Finding the right nursing job is one of the most
important aspects of the nursing career. There are
many places and ways for nurses to find jobs. Many
nurses begin their careers where they completed
nursing school, and are offered positions before
graduation. Nurses can also find jobs through
classified advertising, both online and in
newspapers. Networking is another important way that
nurses are able to locate job openings. Finding a
job in nursing does not necessarily need to be
difficult if the nurse knows where to look.
Many nurses begin their careers working in the
location where they finished their practicum or
capstone in nursing school. Most nurses are able to
choose their capstone experience, and many elect to
work in a clinical area that they feel they would
like to specialize in. These new nurse graduates are
often offered a position right out of nursing
school. It is important for the new nurse to make a
good impression during the clinical experiences and
work as hard as if she were already employed. Many
nurses have found that they are able to gain
employment directly with the hospital or clinic
where they learned as students.
Nurses can also often locate new nursing career
opportunities through classified advertising. Many
companies and hospitals still advertise in
traditional newspaper classified advertisements,
particularly on Sundays. It is worth looking through
the classifieds to see if there are any available
positions that match the interest of the nurse. Many
companies are now looking to online advertising as
it is more cost-effective and seems to be more
effective in locating talented staff. Job boards
like CareerBuilder and Monster often have local and
national job listings for registered nurses, and
nurses can also post their own résumés to be
contacted by companies that may be interested in
hiring them.
Craigslist.org is another online classified
advertising forum that many employers have turned to
as it is free for both the employer and potential
employee to use. Many jobs are listed daily on the
healthcare section of available employment in each
city. This can also be a great way to locate
positions in new areas if the nurse is looking to
move, as positions are listed in each city of
interest. Communication is usually achieved first by
email, then by phone. Many jobs are now only listed
on the free advertising sections of Craigslist to
help employers save money in the employment process.
Networking is another important tool for locating
travel nursing jobs. Many jobs are never advertised
in classifieds, and are only known through word of
mouth. It is worthwhile for nurses to find ways to
network with other nurses in the community, or with
nurses who work in the specialty that the nurse
would like to work in. Nurses can often find out
about new or upcoming job openings simply by
listening to and talking with other nurses. A nurse
may mention that a co-worker is about to leave,
meaning that there will soon be a job available.
Without networking, a nurse might never have known
about the opening.
Finding a nursing job is an obviously important part
of the nursing career. The nurse should be open to
new ways to explore finding out about available
positions, particularly in a difficult economy.
Employers are looking for ways to save money, and
free classified advertising is among the most
popular of the job boards. Networking can also be a
great way to find out about jobs that might never be
posted as available. A nurse should always listen
and keep her options open when attempting to find
new employment.
WHAT DOES A SUCCESSFUL NURSE LOOK LIKE?
A successful nurse is someone who understands that
nursing is more than the assessments, the tasks, or
the medications we administer. Nursing can be a life
long career, a profession, and a calling. Some
nurses are extremely successful as nurses while
others struggle throughout their entire career.
Why is that?
After many years as a nurse, I’ve learned that
success has nothing to do with the school you
attended, the organization you work for, or the
credentials after your name. Success has everything
to do with adopting a success mindset and committing
to the following 10 behaviors.
1. START AND END WITH WHY
Nursing isn’t easy. There’s no way you can do what
you do day after day if you don’t know WHY you do
it. When faced with waning resources, added
responsibilities, and life and death situations,
knowing your WHY enables you to get up every day and
face those challenges head on.
2. COMMIT TO CONTINUOUS PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
The number one characteristic of successful people
is that they commit to personal development
INDEPENDENT of what their boss or organization
requires. Like the late Jim Rohn said, “A formal
education will make you a living. Self education
will make you a fortune.” My personal tactic is that
I read something instructional or inspirational
every morning without fail. I will go without FOOD
before I go without reading. Reading is more
nourishing.
3. OWN YOUR PRACTICE
There is a difference between “owning” your practice
and “renting” it. How do you tell the
difference? The “renter” walks past a
patient’s room with a call bell on and says, “Not my
patient” as she walks away while the “owner” walks
in. Owning your practice also means taking
full responsibility for yourself and your nursing
career. This includes your license, competencies,
skills, education, and behavior.
4. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
Every conversation you have with another human
either builds that relationship or tears it down.
From the housekeeper to the CEO, successful nurses
build relationships with every member of the
healthcare team. One of the most important
competencies for the 21st century is relationship
management. If you’re not good at building
relationships with others, start developing this
skill now.
5. BE THE CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL
What you wear, what you say (verbal, non-verbal, and
written), and how you behave should have the
professional stamp of approval. Nurses frequently
complain that they are not always treated with
respect as professionals. Well, truth be told – I’ve
seen my share of unprofessionalism from my
colleagues. Pay attention to how you interact
with others. Are you radiating professionalism? If
not, it’s time to kick it up a notch! Note: Unless
you work with children, please do not wear jackets
with Sponge Bob Square Pants!!
6. BE KIND
No matter what you face, always respond with
kindness. This rule applies to patients and their
families, of course, and also your coworkers,
support staff, physicians, and administrators. Oh,
students and their instructors too! When faced
with opportunity to “zing” someone, be kind instead.
Just like violence begets violence, kindness begets
kindness.
7. PRACTICE SELF-CARE
Burnout is a HUGE problem right now. More than 60%
of us report feeling burned out and exhausted. How
on earth are you going to care for the public if you
don’t care for yourself? Make self-care a priority.
Eat real foods (put down the donuts!), sleep at
LEAST 7 hours per night, and exercise your muscles
and heart (being busy isn’t exercise). 2017 is the
year of the healthy nurse, according to the ANA.
Isn’t it time the nurses become the role models for
self-care and overall wellness?
8. ADOPT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
We are born either more positive or more negative.
However, attitude is a choice. Successful nurses
understand this and when they walk across the
threshold of their work environment, they CHOOSE to
be positive independent of what’s happening in their
own lives. Positivity spreads positivity, just
like negativity does. CHOOSE to be positive.
9. VIEW HEALTHCARE USING A PANORAMIC LENS
Think beyond YOUR unit or YOUR department. See the
delivery of healthcare from a wider perspective.
It’s not just about you. It’s about the world.
10. GROW OTHERS
Help others become the best they can be. Go out of
your way to help others succeed. Like the late Zig
Ziglar said, “If you can dream it, you can achieve
it. You will get all you want in life if you help
enough other people get what they want.”
Nursing can be a wonderful profession. Nursing is
remarkably challenging yet provides us with an
opportunity to make a difference in the lives of
other people every day. Make this year YOUR year to
succeed and feel good about the work you do.
