Are you among the skilled job seeking nurses looking to establish themselves in a meaningful career? Maybe you’re a recent grad or you’ve been working as a nurse for awhile now. No matter your current status job seeking nurses who wish to further their careers have a wealth of resources available today.
Technology has paved the way for many improvements that streamline the process for today’s job seeking nurses. Networking is essential but word of mouth is no longer the only “inside track” to finding the ideal position for you.
While resources are plentiful, information on where to find them and, moreover, how to access them, isn’t readily available unless you know where to look. Here we break down the top 12 resources for today’s job seeking nurses to use to further their careers. From useful websites and e-tools to where to go for help with your resumé and the best way to network professionally we’ve got you covered.
12 Resources for Job Seeking Nurses
Yes, the job market for nurses has certainly improved in the last few years. As more nurses retire and the need for medical care grows, especially among the aging population, it may seem as though job seeking nurses have their pick of available positions. Of course the healthcare jobs market varies from state to state and region to region.
When you’re seriously searching for the ideal position for you it’s important to use every resource and opportunity available. That way you can get a leg up on the competition and make a great impression on the healthcare organizations’ hiring managers. Here are 12 tips for job seeking nurses to consider to get the job you want.
1. Craft the Perfect Resumé
Knowing how to craft the perfect resumé to land the job, or at least get your foot in the door, is an art. But it’s something you can learn with the help of some of the many online and in-person resources out there. Today’s job seeking nurses need to highlight their special skills, certification and experience and, with the increasing use of AI to scan resumés, it’s also critical to use the right words.
Don’t neglect the cover letter and never write anything generic. Research the healthcare organization to which you’re applying and draft a cover letter that’s tailored to the job and the facility.
Before you panic that your resumé won’t make the cut, invest some time in a tutorial on resumé writing for nurses. Or, better yet, reach out to a professional resumé writer who understands healthcare and the specialized hiring practices involved. Search online for a resumé writing service or reach out to a medical staffing agency for contact information.
2. Find a Career Coach Who Specializes in Job Seeking Nurses
Job seeking nurses find when they hire a nursing career coach they tend to have success in finding that perfect job. No matter your level of experience it can be challenging to navigate the professional world. To that end a nursing career coach offers just the right support and guidance you need. Consider the nursing career coach to be a mentor, an advisor and a career sherpa, if you will.
Nursing career coaches are experienced in the healthcare field and many are nurses and former nurse educators themselves. Investing in a career coach often includes professional resumé writing, practice interviewing, interview styling as well as inspiration and motivation.
3. Job Boards!
Online job boards are the go-to resource for jobseekers of all kinds, including job seeking nurses. In order to get the most out of these digital career support systems it is essential to know and understand how they work for you.
The original online job boards started out as a general source for anyone who was looking for a job. Kind of like the classified ads of old. Many now cater to niche groups like healthcare workers. Once the technology evolved many organizations adopted their own and now resources like LinkedIn, Indeed and Monster scan the internet to find available jobs according to specific categories.
Through these popular job boards nursing jobseekers can find virtually any job posted on the internet. Enter in the appropriate customizations (location, specializations, etc.) and you have an easy way to find out what’s available for you. By creating a profile on job boards and signing up for alerts you can network, upload your resumé for easy access and even be notified when something comes available that matches your qualifications.
You’ll find many of these boards post the same jobs. You may see a job listed for a CNA on Indeed and be notified by LinkedIn about the same position. We recommend you register with all of these resources. Just because there are duplicate job postings doesn’t mean the recruiting efforts are the same. AI tools vary and recruiters may screen differently with each pass.
You should also set up a separate email account for your job board contacts. That way if your information is picked up by spammers you won’t be overwhelmed with unsolicited information on your main email account.
4. Social Media
Just like job boards job seeking nurses can benefit from utilizing social media to find ways to further their careers. LinkedIn offers ways to connect with fellow professionals and people you may know. You can build quite a network through social media and as the saying goes “sometimes it’s who you know”.
Use other forms of social media as well. Connect with mentors, educators, colleagues, other healthcare professionals and like-focused individuals. You can trade information or just make the connection so when that perfect job does become available they’ll know to reach out to you.
5. Join Professional Organizations Near You
And speaking of networking, professional organizations within your community offer several benefits. They connect you with those people who can help job seeking nurses further their careers, citing a professional organization on your resumé always helps and they often offer opportunities for career development.
Professional organizations include nursing organizations, healthcare associations and even alumni organizations from your nursing school. If you’re looking for a career change these organizations are helpful resources to have.
6. Volunteer to Offer Your Services Within Your Community
Volunteering to share your nursing experience and skills to better your community is a big win when it comes to the feel-good benefits. It also offers another opportunity to network with those who can help you find the perfect job.
Finding a way to serve your community and add to your network isn’t difficult. There are volunteer programs that work with various healthcare organizations in your area. Volunteering your services helps you hone your professional skills, get to know those “higher-ups” who may know the inside track on when their organization is hiring and you’ll be doing good.
7. Explore Healthcare Facility Websites
As mentioned above most available jobs found on the internet end up posted on the job boards. However, sometimes hospitals and healthcare organizations open job postings are missed by these boards. Be sure you search the organizations and facilities websites for any job openings. You can apply directly and may get ahead of the job board candidates. You can also find out who the hiring managers are by name if they have a staff page. If there are no open jobs listed that interest you, reach out to the person in charge. It can’t hurt, right?
8. Review Websites to Learn More About The Organization
Utilize online information to find out as much as you can about the healthcare organization or facility in which you’re interested. Not only is this a great way to learn more about the workplace culture and judge whether or not it’s a good fit for you, but it also helps prepare you for the interview. Demonstrating your knowledge of the healthcare organization with which you’re interviewing makes an excellent impression.
9. Use Provider Directories
You may prefer to find a job working in a smaller clinic or doctors office rather than a large healthcare organization. One very creative way to track down potential employers in a specific area is through a provider directory.
Most hospitals offer a guide for doctors in their network and provide information regarding the practices. Use this resource to find a practice that appeals to your needs and can benefit from your skills and experience. You can often email the provider’s office or reach out by phone or drop off your resumé in person.
10. Showcase Your Soft Skills
Today’s nurses need to demonstrate the “soft skills” that are essential in patient care. Attributes like empathy, excellent communication skills, flexibility, adaptability and being an overall team player are highly valued in today’s nursing job market. In fact many hiring managers give them nearly as much weight as your clinical skills. Be sure to tout those qualities on your resumé and during your interview.
11. Create an Online Profile
Think about creating your own website to highlight your professional accomplishments and any certifications or skills that stand out. Include some short blog entries if you are so inclined and share your expertise. Do this in addition to your resumé. Potential employers often find an online presence engaging and you will absolutely stand out from the crowd.
12. Work With Medical Staffing Agencies
Partner with BOS Medical Staffing. Staffing agencies work directly with nursing recruiters and have experienced insight into healthcare placements. Your specific skills as well as your own preferences are considered in matching you with a potential employer. Because BOS Medical Staffing has a long-established relationship with countless healthcare organizations, hospitals, care facilities and so forth, we are usually their first contact when staff positions open.
If you’re relocating to a new area our staffing agency can help you with any information you need so you can get started working right away.
The Best Resource for Job Seeking Nurses
There you have it: our practical and creative resources for today’s job seeking nurses. Follow our tips on how to make the most of these ideas and available systems to support your job search. For more information or to further your career with help from BOS Medical Staffing please contact us today.
