How to Recruit talented nurses

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 27, 2015

Your local Craigslist, CareerBuilder, Monster

ETA: I'm confused - what do you mean you will consider relocating for the right candidate. Meaning you will MOVE THE PRACTICE to a different city/state? How does that work?

Jules A, MSN · Apr 27, 2015

In my experience our best additions come from inside recommendations. Ask the nurses you work with who they have worked with in the past and liked. Get them onboard to recruit for you.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 27, 2015

Your local Craigslist, CareerBuilder, Monster
ETA: I'm confused - what do you mean you will consider relocating for the right candidate. Meaning you will MOVE THE PRACTICE to a different city/state? How does that work?

LOL, I'm pretty sure she means they'll ante up relocating expenses for the right candidate

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 27, 2015

Hello All!
Im hoping I'm in the right place for this! I am currently recruiting for a practice manager (for primary care) in the Las Vegas area and they need to have a clinical license, preferably RN. I am having a hard time finding someone who is licensed and would fit into our team (that gets along like family). Does anyone have any ideas of where I can look?
I am open to ideas, and we will consider relocating for the right candidate!
Let me know,
Thanks- Sydney

And with the bolded comment, you just scared off a bunch of potentials. If this is a tight-knit group ("like family") then it's a HUGE risk for someone to take to see if they will "fit" into the open position. Sounds more like a recipe for failed new hires, IMHO.

In this case, I'd think getting LOCAL recommendations, insiders who recommend known colleagues would be the best way to go. If I knew I was applying for a Practice Manager position with a group who was already something of a clique....I simply wouldn't apply.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 27, 2015

The most talented, clinically advanced and prone to think critically people have a notorious tendency , as a general rule, NOT to be the easiest and funniest to work with. With time and some (usually very much negative) experience, these people learn to avoid jobs where they wanted to become "part of the family", "express great customer service skills" and appreciate so-called "diversity statements".

If you ever heard about "key words" for resume, then please keep in mind that there are smart guys on the other side, too. Your job proposals are read and thought of, and a mention of "part of our family" will scare off many of those who were eaten alive, sabotaged agsinst and terminated just for being uncomfortably smart.

Altra, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2015

Is the compensation package you are offering competitive in your region?

Is your practice affiliated with a larger health system? If so, can you post your position on their job board?

Local newspaper (many metropolitan newspapers have linked their employment sections with large sites like Monster, Career Builder, etc.)

Does your state nurses association maintain job listings?

A couple of other points: your lack of preference for either an LPN or RN stands out to me as possibly resulting from a vague job description. And I agree with a few posters above -- the emphasis on (paraphrasing here) the "right person" who will fit into your "family" sends up a red flag that personality, rather than experience or clinical competence, is going to be the biggest driver in your hiring decision, and that can be a turn-off to professionals.

TheSpectator · Apr 27, 2015

In this case, I'd think getting LOCAL recommendations, insiders who recommend known colleagues would be the best way to go. If I knew I was applying for a Practice Manager position with a group who was already something of a clique....I simply wouldn't apply.

I agree with this. There are people who are wonderful employees out there that simply don't want to have a "family" feel with their work colleagues, and there is nothing wrong with that. I'm a fairly private person with strong work/life boundaries. I still get along with everyone very well, have fun, and do a top notch job. If you're dead set on hiring a certain personality definitely go off recommendations from people already working with you.