Healthcare professionals at any stage of their careers in nursing are likely driven by the prospect of helping others. While many may turn to medical staffing agencies to find travel nurse jobs, these companies can also help an RN land full-time positions with hospitals for the long term.
To be sure, there is a current shortage of nurses, and that gap is only expected to widen as baby boomers reach retirement and require more senior healthcare, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. While this means it’s a great time for nurses to be on the job hunt, searching for healthcare careers is an involved process, especially if the nurse is currently working or doesn’t already have a direct connection to a specific opportunity.
As a result, many nurses work with healthcare staffing companies to help them with the process of finding jobs in their field. This method is proving to be a successful employment strategy among nurses because it saves nurses time and helps zero in on the jobs available with the many hospitals across the country that best match their skills and other important specifics. Reputable staffing companies also do not charge candidates for their services – another big plus.
What is a direct-hire job search?
You may hear the term “direct hire” used when you’re working with a healthcare staffing agency or interviewing with a hospital for a position. This is essentially employment with a facility in a full-time capacity versus being employed by the staffing agency as a travel nurse. When searching for an agency, it’s important to ask whether or not they are able to offer search services for direct-hire (full-time) opportunities or if they solely focus on travel nursing. A company that offers both will give you flexibility and open you up to more options.
How a healthcare staffing agency can help a nurse find a full-time job
Using a healthcare staffing agency is ideal for nurses at any level, whether they are new graduates, re-entering the job market after some time off or are currently working in travel nurse jobs. Because recruiters with staffing agencies specialize in conducting job searches, they give healthcare professionals a leg up on the competition and save a lot of time. They know where the jobs are and have the necessary connections with hospitals to help a nurse get in the door. Recruiters also take on all of the legwork, including research, resume submission, follow up, scheduling interviews, and more.
Recruiters work one-on-one with nurses to learn their personal preferences like workplace setting, location, and type of facilities, then will conduct a search based on this information. They also provide resume consultation and interview preparation.
Travel nursing can lead to fulfilling long-term positions.Qualities of travel nurses that are appealing to a hospital hiring manager
Not only do travel nurses have the opportunity to work in a variety of locations and settings, but they also gain important skills along the way. For instance, a myth about making the transition from travel nursing to a direct hire position is that “job hopping” will count against potential employees.
“Travel nursing shows flexibility and confidence.”
On the contrary, the variety that comes from travel nurse jobs actually works to employees’ benefit, as it shows flexibility and confidence. After all, travel nurses have to pick up and start fresh with each transition, which means they must adapt to an unfamiliar workplace culture, put their skills to work immediately and learn how to use the tools at that medical facility – all while settling into a new home. Truly, these jobs make a great addition to any nursing resume.
Plus, travel nurses’ varied experiences give them broader perspectives. USA Today highlighted how traveling for almost 10 years has helped Cherisse Dillard in her career as a labor and delivery room nurse. By working in hospitals across the U.S., including in Dallas; Chicago; Houston; Pensacola, Florida, and the San Francisco area, she has learned to reevaluate how she approaches even standard procedures like delivering a baby. She makes sure to ask other staff members about their preferences regarding drugs or procedures to understand the norm of each hospital.
Through this routine, she not only gains integral communication skills, but she also learns a wide variety of methods for handling a single procedure. Travel nurses transitioning to direct hire opportunities can bring that broad knowledge base to their new full-time positions.
Staffing agencies can put travel nurses in touch with the right people.How a staffing agency can help travel nurses transition to direct hire
Travel nursing is a great way to bridge the gap while searching for that ideal full-time position with a hospital. Because it involves contract assignments, generally for 13 weeks, it offers a nurse looking to settle down into a full-time job the opportunity to test out different geographical locations, communities and facilities before narrowing down personal preferences. Also when travel nurses make the decision to explore a direct-hire position, their recruiters can conduct their searches for them while they are on assignments. Recruiters can help them make a seamless transition from travel to a full-time opportunity.
Staffing agencies serve as a valuable resource for employees. After all, they have working relationships with hospitals from coast to coast. Staffing agencies are always aware of where job opportunities are in the U.S. For instance, while nurses may already know that rural areas face unique nursing shortage challenges, staffing agencies can pinpoint which locations have the greatest need for healthcare staff. Not only do staffing agencies have an up-to-date picture of the job market by geographic location, but they can also provide information on salary ranges and cost of living in specific areas.
Overall, staffing agencies provide ample opportunities for travel nurses looking for direct-hire positions. They can save healthcare workers time and money on researching companies, sending in resumes, and scheduling interviews and follow-ups.
That’s interesting that traveling can help to increase flexibility and confidence. Becoming a nurse is something that I’ve been thinking of looking into as a possible career option, and traveling doesn’t sound like a bad idea, actually. Perhaps I can search hospital staffing to talk with nurses to learn more about the field and see what it would take to get a job.
It’s not that simple to find full-time employment with a hospital, it’s somehow expensive in a way you have to spend looking for vacancies and time consuming. Staffing agencies are a excellent way to bridge this gap, they are always conscious of where there are work opportunities and have a connection from the hospitals, and they are their source of employees.
I found it interesting when you said that using a healthcare staffing agency is ideal for a nurse. It’s cool to think that there are staffing agency services for healthcare professionals. Thank you for the information on how they know where jobs openings are and have the connections to help nurses.
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