What is the status of job outlook for nurses right now? Some reports say there is an epidemic of nursing shortage presently going on. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing enumerated on their Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet several indicators of this problem. One indicator is based on the March 9, 2012 report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is said that more and more hospitals and health care facilities have already added more than 45,000 new jobs last February 2012. If so, how come hundreds if not thousands of nurses are still unemployed?
In a recent survey conducted by the American Society of Registered Nurses, more than 40 percent of newly licensed nurses still don’t have a job even if it has been more than a year since they have graduated from nursing schools.
Several factors have been considered including the required entry level of most hospitals. Another alarming factor is focused on the process of hiring new nurses. Most hospitals nowadays require experienced nurses. But the question is, how can you gain such experience if nobody is willing to give you this experience?
While the reality is looming in the nursing industry, new nurses can still hold a stand and get their most anticipated nursing jobs. While on that process, it is equally important to grow their qualifications so they can be competitive in their field.
How can you be most competitive? Information is worth its weight in gold so it’s important to go right to some of the best sources.
Current Realities for Nurses
It’s rough out there, especially for new nursing grads. Bobby Gipson, Senior National Recruiter – North America with Career Connexions, a third-party recruiting firm in Jacksonville, Fla., confirms that a small percentage of new nursing grads are being hired because it’s all about experience right now. However, nursing students and new grads can and should take proactive steps!
Nursing students must gain experience while they are in school and establish themselves as a valuable and visible contributor in the eyes of hiring managers. Students and grads should seek out organizations that invest in succession planning and strive to hire and train new nurses each semester. Savvy recruiters and HR professionals recognize the need for adequate planning and strive to stay competitive despite limited resources.
Elmerissa Sheets, Nurse Recruiter with Sharp HealthCare in San Diego, Calif., sees experienced RN’s coming back into the nursing field, holding off on retirement, or increasing their hours. As the economy and job outlook for other industries improve, experienced RN’s will be able to cut back their hours or go into retirement, if desired. However, she adds, Even experienced RN’s don’t have the luxury of being as choosy with shifts due to the lower vacancy rate”.
Competitive Nursing Resumes
Resumes for non-healthcare jobs often focus on experience over education. By contrast, minimum nursing education requirements must be met without exception. Mr. Gipson supports this, saying nurse resumes must be very specific about qualifications and specialty areas.
The most requested requirements needed in the job descriptions are Licensure/Certifications. i.e., RN or title license number in the state of opportunity, BLS-Basic Life Support, ACLS-Advanced Cardiac Life Support, BC-Board Certified, and of course the degrees in nursing, BSN, MSN, etc, Mr. Gipson says. Essential qualifications should stand out on page one. For new grads, providing detailed, impactful statements about clinical experiences can make a big difference.
Professional-looking resumes and cover letters are paramount for greatest visual appeal and persuasion. Don’t assume clinical experience should speak for itself.
Ms. Sheets contends that in this job market, the candidate must present themselves in the best possible light. Resumes are reviewed in mere moments so it is very important to conduct research and incorporate findings into application materials. Tessa Linsman, Nurse Recruiter with SSM Healthcare in St. Louis, MO adds that recruiters look for a stable work history, no job jumpers.
Resume specificity is critical; generic materials just won’t cut it. Eliminate typos and related errors. Pay close attention to submission guidelines; many electronic applicant tracking systems can only handle materials that are text-based, produced in MS Word, or in pdf format.
Recruiting for Nurses Across Different Health Care Environments
Mr. Gipson reports that nursing homes and community health agencies do not publicize their needs as much as the hospitals do. They’re usually done on a local level or though local postings to minimize or negate relocation expenses. He suggests this may be a better starting point for new grads.
Ms. Sheets points out that there is a difference with recruiting for non-acute versus acute settings and that the managers seek different skill sets for the specific areas. Usually, the new grads are lining up for the more sought out departments such as Labor and Delivery and ICU and ER which are more competitive to find new grad positions in. There are instances that the new grads and the RNs new to the U.S. find employment more readily in the nursing homes versus the hospital unit.
Community Health is similar to Home Health; experience is preferred as nurses work independently and must be able to make critical decisions without any immediate backup. An RN has to feel very comfortable with his/her assessment and evaluation skills, embracing a high level of autonomy.
Level of independence and autonomy varies widely in Corporate Nursing positions where partnering effectively with medical providers, communicating regularly with patients, and controlling costs are core objectives.
Nurse recruiter positions often require Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Nursing, licensure, a minimum of 2-5 years of nursing experience, plus interviewing experience and sales skills.
Discussion question: What avenues are you exploring, as a new or experienced nurse, to maximize your nursing job search efforts?