Using Recruiters as a New Grad Nurse Practitioner

[jaystyr]

Hi Everyone,

So I recently finished my Family Nurse Practitioner Program this past December and have passed my boards (AANPCB) last month. I currently live in Massachusetts, but I am looking to relocate to California (I have already applied for my nursing licensure in California) and have noticed many of the jobs posted are connected to medical recruiting sites. My question is, has anyone had success using a recruiter when finding their jobs? And what the pros and cons have been in your experience?

Especially as a new FNP, this process is very daunting. I am also considering looking at travel RN assignments in California to see if this makes the process a bit easier to find an FNP job down the road, since many facilities seem to favor local candidates. Thanks in advance for the responses!

[espress099]

I'm graduating soon and I'm in DC also looking to move to CA. Regardless of location it seems like all of the job postings are through recruiters/ locums positions and its frustrating. I contacted 2 of them, but they kind of give you the run around, want all your info and offer little in return. One recruiter told me that as a new grad pretty much the only job through them would be home health. I told them I don't want home health but that's pretty much it. He still emails/texts/calls me kinda leading me on like there might be something else but I dont know why when he clearly told me only home health for new grads. The other recruiter won't tell me anything because I'm not licensed yet. I just feel like they're so vague as to what's out there it's frustrating (esp after I've given them all my info etc).

I'm curious to see what others say about this topic.

[It's like a Vit C]

When I first graduated as a pmhnp I was contacted by multiple recruiters promising all types of jobs in all different states. Some of them were pushy and just wanted info. Some of them would never call/email you back. Some of them would get your name wrong or forget who they are talking to because they are making so many cold calls and have so much people on their radar or workload. Then I got in contact with a recruiter who I actually felt like I could trust. It was this person that actually got me the job I have now. The experience working with him was actually quite pleasent and he helped me contact the proper people to arrange interviews, assisted in salary and benefit talks, and kept me posted on their impressions of me throughout the interview process. Moral of the story is that most jobs you find posted on job sites like indeed or monster are going to be posted there through recruiters. Some recruiters are just horrible and some are great. It's trial and error, but not all recruiters are bad.

[jaystyr]

Thank you both for your replies. I have had a couple of recruiters not get back to me at all and another couple get back to me right away and the process has been going relatively well. Currently still in the interview process. So far the job sounds like a great fit for what I am looking for.