You tapped “request” on the perfect shift, and refreshed the page at least 10 times between last night and this morning.
You decide to distract yourself by making a hot cup of coffee as you wonder to yourself how to get more shifts.
So how can you do it?
Without beating around the bush, here’s the direct answer: Build a complete profile, request shifts in a strategic way, and protect your reliability record.
The key is to know that facilities look at what's on your profile, and even small changes can improve your chances of being picked up for great shifts.
Nursa, for example, is a workforce management platform that enables clinicians to work on their own terms.
Nursa helps registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses or licensed vocational nurses (LPN/LVN), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), or medication aides who want single shifts, shift blocks, or in-house full-time or part-time jobs.
If you’re still pacing the kitchen waiting for that approval—fear not.
Grab your hot cup of coffee, class is in session—it’s time to learn how to get approved for shifts.
What facilities see when you request a shift
On Nursa, your profile works like your interview—except no one asks where you see yourself in 5 years.
Facilities usually review your profile before approving a request, and it should entice them and include everything they need: your experience, credentials, skills, and reliability.
How do facilities choose nurses for shifts?
They usually look for these markers:
- Photo: A real headshot, not the blank gray silhouette, so facilities can put a face to your name.
- Credentials: Make sure that your credentials match the shift's requirements, such as an active CNA license or current BLS certification.
- Experience and specialties: Show where you've worked and what you can do, go ahead and brag a little, don’t be shy.
- Attendance and timeliness: These are your show-up-and-show-on-time stats. Reliability looks good on everyone!
- Cancellation history: How often you cancel after being scheduled. Facilities see this automatically, so it’s one stat worth protecting.
- Ratings: Show feedback from facilities you've worked with (here’s hoping it’s all glowing).
Each facility sets its own requirements by shift, license, specialty, and setting.
That means that to stand out to facilities as a nurse, you start by knowing what a facility is looking for, then give them something awesome to read through quickly, and provide convincing reasons to pick you!
Don’t worry, we will dive more into this below.
Start with the Nursa Help Center
Getting familiar with Nursa's clinician policies helps new users get set up smoothly and start requesting shifts sooner.
Think of the Nursa Help Center as the instruction manual you'll actually want to read–not just to skim through casually.
It's also a handy home for per diem nurse tips straight from the source.
Here are the main areas worth reading:
- Profile setup: What to add and how it appears to facilities
- Requesting shifts: How requests work from start to finish
- Attendance policies: What facilities expect once you're scheduled
- Getting paid: How and when you receive payment
Heads up: License upload and background check steps come before your first approved shift.
Better to knock those out early than to find a perfect shift and realize you're missing a step.
Check the Nursa Help Center for the current requirements.
Build a strong Nursa profile
A complete profile helps facilities get to know you and see why you might be a great fit before you ever shake hands in person.
Think of your Nursa profile as your first impression, with one big advantage: you can polish it anytime.
Here's how to build a strong nursing profile in a few simple steps.
1. Add a professional photo
You don’t need a glamour shot for your professional profile, but it shouldn’t look like you just came home from a sweaty run, or a night of dancing—get it?
Did you know that research suggests people form impressions of trustworthiness from a face in as little as 100 milliseconds?
Okay, you might be thinking, “I’m no Jessica Alba or Liam Hemsworth,”
But your profile photo isn’t about looking like a celebrity. It’s about choosing a clear, professional picture that helps facilities recognize you and shows you’re ready to work.
Another note: Your cat is adorable, but it's not on the schedule. In other words, keep all pets or other objects out of the photo. You hold the stage.
Here are some other tips to keep in mind:
- Lighting: Face a window or use soft, even lighting. Think natural glow, not interrogation-room spotlight.
- Background: Keep it plain and uncluttered. Your laundry pile doesn't need a starring role in your headshot.
- Attire: Wear scrubs or professional clothing that makes you look ready to get to work.
- Recency: Use a recent photo that looks like you today. Facilities should recognize you when you walk through the door, not your filter.
2. Keep your credentials current
Add your license, certifications, and other credentials. Facilities can see how well you meet their requirements for each shift.
So, what credentials do facilities look for?
It varies by facility and unit, but common examples include basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS), and pediatric advanced life support (PALS).
Specialty certifications can also strengthen your fit for certain units.
Here's an upload tip: Use clear photos or scans where the credential name, issuing organization, your name, and the expiration date are readable. A blurry photo with your thumb over the corner doesn't help anyone.
Expired credentials can limit the shifts you qualify for, so set renewal reminders.
A continuing education (CE) tracker app can also help you keep tabs on renewals and coursework.
3. Show your experience and specialties
Add past work experience, education, and specialty expertise so facilities can match you to the right units.
For example, if you’ve worked in a long-term care facility, completed clinical rotations in a hospital, or have experience caring for patients with dementia, add those details to your profile.
Each specialty you can document can widen the range of shifts you qualify for.
Whether you're searching how to get more shifts as an RN, how to get more shifts as an LPN, or how to get more shifts as a CNA, the move is the same.
Show what you've done and where you've done it. A great resume uploaded to your profile also shows that you are serious about your commitment.
Bonus: You can additionally use your profile to apply for full-time and part-time in-house positions. Set it up once, and your experience could open doors to more than just PRN shifts.
How to request nursing shifts
Marketplaces reward clinicians who request often and strategically—keep that phrase in mind.
Here’s how to request nursing shifts with 2 simple strategies.
Request every shift that fits your schedule
How to get more nursing shifts? Treat it as a numbers game.
Request as many shifts as fit your schedule, then remove extra requests once your schedule is filled to your liking.
Two tactics make this simple:
- Overlapping requests: Once a shift is confirmed, you won’t see conflicting shift requests in the app.
- Removing requests: If you change your mind about a shift you haven’t been scheduled for yet, withdrawing your request won’t count against you.
Here’s another tip: Only request shifts you can work.
Think of a request as an RSVP, not a wish list. If you want consistency at one facility, look into shift blocks. They also build a track record that can help when you request them again.
Request last-minute and hard-to-fill shifts
Shifts that need urgent coverage nearby can improve your odds of approval. So can less popular times like night shifts, weekends, and holidays, which often draw fewer requests.
But this isn’t a hard rule. Nursa isn’t first-come, first-served.
Multiple clinicians can request the same shift, with approval based on facility needs, clinician qualifications, or automatic eligibility rules.
Either way, here's how to get last-minute nursing shifts: turn on shift alerts and respond quickly. While speed doesn't guarantee approval, it helps you catch opportunities before you miss them.
These shifts are an opportunity for more income and more approvals, not an obligation.
Nobody's asking you to become a night owl (unless you are one, then grab all the night shifts your beautiful nurse-night heart desires!).
Take what fits your life, leave what doesn’t. What a deal!
How can per diem nurses improve reliability?
Facilities can see stats on how reliably you show up, including your cancellation history.
A strong record is one of the most valuable things on your profile.
Coverage matters, too.
One study of surgical patients linked each additional patient per nurse to a 7% higher likelihood of death within 30 days of admission.
So it absolutely makes sense that facilities value clinicians who show up.
Want to know some tips on how to protect your reliability record? We got you.
Avoid cancellations and no-shows
The short answer to does canceling shifts affects getting approved? It can.
Here are some of the habits that help show you are a reliable healthcare professional who will show up when a facility needs it most:
- Cancel early: If plans change, cancel through the app as soon as you know—not an hour before.
- Know the policies: The Nursa Call Out Policy and the Nursa No-Call No-Show Policy explain what's expected when you can't make a scheduled shift.
- Lock your calendar: Once a shift is approved, add it right away.
However, if a facility cancels a shift, it doesn't count against you.
Earn strong facility ratings
Ratings carry over to future shift requests, so it pays to make a good impression.
If that means bringing mini-sandwiches, chips, and dips to the breakroom on your first day to share with everyone, so be it. (We’re kidding—ratings come from your work, not your snacks. But breakroom treats are usually appreciated.)
Here's how to earn the important brownie points:
- Arrive on time: Aim to show up a few minutes early.
- Come prepared: Arrive ready to work with minimal orientation, bring your own essentials, and know the facility's check-in process.
- Communicate: Message the scheduler if you have questions or are running late.
Want to keep your schedule in tip-top shape? You can always learn how to best manage your Nursa shifts.
Not getting approved? Check My Performance
Are you still asking yourself why am I not getting approved for shifts?
Nursa My Performance can help. Use this feature in the Nursa app to understand your standing and identify areas for improvement.
My Performance compares your profile with other clinicians in your area across factors such as facility ratings, credentials, reliability, and timeliness.
Here’s what you can review:
- Ratings: See star ratings and feedback from facilities after completing shifts.
- Attendance record: Review your shift history and track your reliability.
- Local comparison: See how your performance compares with other clinicians in your area.
Use My Performance as a built-in record of your reliability, so you don’t have to keep a separate log of your shifts.
Review each metric to spot where you could improve, whether that means updating your credentials, strengthening your attendance record, or paying attention to facility feedback.
And remember, a request not being approved doesn’t necessarily reflect your performance. The shift may already be filled, or the facility may need someone with a specific specialty or qualification.
Get more nursing shifts on Nursa
It’s time to stop hitting the page refresh 10 times in a row to see if you were approved for a shift.
Now you know what you need to get more nursing shifts on Nursa: a complete profile, smart requests, and a reliable track record, among other things, as listed above.
You already know you are a capable healthcare professional; all you need to do is put the checklist to work.
If you are not already signed up, sign up with Nursa and start building your profile today.
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