Navigating the job market: strategies for locating a nursing job

Powerful interview

Once you have accomplished the nursing job application process and gone to your interview, take a while to organize for the interview.

• Search the organization’s website to study its mission, values, press releases, and other background information. You can mention essential information through the conversation.
• Find out concerning the interviewer by viewing their LinkedIn profile.
• Network with individuals who have worked within the organization to collect information concerning the company’s culture, strengths and areas for improvement.

First impressions matter, so dress professionally, shake hands firmly, make good eye contact and smile. “Let your personality come out,” Cardillo said. “Recruiters are not looking to hire someone to fill an open position, but rather someone who is friendly, has good communication skills and expresses an interest in working at the facility.”

He encourages candidates to send a thanks note after the interview.

Applying for a specialization in nursing

If you might be concerned about pursuing a specialty in nursing, consider scheduling an informational interview with someone working in your area of ​​interest. Specialized nursing associations even have web sites with beneficial information. If you currently work in a facility, you possibly can ask the specialist department manager if it might be possible to swim or transport people to search out out more about your recent role.

“It’s also beneficial to the hospital because managers can call on that nurse if the unit is understaffed,” said Marshall Blue, DNP, RNC-NIC, CNL, director of pediatric services at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton, California.

Licensed nurses can apply for internships in hospitals to study specialties, which allows them to work with experienced nurses.

“An outside internship increases the chances of being hired within the unit,” said Blue, who has hired all the skin staff who’ve worked in his unit.

While some nurses have a selected specialty in mind, others unexpectedly discover a passion for that specialty.

“Positions may become available in areas such as nursing informatics, operating room or hospice, and sometimes you can shadow job openings to try a new specialty,” Cardillo said.

Negotiating salary

Once you will have a job offer, chances are you’ll give you the chance to barter your salary. “It depends on the organization,” Salazar said. “Some unions set wages, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.”

Nurse recruiters will know whether salary or other advantages – similar to tuition reimbursement, medical insurance packages and day off – are negotiable.

“If salary is negotiable, we typically ask candidates what they think about salary that we could potentially take back for consideration,” Salazar said.

Salary negotiations are typically less likely for brand new nurses.

Networking at profession fairs, conferences and skilled association meetings is a beneficial strategy when trying to find a job since the people you meet could have inside knowledge about opportunities. It’s also a very good step to create a LinkedIn profile you could send to recruiters or other job contacts.

While recent nurses may don’t have any prior experience, listing customer support positions on a resume, similar to in retail, restaurants or grocery stores, shows that the candidate knows methods to conduct himself locally, King said.

New graduates searching for work of their communities can describe their sense of connection and history in the world.

“If you were born and raised in a diverse community, remind yourself of how you know the area is diverse and how you plan to improve the health of the community,” Blue said.

New graduates searching for work will find that demand is especially high within the medical-surgical departments of many hospitals. Salazar noted that recent nurses often prefer immediate specialization, but she encourages them to think about starting in medical-surgical units to achieve basic nursing skills first.

“Nurses can specialize at any point in their career,” she said. “New graduates who are open to careers in medical surgery or telemetry will find they will gain a more well-rounded experience with skills that will be applicable no matter where they decide to specialize next.”