Virginia Nurses Today 2_20

Page 16 | February, March, April 2020
Virginia Nurses Today | www.VirginiaNurses.com
How to Write the Perfect Elevator Speech
An elevator speech is a brief, concise speech that tells who you are, what you
do, and what you want to achieve!* Use them to answer the questions “What do
you want and why should I care” in one minute or less. The goal is to plant a
seed of curiosity so as the elevator doors (real or metaphorical) open, the listener
says, “Tell me more.”
Elevator speeches should be short (30 seconds to one minute in many cases),
specific, and memorable!
Why are Elevator Speeches Useful to Nurses?
Any time you need to influence someone, you can use an elevator speech!
They are useful during job interviews, salary negotiations, performance reviews,
and in your LinkedIn profile or other social media to let everyone know what you
do for a living. We have found that a good elevator speech is particularly useful
when speaking with your legislators in support of nursing legislation.
Components of an Elevator Speech
When speaking with your legislator about issues related to nursing practice,
it is important to make sure your message is clear and that you avoid using
healthcare-specific jargon, as most legislators do not work in this field!
The Story and Key Data
The story/key data is where you can either use facts to enhance your
message or you can tell a personal story that relates to the problem you’re trying
to solve....or both! It’s important to remember that if you’re using data or facts,
you should be able to provide their reputable source. If you’re telling a personal
story, choose one that will leave a lasting impact.
The “Ask”
The “ask” is perhaps the most important part of your elevator speech! This
is what you’re asking the listener to do. It might be an action you want them to
take, a position you want them to agree to, or even a candidate you’d like them
to vote for! Your ask should be clearly stated and easy to understand.
Examples
Issue: Protecting the Title of Nursing
Patients and families rightfully expect that health professionals who hold
themselves out as a nurse have received the legally required education and
training. To ensure this, we must maintain existing protections in the Code of
Virginia so that non-nurses are prohibited from using the term “nurse.”
The Message
The message is your main point or problem you’re trying to solve. You’re
stating what fact you’d like your listener to take away from your interaction.
Nurses Wanted
At Southside Regional Medical Center (SRMC), we
believe that nurses are at the heart of healthcare.
Located about 25 minutes south of Richmond in
Petersburg, VA, SRMC is a 300-bed medical center
whose volumes are growing year after year. A
newer facility, advanced technology, award-winning
service lines and education assistance to further
professional growth are just a few of the reasons our
nurses say they like working here.
For information about job opportunities,
call 804-765-5790 or visit SRMConline.com.
Current Openings Include:
• Med/Surg (General, Oncology,
Post-Surgical, Telemetry)
• Behavioral Health
• Emergency Department
• Free Standing Emergency
Department
• ICU/CVICU
• OR/CVOR
Sign-on bonus for select positions
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Minorities/Females/Vets/Disabled