Finding a nursing job can be difficult for anyone seeking employment. Not only do you have to earn all your qualifications, but you also need to find a hospital with open positions. As it is now, nursing is one of the largest segments of the health care workforce.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 3 million jobs in the United States. There are also many ways to work your way into a nursing career, so it’s easy to become qualified. In other words, there’s a lot of competition for nursing jobs in NY and anywhere else in the country.
Here are some key tips on how to find New York nursing jobs or any “nursing jobs near me”.
As previously mentioned, there are a lot of different nursing jobs out there. If you’re wondering how to find nursing jobs in your area, try to narrow them down by your personal preference.
Are you more interested in helping out in a hospital setting, or would you prefer the smaller scale of a nursing home? There are also options to become a school nurse or a traveling nurse.
If you’re not quite sure what you’d like, keep in mind the difference between these work environments. For example, hospitals have a lot of different wards, such as physical rehab, intensive care units, and surgery.
Working in intensive care or the emergency room will often put you in contact with severely injured people who may need quick care. In contrast, the pediatric ward should rarely have to deal with life and death situations.
There’s also the option of night shifts, which come with their own set of challenges.
Read carefully to see if there are any specific requirements for the position. Many nursing jobs require you to be constantly on your feet and running around. Others may require more experience, such as nurses in an ER setting.
When searching for job openings, look for available positions on a nursing job board. Have a certain work environment in mind and plug in relevant search criteria.
Nursing jobs in NY may have higher requirements than in other states. If you’re newer to the field, you may not have the experience many positions required at the top hospitals in NYC. In that case, your career center should be able to partner with other local hospitals that will hire new graduates.
Alternatively, you could look into internships or job-shadowing programs. These allow you to build up your network and make yourself known at a location you want to work at in the future.
You can also try out for temporary, on-call positions. Hospitals rely on these nurses during staff shortages, so they won’t be too picky when hiring help.
If you’ve already built up a network, don’t be afraid to reach out to it. One of the best tips for finding nursing jobs is to network.
Inform people in your social and professional circles that you’re looking for a job. In the best-case scenario, they can help push your name to the front of the interview queue. Even if it doesn’t immediately lead to a job interview, at least you’ve reconnected with a future colleague.
Your college career center was made to help graduates get jobs. Consider them a resource in your job hunt.
Various nursing organizations and associations also exist to help support individuals advance in their profession. For example, the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) has programs that provide benefits for its members.
Social media is another great place to network. Find and attend events that your local hospital advertises on their Facebook page. Reach out to their social media team to ask questions and make new connections.
Once you’ve found a job you’d like to have, it’s time to fix up your application. Every application is made up of two main parts, including a resume and a cover letter. Some organizations will also require extra information on an online application, depending on the job requirements.
A resume should include your credentials, licenses, and relevant work history. Don’t bother going into too much detail regarding every place you’ve worked, unless those skills somehow apply to this new position. Adjust your resume accordingly for different nursing settings.
The cover letter is where you go more in-depth about your past work experience and how it makes you a good candidate. What made you decide to apply for this position? How have you made use of your skills in the past?
Finally, try to include specific keywords used on the employer’s application page, such as any language skills. The employer may search through applications for any that match up to what they’re looking for.
The worst thing you can do after an interview is assume the next contact will be from the employer. In some cases, they may forgo reaching out even to let you know they’ve hired someone else. Make sure to send a follow-up email to stay on their radar.
One way to follow up after an interview is by sending a thank you note. It shows the hiring manager that you’re excited about the job opportunity, and it’s a chance to leave another positive impression.
Alternatively, you may not get the job even if you thought the interview went well. In that case, you should still send an additional note asking for feedback. It’s a good way to get constructive feedback and tips for your next application.
Finding nursing jobs in NY doesn’t have to be a huge struggle, regardless of your experience level. As long as you network and keep applying, you’ll find something that gets you through the front door. It also doesn’t hurt to reach out to a nursing organization for some help.
Thornbury Nursing Services is a trusted provider of nurses throughout New York and Pennsylvania. We fill staffing needs in hospitals, schools, and more.
If you’re interested in registering as one of our nurses, give us a call or apply here.
