How to Land Your First Contract Nursing Job
If you’ve been feeling a little restless in your nursing career, or you’ve been looking for a new challenge, look no further. The contract nursing job market is hot, and you just might find an opportunity you can’t refuse.
Contract nursing jobs are short-term, flexible travel nursing assignments that provide the chance to explore new cities, gain a fresh perspective and acquire valuable experience. Working as a contract nurse, you’ll also have the support of staffing professionals who can guide you through the job search and placement process, plus clinical support and assistance throughout your assignment.
Understanding the Contract Nursing Job Market
Hospitals and healthcare organizations often need to fill in the gaps in their own staffing with temporary workers. That’s where contract nurses come in.
Two major factors have increased the need for contract nurses: the pandemic and the ongoing wave or nurse retirements. Because the demand is currently high, that means that nurses are in the driver’s seat. There are numerous job openings to consider across the country. You can opt for a short-term assignment, which may range from two to eight weeks, or a traditional 13-week travel nursing assignment.
Another in-demand option: rapid response and crisis nursing jobs. If you want to get to work fast, a crisis nursing job may be just the ticket. Typically, with these positions, you must be prepared to start your new job with a minimum amount of advance notice. The contract length can range from two weeks up to 13 weeks. According to many nurses who relish this type of work, the work is intense, the pay is good, and the experience is very rewarding.
Preparing for Your Contract Nursing Job Search
If contract nursing sounds like the right path for you, it is time to prepare for your job search. First, be willing to engage in some introspection. What are your main priorities? Consider what kind of positions interest you, as well as potential locations and assignment terms.
Next, it’s time to put your best foot forward, professionally speaking. These are key steps to take:
- Update and optimize your resume to highlight your education, experience, and certifications.
- Update your skills list to call attention to skills that hiring managers may be seeking.
- Revamp your professional online presence, including editing your social media platforms to reflect your best self.
As you prepare to launch your contract nursing job search, put your professional network to good use, too. Contact former colleagues and mentors to ask about potential opportunities or ask them to be references.
Finding and Applying for Contract Nursing Jobs
So, how do you find that perfect first contract nursing job? The following steps will help.
Start by finding the right travel nursing agency for you
The right travel nursing agency can be an invaluable asset during your job search. Established agencies, like AMN Healthcare, will work on your behalf and help you throughout the job search, placement and onboarding process.
To make sure you select well, do your homework. Research travel nursing companies and look for one with an excellent reputation and connections with highly-ranked healthcare organizations, as well as a wide array of job openings. Be sure they offer good benefits, too.
Then you can submit your application online, or call the agency directly with any questions. Your application will be used to create your traveler profile for future jobs, so take the time to ensure its accuracy and completeness.
Build a partnership with your recruiter
Once you’ve chosen a travel nursing agency, you’ll be connected with a recruiter. As any veteran traveler will tell you, the nurse–recruiter relationship is incredibly important to your success.
Your recruiter will spend some time getting to know you in order to understand what you’re looking for, and to help find the right contract nursing jobs for you. Be honest in your conversations. Let your recruiter what kind of assignment appeals to you—and what doesn’t. Other criteria to discuss might include:
- Your preferred locations
- Types of facilities where you’d like to work
- Skills that you want to build on during an assignment
- Your desired pay rate
Your recruiter can help you understand the demand for your nursing specialty, and introduce you to some current openings that fit your priorities. They will also help put together your candidate profile, and then submit it to the jobs that you choose.
Nail the contract nursing job interview
Not only will your recruiter help you land that all-important virtual interview for the assignment you want, they can also help you prepare for it. They should be able to provide important insights on the hiring facility and manager, and can help you run through some common interview questions.
Make sure you’re prepared to highlight your skills, experience and adaptability during your interview. Most hiring managers are looking for confident, competent professionals who are good team players, and you want to show them that you’re the right person for the job.
Some assignments may only require a virtual interview with AMN Healthcare staff. Once completed, that interview can be shared with the organizations where you choose to apply.
Negotiating and Securing Your Contract Nursing Job
Once you’ve been offered a travel nursing contract, you’ll want to work with your recruiter to finalize the details so you’ll be ready to start working. Make sure you understand the contract terms and compensation before you sign on the proverbial dotted line. This is also your opportunity to negotiate any terms, as appropriate.
Then it’s time to take care of the logistics. For instance, your recruiter will put you in touch with the agency’s credentialing specialists to make sure your nursing licenses and other paperwork are all in order. They’ll also connect you with housing specialists to arrange either free accommodations during your assignment or provide a housing stipend. You’ll also be connected with the payroll team to make sure you’re set up for timely payments and reimbursements. Luckily, most of these details can be managed through the AMN Passport app.
The next step: start packing!
Getting started with AMN Healthcare
Take your nursing career to the next level with the experts at AMN Healthcare. We have nearly 40 years of experience as a healthcare staffing leader, and offer the largest network of nursing jobs—including many exclusive opportunities. Check out our extensive jobs database and connect with a recruiter to talk about next steps.
