If you love helping people, care about making a difference in the world and are good at solving problems, you’ve got what it takes to be an amazing nurse. But finding your dream nursing job can be challenging. You might not know where to start or feel like every available position is a desk job that won’t let you use your hands-on skills as much as you’d like.
You may also struggle with common fears that keep many nurses from their dream job. Maybe you think it’s too hard to find, or maybe you believe that Registered Nurse (RN) licensing and certification requirements are too strict and prevent you from being an RN unless you have a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, for example.
Of course, none of these things are true! Becoming a nurse is more than possible without a degree in nursing; any eligible individual can become an RN without meeting any specific educational criteria beyond eligibility standards set by course providers. That being said, having a degree in the subject definitely helps, and is the most common way into nursing. Did you know nursing is the UK’s most employable type of degree, with 94% of students getting a job within six months of finishing their course?
Here are some tips on how you can find and land your dream nursing job:
Research your options
The best way to find out about nursing jobs that interest you is to do some research. Find out about the different types of nurses and nursing specialties, including the nursing specialties that interest you. Research the settings where you might hope to work, the average salary and any licensure or certification requirements. At Chase Medical, we help Practice Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Community Nurses, Independent Prescribers (pharmacy), Nursing Associates, ECP’s, HCA’s and Physiotherapists find opportunities, as well as non-clinical staff, such as Medical receptionists, Practise Managers and various support roles.
Think about what you really want
Where do you want to live? What kind of work environment are you most comfortable in? What is your temperament? What are your professional goals? What is your financial situation? Think about the qualities you’re looking for in your ideal position and job. You may have certain requirements that you haven’t thought of before, or you might have a few ideas of what exactly you’re looking for in a nursing job. You can explore our vacancies page to see what appeals to you, and even apply for your dream job when you find it!
Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want
If you’re not getting in touch with hiring managers directly, you’re missing out on opportunities. If you see an open position you like, write a cover letter that makes it clear to the hiring manager that you’re the perfect fit for the job. If you’re applying to a job online, or have spoken over the phone with a recruiter and have been given the job description and application instructions, make sure that everything you submit is exactly what the job demands.
Stay in touch with your network while looking
Keep in touch with people who know you and your career goals. Let them know what you’re looking for, and ask them to keep an eye out for any job postings or positions within their networks that might be a good fit for you. They can help you find jobs that you might not have known existed. You might be surprised at how easy it is to find positions that are perfect for you. Upload your CV to our site and let the opportunities come to you. Our team are trained to understand the specific clinical setting, so they can understand your skill set and where it will fit best.
Network effectively
Always be networking, even when you have a job. If you like where you work now and want to stay there, it’s still important to make friends and meet new people. Your network can be a wonderful thing for you, and it’s always smart to stay in touch with people. Be sure to meet people in person whenever possible. It’s important for people to know what you look like when you network.
Make a deal with yourself
If you’ve tried everything you can think of to land a nursing job but you’re still not getting any bites, try making a deal with yourself. If you’ve been searching for six months without finding any jobs that align with your career goals, ask yourself if you’ve done everything you can. If the answer is yes, try offering yourself a deal: if you don’t find a nursing job in the next three months, you’ll accept the first job that comes your way, no matter what it is. You never know where a foot in the door could lead, so even a non-clinical position could be your first step to a successful nursing career.
Befriend recruiters and hiring managers
While networking, make sure you’re forming genuine relationships with the people you meet. It’s important to be able to genuinely say that you value the people you meet. If you’re looking for a job in a specific industry, there are people who are likely in charge of hiring for that industry and/or specific companies in that industry. Try to make friends and get to know these people.
Ask for what you need, but offer something in return too
If you’re having trouble getting hired and think that someone might be worried about hiring you because you don’t meet all of the qualifications for the job you want, let them know what you can offer the company. You might be surprised by how many people are willing to hire you if they know you’re eager to work and really want to be there.
Talk to people currently working as nurses about their jobs
If you’re nervous about applying to nursing jobs, or you’re worried that you won’t get hired because of your educational or licensure status, don’t be afraid to talk to nurses who are currently working in the field you’re interested in. They can let you know what it’s really like to work as a nurse in their specific position, and they can tell you if they think you’ll be a good fit.
Be proud of who you are and what you do
Don’t change who you are or try to be someone you’re not just to get a job. If you’re not getting any bites and you’ve tried everything you can think of, it might be time to reassess and make sure you’re marketing yourself properly. Ask yourself if you’ve done everything you can to make yourself a good candidate for the jobs you want. If the answer is yes, it might be time to take a step back and evaluate yourself and your brand as a job seeker. But don’t give up, the perfect role is only a few steps away and we can help you to find it.
Conclusion
There are many nurses who have found their dream nursing jobs if you’re one of them, congratulations! You’re living your dream and helping people every day. But if you’re not, you don’t have to remain in a job you don’t like. There are plenty of open positions out there, and many of them probably meet your expectations. It’s up to you to find them and get yourself hired – but we are here to help. Remember, the job search doesn’t have to be stressful, and finding the perfect nursing job for you is possible. With these tips, you can find your dream nursing job and start living your best life as a nurse.