Expert Tips, Tricks and Trends in Nursing Recruitment

Ashlee Troman, Laura Syms, Becki Thompson and Meg Buchanan are experienced Nursing and Midwifery recruiters at Cornerstone Medical Recruitment, sharing their knowledge of nursing recruitment tips and trends.  

When it comes to finding tips and tricks surrounding job hunting and applying, information is everywhere. This can sometimes make it confusing and convoluted when trying to find the best information to answer any recruitment questions you may have. Our nursing team at Cornerstone Medical Recruitment are a wealth of knowledge and offer experience and expertise to all nurses. From those delving into the world of agency nursing, to those who are seasoned professionals, our nursing team have seen it all.

Agency nursing can be a great way to travel and work around Australia and build your skills in new areas. Recruitment consultants can help source a job that aligns with your needs and wants in a job, provide you with feedback and help in negotiations with hirers.

The team ranges in experience from acute and midwifery nursing, to RANs, Aged Care nursing and Mental Health nursing. They are going to provide you with their top tips and industry tricks for nursing recruitment.  

How can nurses make their resumes stand out?

“Your resume is your first opportunity to showcase your skills and experience to potential employers,” says Ashlee, Lead Consultant of Mental Health Nursing and Socials Care. “To make your resume stand out, here are some tips to consider:”

1. Highlight your experience: Put your experience at the top of your resume. Start with your most recent job and work backwards. Use bullet points to highlight specific details and try to limit it to five bullet points per role.
2. Education: Include your education at the top of your CV. If you have additional degrees or post-graduate qualifications, make sure to include them too.
3. Personal summary: A personal summary is an opportunity to highlight what sets you apart as an applicant. Relate it to work and put more personal information at the bottom.

What should nurses keep in mind when looking for jobs?

There are many things to keep in mind when looking for a job. “If you are working with a recruitment consultant, the best thing you can do is be open and honest with your consultant and always ask them questions, no matter how simple they seem” says Laura, Lead Consultant of the Aged Care team.  

1. Be responsive: Recruitment moves quickly, and nurses need to be responsive to any inquiries from recruiters or potential employers.
2. Be realistic about your expectations: If you’re looking for agency nursing work, understand that urban locations may not always be available. Be honest about your salary expectations and your skillset.
3. Make sure that competencies are up to date: Book six months in advance for Advanced Life Support (ALS) courses, and make sure you have all the necessary documents ready to go.
4. Research agencies: Many of our current nurses have found us via referrals from friends and colleagues, they can give you honest reviews. It is also helpful to be upfront with your consultant. Don’t have your CV submitted by multiple agencies, as it may affect your chances of being selected for a job.

Have you noticed any emerging trends in nursing recruitment? If so, what are they?

“We have noticed a few emerging trends following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and introduction of surge rates. Clients [Hospitals and Health Services] are also starting to lead the market and it is becoming less candidate led,” says Meg, who is a Recruitment Partner for Acute and Midwifery in rural and remote areas.

1. More people want to do agency work: As the demand for healthcare professionals increases, more nurses are choosing to work for agencies.
2. It is becoming a client market: Hospitals and health services are looking for nurses who are team players and can fill staffing shortages.
3. The housing crisis is beginning to affect contract availability, especially in rural and regional communities where the effects of the housing crisis are being felt most.

What should nurses ask recruiters to get the most out of recruitment experience?

“Recruiters can be valuable resources for nurses looking for jobs. These are just some of the questions to ask recruiters to get the most out of your recruitment experience,” says Becki, Acute and Midwifery Recruitment Partner:

1. Ask for advice: Ask your recruiter to put you in touch with other nurses who have worked in the same locations you’re considering.
2. Ask what sets the agency apart: Find out what sets the agency apart from other agencies.
3. Ask what recruiters need from you: Find out what documents or information recruiters need from you to get the most out of your contract. It is also helpful to have an idea of what locations you’d like to work in, it can help to narrow the search.

What are your top three tips for nurses currently job hunting?

Job hunting can be a stressful experience, but there are ways to make it easier. Here are our top three tips for nurses currently job hunting:

1. Be flexible, open-minded, and honest: Be open to new opportunities and honest about your skillset and expectations.
2. Move quickly: Recruitment moves quickly, and nurses need to be responsive to any inquiries from recruiters or potential employers.
3. Be honest about where you have been submitted: If you’re working with multiple agencies, be open about where you have applied for.

By working closely with your recruitment consultant and asking the right questions, you can find exciting opportunities to build your skills and advance your career. The nursing team at Cornerstone Medical Recruitment are happy to answer any questions you may have about nursing around Australia. Chat today 1300 267 300!