I'm looking for a job. There's a shortage of nurses, so why can't I find a job?

There is a shortage of EXPERIENCED nurses is what they should say. There's plenty of positions open because it costs money to train a nurse, more so w/o experience.

The reason for your inability to get a nursing job is based on many factors. Are you applying for a job for which you are experienced, or changing area in nursing. Most employers are looking for experience and some type of certification. Even if you may not necessarily work in a particular dept but have a general idea, some hiring managers could work with that. Hiring managers still look at how one fit into the culture of the organization and within the dept as well. Sometimes, as awful as it may sound, people have biases, we shouldn’t, but we do. They look at how we look and speak. Like I said, a lot goes into the hiring process. There’s a high cost associated with hiring a person. The person looking for the job, don’t always see that. Look at it this way. Ever failure is a success. Why? Because if it wasn’t for the failure you would not have changed trajectory. I’m sure you will find the right job.

Ambulatory surgery centers are looking for OR nurses

You really want to know why John not getting a job? You will never know. No rhyme or reason most of the time. If you are a genuinely kind and polite person, no reason would exist except employers can “cherry pick” who they want and don’t want and if they have recruiters working for them, forget it. Unless you are a recruiters best friend, your resume will never see the hiring individuals eyes. It’s beyond cut throat and sick out there. It’s not the pandemic it’s calling reality. I have been doing this for 14 years and it’s never changed, only thing that has changed is how so many recruiters and employers are quick to judge and not take the needed time to review candidates and all they bring to the table. So, if I were you, don’t take it personally as you will never find out and often times the job you first applied for long ago will come back around when they could not find the “perfect candidate” which is sad because I don’t know about you but I am never 2nd best nor anyones second choice. Hold your head up and know and be confident in you and what you bring to the table. Confidence and knowledge are light years apart, but some day they will become one. I will not be around to see it , but I will watch(hopefully) from far away!

I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble finding a nursing job despite the reported shortage. Several factors could contribute to this situation:

Location: The shortage of nurses may not be evenly distributed across all regions. Certain areas may have a higher demand for nurses than others. Consider expanding your job search to different locations.

Experience: Entry-level nurses might face more competition than those with experience. If you're a new graduate, gaining additional certifications or volunteering can help enhance your resume.

Specialization: Some nursing specialties are in higher demand than others. Depending on your qualifications, it might be beneficial to explore different nursing specialties or consider additional training in a high-demand area.

Networking: Utilize your professional network, including professors, colleagues, and alumni, to help you find job opportunities. Networking can sometimes lead to job referrals or recommendations.

Resume and Interview Skills: Ensure that your resume effectively highlights your qualifications and tailor it to the specific job you're applying for. Additionally, practicing interview skills can make a significant difference in securing a job.

Licensing and Certification: Make sure your nursing license and certifications are up-to-date and meet the requirements for the positions you're applying for.

Employment Agencies: Consider reaching out to healthcare staffing agencies or recruitment firms that specialize in nursing placements.

Patience and Persistence: Job searches can take time. Continue applying to positions, attending job fairs, and following up on applications.

Online Job Boards: Explore various online job boards and healthcare-specific websites to find job listings in your area of interest.

Further Education: If you're struggling to find a job in the current market, you might consider pursuing further education or specialization to make yourself more competitive.

It's essential to stay persistent and adaptable in your job search. The nursing field can be competitive, but with the right approach and patience, you can increase your chances of finding a suitable position

Hello, make sure your resume fits the position you are trying for. You cannot have a generic resume for every job. Look at the qualifications, look at the positions and make sure that your resume highlights those positions. Make sure it's prominent. Many companies use programs and recruiters that scan resumes looking for key information that apply to the position they're looking for. Keep it short, sweet, concise and thorough. Don't add a lot of unnecessary information as it will not get read.

I KNOW THERE IS A NURSING SHORTAGE. MY QUESTION IS WHAT DEGREE DO YOU HAVE? IF YOU ARE LOOKING IN A HOSPITAL SETTING MANY HOSPITALS PREFER A NURSE WHO HAS A BSN. THEY ARE USUALLY HOSPITALS THAT A MAGNET STATUS. ARE YOU A NEW GRADUATE? ALTHOUGH MANY PLACES WILL HIRE A NEW GRADUATE THEY DO PREFER BSN. IF YOU ARE A NEW GRAD WITH BSN WITHOUT EXPERIENCE I WOULD SUGGEST YOU TAKE A JOB IN A SKILLED NURSING FACILITY TO GET SOME EXPERIENCE. IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BSN, THEN I WOULD SUGGEST YOU LOOK INTO STARTING A SCHOOL TO CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION. EVEN IF YOU DO IT ON A PART-TIME BASIS WHILE YOU GET YOUR YEAR OF EXPERIENCE SOME HOSPITALS WILL HIRE YOU IF THEY SEE YOU HAVE STARTED SCHOOL AND GIVE YOU A TIMED GRACE PERIOD.