Nurse recruitment is facing increasingly challenging conditions, particularly amidst recent strikes and a shortage of nursing graduates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be over 200,000 projected openings for RNs each year through 2031.
As nurse-to-patient ratios become increasingly challenging to maintain, healthcare facilities and institutions are struggling to attract and retain nursing talent, making effective nurse recruitment an even more pressing concern for the healthcare industry. Below we’ll explore 21 tested tactics and strategies for recruiting nurses within this challenging landscape.
Online nurse recruitment strategies
- Utilize Online Job Boards: Post nursing job vacancies on popular job boards and healthcare-specific platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and NursingJobs.com.
- Leverage Social Media: Utilize social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to promote job openings, share employee testimonials, and engage with potential candidates.
- Targeted Email Campaigns: Send targeted email campaigns to nursing professionals on your mailing list, highlighting current job opportunities and benefits.
- Reputation Management: Continually monitor and manage your organization's online reputation to address any negative feedback and enhance your employer brand.
User experience nurse recruitment strategies
- Create a User-Friendly Careers Page: Ensure your organization's website has an easy-to-navigate and informative careers page, highlighting job openings, benefits, and opportunities for growth.
- Mobile-Friendly Recruitment: Ensure your recruitment process is mobile-friendly, as many candidates search for jobs on their smartphones. Learn more about mobile-friendly nurse recruitment.
- Streamline Application Process: Simplify the application process on your website, allowing candidates to easily submit their resumes and information.
Internal programs as a nurse recruitment strategy
- Nurse Referral Programs: Encourage your current nursing staff to refer qualified candidates in exchange for incentives, such as bonuses or recognition.
- Nurse Internship Programs: Develop nursing internship programs that offer students hands-on experience and potential future employment within your organization.
Incentive-based nurse recruitment strategies:
- Offer Sign-On Bonuses: Provide sign-on bonuses to attract experienced nurses or those in high-demand specialties.
- Competitive Compensation Packages: Offer competitive salaries, benefits, and incentives to attract and retain top nursing talent.
- Flexible Work Arrangements: Consider offering flexible scheduling, part-time options, and remote work to accommodate the preferences of a broader range of nursing professionals. This can be part of a broader flexible workforce strategy.
Collaborative nurse recruitment strategies
- Collaborate with Nursing Schools: Establish partnerships with local nursing schools and colleges to promote your job openings and offer clinical placements for nursing students.
- Participate in Career Fairs: Attend healthcare and nursing job fairs to connect with prospective candidates and conduct on-the-spot interviews.
- Utilize Nurse Staffing Agencies: Partner with nurse staffing agencies that specialize in recruiting and placing nursing professionals.
- Professional Associations: Be active in local and national nursing associations to network and connect with potential candidates.
- Utilize a Healthcare Marketplace: Partner with a healthcare marketplace like CareRev to access on-demand talent when staffing needs fluctuate.
Leveraging current employees for nurse recruitment
- Utilize Employee Advocacy: Encourage your current nursing staff to advocate for your organization on social media and share their positive experiences.
- Leverage Employee Reviews: Positive reviews on platforms like Glassdoor can significantly influence potential candidates, so encourage satisfied employees to share their experiences.
Investing in the culture of your organization as a nurse recruitment strategy
- Employee Development: Highlight opportunities for ongoing training, career advancement, and professional development in your recruitment efforts.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Promote a diverse and inclusive workplace to attract a wider pool of candidates who feel valued and respected.
Nurse staffing and recruitment has undeniably become an uphill battle in recent years, exacerbated by a growing shortage of nursing professionals and the strains placed on healthcare systems. This has left healthcare facilities wondering how to recruit nurses. The key to successfully addressing this challenge lies in listening to the needs and concerns of nurses themselves. In all of our recruitment strategies, we should be asking ourselves how we can meet nurses where they are.
By acknowledging and addressing nurses’ real concerns, healthcare facilities can not only attract top nursing talent but also create an environment where nurses feel valued and motivated to provide the high-quality patient care that is crucial to the the future of the healthcare industry.
CareRev is the flexible workforce platform purpose-built for acute care. Our technology reduces fixed costs, increases nurse engagement, and makes having a flexible workforce easy.
