Searching for a job is usually accompanied by anxiety. Furthermore, as with any task, the hardest part is getting started. Whether you're a recent nursing school graduate or a seasoned professional looking for new opportunities, we'll help you begin your journey to find registered nurse (RN) jobs near you with this resource guide.
For graduates, finding your first job after passing a nursing program, the NCLEX, and obtaining your license is an exciting way to implement your academic learning and gain hands-on experience in clinical settings—besides the placements you participated in as a student. For those already working in nursing or who may be returning after a break, finding the right fit in a nursing job is essential to your happiness and overall well-being.
If you're intimidated by job searching, put your worries aside. In this blog post, we'll share Nursa's top tips for RNs on where to find jobs, including travel and part-time jobs. From networking in person to using apps to find high-paying, local nursing job opportunities, including per diem shifts, we'll provide a list of recommendations that you can leverage regardless of your nursing specialty and location. Keep reading to learn more.
How to Prepare for Your Job Search
Before sending your resume to potential employers, you must be well-prepared to avoid disqualification during recruitment. Here are a few tips to ensure you're ready to begin job searching:
- Ensure your nursing license is up-to-date: This includes any nursing license or certifications for the states where you want to work or within a specialty you'd like to work in, if applicable.
- Polish your resume: Create a compelling resume highlighting your nursing experience, skills, and certifications. For ideas on how to structure your resume, refer to Nursa's blog post on resume tips for new grads and seasoned nurses. This post includes suggestions on formatting your resume, tailoring your wording to the job you are applying for, ensuring uniformity in your writing style, and more. If you have experience with PRN work, be sure to leverage this in your resume, drawing on these tips on how to build a nurse resume with PRN work.
- Clarify your ideal job criteria: As you begin your search, you should know what you're looking for. Are you seeking full-time or part-time opportunities? Is there a specialty you're looking to practice? Are you open to relocating? What is your ideal pay range? Ranking your top priorities will help you assess each opportunity as you review the RN job description.
Expanding and Leveraging Your Network
So you've ensured your certifications are current, polished off your resume, assessed your ideal job criteria, and are ready to begin your job search. You've probably heard expressions like, "Your network is your net worth," indicating the value of knowing the right people.
You'll want to ensure you're utilizing your network when job searching. If you're worried you don't have a network, think again. Everyone has connections; it's all about strategically identifying how you can explore opportunities among yours.
Grab a pen and paper and brainstorm a list of people you know, communities you belong to, and other networks in your sphere. This list can include the following:
- Nursing students you studied with
- Nursing instructors who have taught you, both in college or university and in continuing education courses
- Associations and other professional membership groups you belong to
- Previous employers
- Mentors in the healthcare field
- Coworkers and colleagues, if you're presently employed
- Social networks, including sports teams, book clubs, or religious networks
Mapping out your network is the first step in thinking about leveraging it. Once you can identify who may have a job lead among your connections, reach out to them. Reaching out can be as simple as sending them a message or reconnecting over coffee to discuss your experience and the types of opportunities you seek. If these individuals don't know of any current opportunities, ask them to keep you in mind if they come across anything suitable and inquire whether they can connect you to others in their network.
If you're a nurse looking to expand your network further, there are plenty of opportunities. Consider joining a nursing association, attending local meetups for nurses in your area (Eventbrite and Meetup.com typically list several relevant options), or connecting with other professionals in online networks, such as Nursa's community for nurses. You can also attend a nursing conference to meet fellow nurses, employers, and recruiters while increasing your professional knowledge.
Where to Find Nursing Jobs
In addition to expanding and leveraging your personal and professional network, you can find nursing jobs in various places, from online job sites to staffing agencies. The below list will give you ideas on where you can look for suitable opportunities:
- Per Diem Nursing Apps: Nursa helps nurses find local, high-paying opportunities such as per diem registered nursing jobs. You can use the app immediately to build a profile and pick up shifts. Whether you enjoy the flexibility of per diem work, the high pay, or the opportunity to learn from various facilities, you can secure work on your terms.
- Online Job Boards: Popular job search websites list nursing jobs and often enable users to build an online profile to apply to nursing opportunities. Additionally, you can use sites like LinkedIn to connect with colleagues and peers, engage in relevant discussions, and keep abreast of professional opportunities.
- Hospital and Healthcare Facility Websites: You likely know your area's major hospitals and facilities. Conduct an online search to explore their websites in search of job opportunities. Keep your search broad to maximize your options, including clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare centers.
- Nursing Association Websites: Nursing associations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) or state-specific nursing associations can be an excellent resource for job ads. Attending their in-person events is also a perfect way to network your way into a job. Sometimes, landing an ideal nursing role is a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
- Healthcare Staffing Agencies and Recruitment Agencies: Agencies specializing in healthcare recruitment can help match you with suitable job opportunities, whether you're looking for a temporary or permanent position.
- Cold Calling and Direct Applications: Contact healthcare facilities directly—even if they don't have current job postings—to inquire about potential openings and submit your resume for future consideration.
Find out what type of RN-to-patient staffing ratios you can expect in all states.
Per Diem Nursing Jobs
Also known as PRN jobs, per diem nursing describes when a nurse contracts their services on a short-term basis to a hospital or other healthcare facility. PRN registered nurses pick up jobs one shift at a time or agree to work several shifts to cover gaps at a local facility.
Have you ever wondered, "Where can I find per diem RN jobs near me?" Whether you are looking for full-time or part-time work, including hospital RN jobs, Nursa is a leading app that will connect you to some of the best and highest-paying opportunities. Use the app to browse local shifts, including PRN RN jobs, and pick up the most convenient shifts for your schedule. There is no need to attend networking events or spend hours applying to recruitment agencies or job ads when you can fast-track the process through Nursa and start experiencing the benefits of working as a per diem nurse.
