Whether you are just finishing school and getting ready to start looking for a nursing job, or you’re starting to look at other opportunities for a new position, you want to be sure you’re putting your best foot forward. You’ve taken all the right academic courses, but what other characteristics do employers look for when considering job applicants?
Nursing Community Involvement
Every nursing specialty has its own organization, and it’s a great sign of your dedication to the profession if you are involved. If you feel like you barely have time to breathe as it is, consider signing up for the newsletter and skimming as best you can—even that will help you with conversation starters with your coworkers, or possibly talking points for your next interview. If you have a little more time to invest, you might want to attend a meeting to learn more about the group’s activities or possibly think about running for an open position on the leadership team.
Keep Current in the Industry
The field of nursing is one that is constantly evolving, and the best nurses are ready to keep up with the fast pace of change. Additional schooling is one great way to help ensure you’re staying up-to-date with the latest changes in the field. Have you considered pursuing the next degree in your sequence? Even if the prospect seems daunting, keep in mind that there are several options to help integrate your studies into your busy life. Online and evening courses are available to help accommodate as many students as possible. You don’t have to stop working entirely to pursue your degree, and you don’t have to plan to earn a new degree super-quickly—employers are more interested seeing you make ongoing efforts to move forward in your career, even if it is one course at a time.
Illustrate Important Characteristics
Nursing is one of the most trusted professions by the public, and much of that reputation has to do with the empathy and compassion that nurses exude every day. When applying for nursing jobs, you will need to provide character references—and if your references can honestly say that you show these characteristics regularly, that will go far with the interview panel.
If you’re ready to begin your search for a nursing job, consult with Concentric Healthcare to find out about current opportunities.
