Trends in nurse recruitment

Before you increase your efforts to recruit nurses, it’s important to understand current healthcare trends. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for registered nurses is expected to increase by 6% between 2023 and 2033. 

If you’re dealing with a nursing shortage, consider offering at least one of these options to attract and retain qualified candidates:

• Competitive compensation
• Flexible schedules
• Remote work opportunities
• Rewarding career pathways

“If you are open to hiring nurses regionally or nationally, consider connecting with nationally recognized professional nursing associations. Many specialty nursing associations have career centers online where employers can recruit and post open positions.”

—Michelle Hensley, DNP

12 tips for recruiting nurses

The current employment outlook for nurses is very strong, which means qualified candidates can be selective in their choices. As a manager, that means using all available tools to attract, screen and interview prospective hires. Implementing these nursing recruitment strategies can help employers attract high-quality candidates:

1. Perform a thorough job analysis

A key part of nurse recruitment is understanding which skills are required for the position you’re trying to fill. Before posting a job description, identify both the technical and soft skills needed for the role. This could require input from nurses within your organization, other nurse managers, physicians and specialists.

States may have different licensure and certification requirements for certain nursing roles, so it’s important to ensure you are familiar with your state’s board of nursing regulations. Consider analyzing similar jobs at other organizations in the area to compare required skills, certifications and compensation.

2. Write detailed job descriptions

It’s important to craft clear job descriptions so nurses can find jobs that match their skills, interests and professional goals. A detailed job description helps attract nurses who meet your organization’s requirements, making it easier to short-list candidates for each open position. In some cases, job descriptions can make it easier for applicants to find you via search engines.

These tips can help you create a high-quality nurse job description:

• Create an accurate job title: Nursing job titles can be as simple as registered nurse or more descriptive to indicate whether the position is part-time, full-time or contract-based. You may also include the specialty area, such as neonatal, surgical, psychiatric or community-based nursing.
• Develop a straightforward job summary: Job seekers typically look for specific details about the role before deciding to submit their resumes. Start with a one-sentence description of your organization, followed by a brief overview of the position and work environment.
• Outline the role’s duties: Write a bulleted list of the day-to-day tasks the nurse can expect to perform, including patient demographics and job responsibilities.
• Detail credential requirements: If you seek a nurse with specific credentials, be sure to list those requirements in your job description. For example, if you’re looking for applicants with a graduate degree, be sure to mention the minimum educational requirements. Credential requirements can include education, licensure, certifications and prior experience. Note if degrees and certifications are required or preferred in the job description.
• Describe the required skills: Include a brief list of the technical and soft skills for the position. A brief one- or two-sentence summary of the skills you seek is sufficient.
• Specify the job location: Be sure to specify the location of the primary work site, as many job seekers perform location-based searches. Include the city, county and state to cover all location-related search parameters.
• Specify the expected work schedule: Nursing positions involve different hours and shifts, and nurses often seek positions that align with their preferred schedules. Include hours per week, whether the role is full-time, part-time or per diem, expected hours or shifts—such as days, nights or evenings—and expectations for weekend or holiday shifts.

3. Partner with nursing schools

Partnering with nursing schools in your area may make it easier to find applicants who meet your organization’s needs. While nurses who are just starting their careers may lack direct experience, they have up-to-date knowledge and innovative ideas that can be valuable to your organization.

Compile a list of nursing schools within your state and beyond, especially if you’re seeking applicants with specialized training. When you establish contact with the schools, speak with a representative to learn more about recruiting nurses at job fairs, serving as an internship site for student nurses or posting advertisements on each school’s job board.

If your organization has a large recruiting budget, consider offering scholarships to local students who complete their clinical placements at one of your job sites. Good scholarship opportunities may help convince new grads to pursue full-time employment with your organization rather than with one of its competitors.

4. Expand your search radius

It’s common for nurses to commute from nearby cities or move from other states to pursue employment opportunities. This is especially true for nurses with advanced degrees or who want to work with specific patient populations. For example, a nurse who wants to work with newborns may be willing to move near a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit.

To make it easier for these nurse candidates to find you, consider cross-posting job descriptions on regional job boards.

5. Add salaries to your job posting

Competition for healthcare professionals is high, and nurses often have multiple offers to consider. Including the salary range in your job posting is a great way to help prospective applicants determine if your job opening is a suitable match for their needs. This can help streamline your hiring process by focusing on highly interested candidates. If the position’s listed salary range is competitive, this may encourage top candidates to apply.

6. Market other company benefits

While offering competitive wages helps attract quality candidates, money isn’t the only thing that matters to nurses. In a highly competitive labor market, your organization needs ways to set itself apart from other opportunities.

When recruiting nurses, focus on how your organization treats its employees. Highlight perks you offer, such as annual training allowances, parking passes, substantial paid time off and career advancement opportunities. If you offer flexible work schedules, tuition reimbursement or other benefits, be sure to mention them in your job descriptions.

7. Optimize your online nursing recruitment strategies

Posting your job ad on Indeed is a great way to reach a broad audience, but you can expand that reach even further by using other online tools. If your organization isn’t active online, consider setting up a reputable website and accounts on major social media platforms. You can use these accounts to:

• Post press releases
• Announce major fundraising initiatives
• Highlight patient and staff success stories
• Link to your Indeed job postings

8. Experiment with nursing job boards

One benefit of using online job boards is that nurses everywhere can access your job listing. If your organization is in New York, nurses across the country can review your ads and decide whether to apply or look for opportunities closer to home.

Post on nurse job boards to maximize your return on investment. Career-specific job boards tend to attract repeat visitors, making them useful tools for nurse recruiters.

9. Attend industry events

Attending industry events allows you to meet nursing professionals from many different backgrounds, making it easier to understand what they expect from employers. If you have the budget, consider attending at least one of these events per year:

• Job fair: Attending a job fair provides an opportunity to connect with dozens, perhaps hundreds, of prospective employees in just a few hours. Create a positive impression by introducing yourself, explaining why they might consider applying for one of your job openings and handing out branded merchandise.
• Nursing conference: Attending nursing conferences can help you network with and informally evaluate potential candidates. For example, if you watch someone give a presentation, you can assess their nursing knowledge and communication skills. Many conferences host expositions where organizations can set up booths and showcase job openings.
• College career fair: Many colleges have career fairs at the end of each semester, allowing students to explore employment options. If your organization hires graduate nurses, runs a cooperative education program or has a graduate nurse residency program, make it a priority to attend these events.

10. Implement a referral program

Starting an employee referral program is a great way to connect with prospective employees without hiring additional recruiters. Typically, a referral program gives current employees an incentive to refer friends, family members and acquaintances to your organization.

If you choose to implement a referral program with a bonus incentive, be sure to define your terms clearly. For example, if a referral becomes a new hire, the referring employee receives their referral bonus only if the new hire remains with the organization for a minimum amount of time.

11. Update your career website

To attract high-quality applicants, provide up-to-date information about your organization, including current job openings and benefits. It’s also helpful to highlight recent nursing initiatives, such as streamlining nursing documentation or offering virtual nursing opportunities.

An effective website has these components:

• Mission and vision statements
• List of benefits available to nurses
• Testimonials from current and past employees
• Detailed job descriptions
• Calendar of events
• Video tours of hospital units

12. Craft relevant interview questions

When you recruit nurses, it’s important to ask job-specific questions rather than generic questions that could apply to a career. Asking the right questions makes it easier to distinguish between an acceptable candidate and an excellent candidate.

Consider asking these nursing interview questions:

• Why did you decide to pursue a career in the medical field?
• What field of nursing are you most interested in?
• Can you tell me about a time you experienced conflict with a patient, peer or supervisor? How did you handle it?
• How do you envision yourself advancing your career? What career goals would you like to set for yourself, and when would you like to accomplish these goals?
• If two patients use their call buttons at the same time, how do you prioritize their needs?