possibilities beyond your current role.
In this post, you’ll find simple LinkedIn message templates and examples you can adapt for different networking situations (plus guidance on what to do after you hit “Send”).
Before You Reach Out: Have a Reason
Before you reach out to someone on LinkedIn, take a minute to ask yourself: Why this person?
You don't need a complicated reason. You just want to be able to explain what caught your attention and why you'd like to connect.
Additionally, focusing on finding a genuine reason to connect with someone makes networking not only easier, but much less awkward.
For example, you might reach out to someone because:
They have a career path you're interested in. Maybe they're a nurse who moved into clinical informatics, education, quality, or healthcare technology.
They work in a role you're considering. Connecting with someone who actually does the job can give you a much better idea of what the work is like.
They work for an organization you're interested in. A current employee may be able to give you insight into the company, team, or hiring process.
They shared something helpful. If you found someone's LinkedIn post, article, or advice useful, that's a perfectly natural reason to start a conversation.
Once you know your reason, your message becomes much easier to write.
→ LinkedIn is not the only way to network. If you want to learn more about networking in nursing, check out my post Networking for Nurses: What It Is, Why It Matters & How to Get Started
LinkedIn Message Templates for Nurses
If you're wondering how to message someone on LinkedIn without making it awkward, start with the reason you wanted to connect in the first place.
Once you know why you want to connect, writing the message gets much easier.
Keep it short, specific, and conversational. You want the other person to understand why you reached out and why you'd like to connect without feeling like they've just been assigned homework by a stranger.
Here are four common situations where reaching out on LinkedIn can make sense for nurses.
1. Someone With a Career Path You're Interested In
When to use it:
You find someone whose career path looks similar to where you'd like to go, especially someone who made a transition you're considering.
Template:
Hi [Name]! I'm an RN currently exploring a transition into [field/role], and I came across your profile while researching different career paths. I noticed you also transitioned from nursing into [role/field]. I'd love to connect and learn more about your experience.
Nurse example:
Hi Sarah! I'm an RN currently exploring a transition into clinical informatics, and I came across your profile while researching different career paths. I noticed you also transitioned from bedside nursing into informatics. I'd love to connect and learn more about your experience.
You don't have to ask for a conversation right away. Sometimes simply connecting is a good first step.
2. Someone Who Works at a Company or in a Role You're Interested In
When to use it:
You've found someone who works for an organization you're interested in or currently does a job you'd like to understand better.
Template:
Hi [Name]! I'm a nurse exploring opportunities in [field/role], and I came across your profile while learning more about [company/role]. I'd love to connect and hear more about your experience in the field.
Nurse example:
Hi Michael! I'm a nurse exploring healthcare technology roles, and I came across your profile while learning more about implementation work at [Company]. I'd love to connect and learn more about your experience in the field.
Notice that you're not asking them to get you a job. You're simply opening the door to a conversation.
3. Someone Whose LinkedIn Content You Found Helpful
When to use it:
You've read a post, article, or other content they've shared and genuinely found it useful.
This can be one of the easiest ways to reach out because you already have something specific to talk about.
Template:
Hi [Name]! I recently saw your post about [topic], and I found your perspective on [specific point] really helpful. I'm currently [brief context], so it especially caught my attention. I'd love to connect and follow your work here.
Nurse example:
Hi Jessica! I recently saw your post about transitioning from bedside nursing into healthcare technology, and I found your advice about highlighting transferable skills really helpful. I'm currently exploring a similar transition, so it especially caught my attention. I'd love to connect and follow your work here.
And don't underestimate the value of simply engaging with someone's post first. A thoughtful comment can be the beginning of a connection without requiring you to jump straight into their DMs.
4. A Recruiter
When to use it:
You've identified a recruiter who works with the types of positions you're interested in.
Recruiters receive plenty of generic messages, so give them enough information to understand what you're looking for without sending your entire resume in a LinkedIn message.
Template:
Hi [Name]! I'm an RN with experience in [area] who's interested in transitioning into [type of role]. I came across your profile while exploring opportunities at [company]. I'd love to connect and stay on your radar for relevant opportunities.
Nurse example:
Hi Amanda! I'm an RN with experience in clinical education who's interested in transitioning into healthcare technology. I came across your profile while exploring opportunities at [Company]. I'd love to connect and stay on your radar for relevant opportunities.
If you're contacting a recruiter about a specific open position, you can mention the role directly. Just make sure you've actually looked at the posting and can explain why you're interested.
→ Need help evaluating a job posting? Check out my post, How to Tell If a Nursing Job Posting Is a Good Fit Before You Apply
Keep Your First Message Simple
You don't need to explain your entire career history, attach your resume, or make a big request in your first message.
Think of the first message as an introduction, not a sales pitch.
Your goal is simply to start a conversation.
What Happens After You Send a LinkedIn Message
You've written the message, checked it twice, and finally hit Send. Now what?
The answer depends on what happens next.
They Accept and Respond
Great! This is your opportunity to have an actual conversation.
If they answer your question, respond naturally and keep the conversation going. You don't need to immediately ask for a call or another favor. Start by engaging with what they shared.
If the conversation develops naturally, you can eventually ask whether they'd be open to a brief conversation about their experience.
They Accept but Don't Respond
This is extremely common.
Someone may accept your connection request because they're open to connecting but simply don't have time to respond to every message. You don't need to assume you've done something wrong.
You don't need to immediately send another message asking whether they saw your first one. If they don't respond, give them space and move on.
They Don't Respond at All
Not every message will get a response. People miss messages, aren't active on LinkedIn, or may not have the time or interest to start a conversation.
Don't take it personally, and don't keep sending messages.
You can move on, continue building other connections, and try again with someone else.
Networking isn't about getting a response from every person you contact. It's about creating opportunities to connect with people who are willing and able to engage.
How to Follow Up After a LinkedIn Conversation
Once a LinkedIn connection turns into an actual conversation, following up becomes much more natural.
You don’t need to create an elaborate networking strategy. Just pay attention to what happened and follow up accordingly.
If You Talked by LinkedIn Message
If someone took the time to answer your questions through LinkedIn messages, be sure to show appreciation at the end of the conversation. A simple ‘thank you’ for their time or knowledge goes a long way.
If they gave you particularly helpful advice, you can always reach out in the future when you have a genuine reason to reconnect.
For example:
Hi [Name]! I wanted to let you know I took your advice and signed up for [course/program/project]. I really appreciate you pointing me in that direction!
If You Had a Phone or Video Conversation
A brief thank-you afterward is a nice way to close the loop.
Hi [Name]! Thank you again for taking the time to talk with me today. Your perspective on [specific topic] was really helpful, especially your advice about [specific takeaway]. I appreciate you sharing your experience with me!
Keep it specific. Mentioning something you actually discussed makes the message feel genuine rather than like a copied thank-you note.
If You Want to Stay Connected
You don't need to regularly message someone just to “maintain” the connection.
LinkedIn gives you plenty of low-pressure ways to stay in touch:
Like their posts when you genuinely find something useful or interesting.
Comment on their posts when you have something relevant to add.
Congratulate them when they share a new role, certification, accomplishment, or other update.
Share something relevant if you come across an article, resource, or opportunity that connects to a conversation you've had.
Follow their work and pay attention to what they're learning, sharing, or working on.
You don't need to turn every interaction into a conversation or ask for something in return. And if you eventually have a specific reason to reach out directly, you can always send another message.
Networking doesn't have to mean constantly reaching out. Sometimes staying connected and paying attention to what someone is doing is enough.
Networking on LinkedIn Doesn't Have to Be Awkward
Reaching out to someone on LinkedIn doesn't have to feel awkward or overly formal. Find someone you have a genuine reason to connect with, keep your first message simple, and let the relationship develop naturally from there. You don't need to know exactly where a connection will lead before you make it.
If you're interested in exploring what nursing career paths might be a good fit for you, take the Nursing Career Direction Quiz. It can help you identify career directions to explore based on the type of work, flexibility, and career experience you're looking for.
Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, financial, or psychological advice. Always consult with qualified professionals regarding your unique needs and circumstances.