Why is it so slow to get hired as a new nurse?

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jul 31, 2017

There is no nursing shortage. There is never a shortage of nurses. What occurs is a boom-and-bust cycle where there are lots of vacancies because nurses have left their practices over horrible working conditions, never to return. Their jobs are filled, sometimes by new grads, sometimes by nurses from other countries. Then there's a period of little movement until working conditions start to decline again and nurses quit. This cycle occurs in parallel with an economic cycle where there's money for recruitment and new positions, which eventually peters out. Then comes the austerity measures with layoffs, vacancies sitting unfilled and workloads piling up. That's where we are now. That doesn't help you at all, but it's why you're still unemployed.

Another thing you should know is that filling vacancies is never an urgent process, no matter how crazy the workload. It usually takes months from submission to letter of hire. And too, just because a vacancy has been posted doesn't mean they actually plan to hire someone to fill it. They may have a contractual obligation to post vacancies, with no coincidental obligation to hire.

Career Columnist / Author · Aug 6, 2017

It can easily take 3-6 months or longer for a new grad to land a job, depending on geographical area.

You face an extra challenge because you graduated 2 years ago, and you will need to be persistent and strategic in your job search.

Networking and individualizing your resume and cover letter to each potential employer are going to be very important for you. Here's an excerpt from my book (link below) , which is written for someone just like you:

Networking

Landing a job is a multi-pronged approach, one of which is not high tech. It's networking. Many nurses believe the 5 Myths of Networking and they are simply not true.

Activate your contact list by letting everyone you know you are looking for a job. Do you have any classmates or old clinical instructors working in a facility you would like to work in?

Have an elevator speech prepared so you will be ready when the universe sends you a serendipitous opportunity!

It's important to strategically compose your resume by targeting each employer, and highlighting your skills. Keep in mind that it's not about you- it's about how you can solve a problem for the employer.

Tech-wise, know that many employers use application tracking software. Keywords targeted to the employer and the job requirements can be tracked.

Stand Out

To make it past the black hole of computer applications, your resume and cover letter must stand out.

Here's an excerpt from my book on the art of standing out:

Avoid dull cliches, copycat buzzwords, and overused terms, because everyone uses them, they do not help you to stand out, and they don't say anything. The reader will tune out. Instead give examples that illustrate the "detail-oriented, team playing, results-producing, ethical" kind of awesome employee you are. As a bonus, you will have also illustrated that you have excellent communication skills! Instead of saying "I'm a natural leader", say "I led a community vaccination drive for our senior class project" or "I'm always picked as jury foreman and committee chair. I enjoy the responsibility and leading others." Personal examples are memorable and make you stand out

Team player (try instead: I'm always picked to be on a team)

Results driven (try instead: I set goals for my patient to achieve by the end of shift every day, such as increasing their walking)

Strong work ethic (try instead: I had a perfect attendance record at my last job and I take pride in being punctual)

Detail-oriented (now it's your turn to try)

Prepare for your interview. Read Uncomfortable Interview Questions

For more in-depth on questions such as: Is it OK to cold-call a hiring nurse manager, and for sample resumes, check out my book.

Best wishes,