The Truth About Nurse Recruiters - Bonus or Bogus

Employment advertisements are flooding our newspapers, newsletters, nursing journals, e-mails, and even our private mail. The ads seem to be saying that the employer can make all our dreams come true. How can I tell which job is really the best for me? Nurses Announcements Archive Article

The Truth About Nurse Recruiters - Bonus or Bogus

Every ad claims that the employer has the best working conditions; the best staffing ratio; the best educational program; the best flexibility; the best benefits package; the best pay; etc; etc; and above all offers the best sign-on bonus. If everyone claims to be the best, what is the truth?

It appears, from the overwhelming number of help-wanted ads and direct mailings, that my knowledge and skills are really valuable. The incentives offered by these employers, seem to be what I've been looking for. That makes me feel good; like I'm finally being noticed. But are these just more promises and what do they really mean by the best? A closer look at the "real world" of Nurse Recruiters might open my eyes to the facts. How transparent are their tactics?

A Recruiter is in the unenviable position of building a skilled workforce in the critical field of health care where there is a limited pool of nurses. He is using every Public Relations Method, Human Resource Management Technique, and Advertising Tool that he can lay his hands on in order to meet the manpower need of his Facility. In the advertising world, claiming to be the best, do the best, and give the most, makes the help-wanted ad look appealing, but may lack real meaning. There is no way to measure the claim to be "the best".

How about the bonus? As it turns out, by any measurement, the bonus is actually a superficial benefit, a "Bogus Bonus"; deferred compensation. It is a great employee retention tool designed for the benefit of the employer. Instead of immediate payment for an employee's services, the company retains the money for a predetermined period of time to retain the employee. I like the benefits in all their forms, but which one is best for me? What kinds of benefits am I really looking for?

My Ideal Nurse Designer Package Would Look Something Like This

  • I want to be able to have some control over the number of hours that I work.
  • I want to be able to choose the kind of work that I do.
  • I want my employer to treat me, as a professional, with respect and fairness.
  • I want to be able to count on the support of my employer and know that I am appreciated.
  • I want to be able to talk to someone when I need a sympathetic ear.
  • I want to have the satisfaction of using the skills that I have learned.
  • I want to be able to add to those skills by having interesting assignments and learning experiences.
  • I want to participate in continuing education.
  • I want to be paid a fair professional wage, which is not eaten up by taxes.
  • I want to be able to prepare for future retirement through an employer-based plan.
  • I want to know that there are insurance plans available.

Therefore, I will plan to take certain steps to protect my interests.

My Ideal Employment Negotiations Would Go Something Like This

Since trusting to memory is the most unreliable way to conduct business, I will take specific actions before accepting a job offer. The details of the terms and conditions of my employment will be negotiated in an objective, non-confrontational manner by an Agent of my State Nurses Association. I will be happy to pay a fee for this service since it will give me the peace of mind that the terms and conditions of the employment agreement cannot be changed or conveniently forgotten at the whim of my employer or myself. It will be written, signed, and in my employment file. Since this employment agreement is important to me, I will be sure to keep a copy for myself.

Yes, I may be dreaming, but, I have the hope that someday there will be those who recognize the need for nurses to be represented by an Agent at the Nurse Recruiters' and Human Resource Specialists' negotiating tables. With well-planned terms and conditions already agreed to, the relationship between the employer and myself would be secure. Threats and intimidations would be a thing of the past. Will the time come when I will be able to find an Agent in my State Nurses Association or will I find an Agent at a Nurse Talent Agency?

Understand the truth that today's Nurse Recruiter is just doing his job. It is ultimately the responsibility of the job seeker to remove the rose colored glasses, see the reality and assess what is being offered, identify the pros and cons, and once satisfied with the employment package, get it in writing.

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43RN20

About 43RN20

I'm an RN who now works as an Executive Director of Medical Staffing Co. I worked in OB, ER, M/S, Supervision - Acute care.

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Wow, this is excellent.

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Specializes in not sure yet..

I am a graduating nursing student and your article will sure help me in my future job hunting.. I am still clueless about the "recruitment" thing but i am aware they exist... thanx for posting the article coz somehow it had made clear the questions i have in mind in choosing the right job offer someday... God bless!

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Thanks, mind boggling.

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Specializes in CCU, Geriatrics, Critical Care, Tele.

Wow, an excellent article! Thanks for sharing! Very good tips!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I hadn't really thought about "getting an agent" before. It's an interesting idea. I just used a friend who runs a used car lot in other state to help me find and purchase a used car. He made the first contact with the local dealer, discussed the car's condition and price, etc. In other words, he acted as my agent.

We should have them in nursing, too.

Good idea.

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I would like to say this

I am a Nurse recruiter and find this article not to be the whole truth. I have been in the business some years and works with several candidates and clients nationwide.

The first thing that grabbed my attention in this article was the bogus bonus. I do know that some of the hospitals I work with do offer a sign on bonus. This is paid out usually in a length of time over a year or two. why? do to the fact if you are a hospital hiring nurses and offering them say $10,000 sign on bonus, paying for them to move thier belongings and thier family to another state, it would be a huge waste of time for both sides should the hospital tell RNwannajob that come work for us we will give you $10K and have them walk out the door in 30 days.

My services are free, I am an independent recruiter who works for the candidates to make sure they get what the company says they will get when they are offered . NOT ALL recruiters are sneaky to say the least. if this article writer was to know of us independent recruiters we are just that. we do not work for BIG hospital corporations, we work for ourselves, so that means we have more time for our candidates to work with them one on one. to make sure the candidate is happy in his/her next careeer choice.

thank you for your time

Deb

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Specializes in OB, ER, M/S, Supervision - Acute care.

Just a quick response. My comments were not meant to offend Nurse Recruiters. I am one myself. Actually, I want to be an advocate for nurses which makes me a Nurse Agent Wanna-be. I was a little confused by the statement that your services are free; yet you say you work for yourself as an Independent. The article was not meant as a complete study of the entire Industry. However, it does identify some of the issues that I would like to share since not all Recruiters are Independents whose primary goal is to protect the interests of the nurses.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

A+++++++ and the truth!

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Specializes in OB, ER, M/S, Supervision - Acute care.

I'd love to be an Agent representing nurses in their job searches. I'm just not sure that RNs are ready to place a value on such a service, yet. But, thanks for the grade you were so kind to publish.

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yeah right. we really have to chose well with these employers before signing in any contract. because once we've signed-in its difficult to back out. knowing what we want could help us determine what to pursue and that is to go for employers who fulfill what they promised.

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Specializes in Psych, hospice,homecare, admin., Neuro,.

Frankly I feel we should have all those things and more. Why shouldn't we be entitled to the same perks as CEO's. Maybe there wouldn't be such a nursing shortage if they would think more on those lines. Something has got to change this shortage is just getting worse and I refuse to work under poor conditions.

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