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Why You Aren't Getting Hired as a Nurse
Trouble finding a job?
Hamsa Ramesha | NursingLink
Frustrated by unemployment, nurses?
Job hunting is tricky business. Getting hired as a nurse is a subtle mix of the right qualifications, enough experience, interview chemistry, and a dash of luck. Assuming you’re making all the right moves and avoiding the really obvious job seeker mistakes, there are a few points to consider that could be your ticket out of unemployment.
Get out of your job search rut and back in the hospital by fixing these mistakes you might be making:
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1. Job Description
Read it. Do you meet every qualification listed? If you think you can get away by not having that extra few years of experience or make do without the requested higher degree, think again. Job descriptions are a baseline for hiring managers. With so many job applicants, recruiters are naturally going to pick the best of the best, and that means you’ve got to meet every single one of the job requirements, at the very least. But that doesn’t mean you should give up, either. If you find yourself not meeting a certain job requirement time after time, do something about it! Take a certificate course, or brush up on your bedside manner. Nothing shows dedication like taking action.
2. Word Play
It’s not enough to have a clean resume free of grammar and spelling errors; you’ve got to go that extra mile. No matter how amazing your resume looks, everything lies in the words. If the hiring manager has to decipher your resume jargon, don’t expect a call back. Phrase your nursing resume with the right keywords. Use powerful words that imply action and sell your experiences by highlighting specific achievements and accomplishments. The right health care keywords are your best bet to getting your resume on top of the pile.
3. Job Search Tactics
Browsing through the classifieds? Going through Human Resources? Looking at hospital websites for job leads? One reason your search for a nursing job may have hit a dead end is because your methods are outdated. Get with the 21st century and go online! The right social network can connect you directly with the job you want. Use Monster to find jobs in your field, post a resume and find your calling with their new Career Mapping tool, and LinkedIn and NursingLink to maintain your connections. Spread yourself out and try something new — you never know which method will work!
mosenk
almost 3 years ago
4 comments
The unemployed patients at hospitals with no health insurance is costing the hospitals. Many hospitals make up the difference by increasing the nurse patient ratios instead of hiring new nurses.
vetkinv1
almost 3 years ago
2 comments
You can't get in a grad school unless you have 1 year of working experience as Registered Nurse. I wish it would be that easy:(
BMORTON
almost 3 years ago
2 comments
I'm just beginning my nursing classes and plan to continue until I get my masters degree. Does having a higer degree help in finding a job?
kimmeymarie
almost 3 years ago
2 comments
Taking all the right steps still won't help us new grads...I've been looking for over a year and no experience = no job..plain and simple
flavic
almost 3 years ago
2 comments
Great Information!
lbsandsrnc
almost 3 years ago
8 comments
Interesting, but I have the experience, I meet the qualifications, I tailor my resume to each position, I've got a cover letter that is top-notch, but still, I'm unemployed. I've been in a specialty for over 25 years that pigeonholed me in terms of skills. I've applied for over 35 positions in my field, and can't even get to the interview process.