How to Make Yourself More Marketable Inside Your Hospital and Unit

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for nurses is semi-bright. Between 2024 and 2034, the employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 5%. Approximately 189,100 openings are projected each year over the course of the next decade. But here’s the thing - if there is this need for nurses and so many openings, why are so many nurses having problems finding jobs? 

I remember during nursing school, especially at clinical sites, the nurses would always talk about how there were plenty of jobs, OT was always available, and finding work would never be an issue with a BSN. As I have continued throughout my nursing career, I have found that it isn’t always the case. Now, I live very close to a large city on the East Coast, and there are literally dozens of hospitals within driving distance, but that doesn’t always mean there are jobs. 

To be honest, for a nurse with almost twenty years of experience and an advanced skill set, I deserve to be picky. But being picky isn’t possible for all nurses, especially when you need a job. 

A recent Facebook post with over 150 comments asked: “If hospitals need nurses… why does it take 100 applications to get one interview?” Comments ranged from blaming the hospitals, short-staffing on purpose, oversaturation of the market, and lack of qualifications. 

 

Some of these things we as nurses have absolutely zero control over. But there are ways to increase the chances of getting an interview or even a job offer. 

1. Obtain specialized certifications

A surefire way to make your application stand out is to earn an advanced, specialized certification. Earning a certification highlights your expertise, advanced knowledge, and skill set in a specific area of nursing. 

The specific certification depends on your speciality. For a critical care nurse, it might mean taking the CCRN exam, or for an OR nurse, CNOR. There are over 150 specialty nursing certifications allowing healthcare providers in essentially ANY nursing specialty to earn an advanced certification.

Each certification has a specific requirement to be eligible to sit for the exam. For example, the CNOR, or Certified Perioperative Nurse, requires:

• A current, unrestricted RN license in the country where currently practicing.
• Currently working full- or part-time in perioperative nursing clinical practice, nursing education, administration, or research.
• A minimum of 2 years and 2,400 hours of experience in perioperative nursing, with a minimum of 1,200 hours in an intraoperative setting. 

Every certification usually requires a certain number of practice hours as well as current employment in the field. This is something to take into consideration when planning on taking a certification exam. 

2. Stay in touch with old co-workers and managers, and NETWORK

And not just to meet up for happy hour and drinks. Network with your old coworkers. As nurses come and go from different positions, they may know of openings or have connections to positions.

Networking helps build professional relationships that can advance your career. While maintaining professional relationships, consider joining professional organizations. This can help you find a mentor, especially if you are a novice nurse, and connect with other nurses in your specialty. 

While working as a full-time Neonatal ICU nurse in the early days of my career, I was a member of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) and the American Nurses Association (ANA). 

As I have transitioned over the years to more of a Pediatric ICU nurse, I continue to hold a membership with the ANA, but also the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN). Throughout the years, I have met incredible nurses across the country because of these professional organizations. Conferences are held throughout the year and are a great resource for nurses. Usually held in a warm location (think Florida, Arizona, California), nurses get to learn, relax, and get CEUs. 

3. Pursue advanced education

It goes without saying that it’s important to have your BSN in nursing. If you currently only have an RN license with either a diploma or ADN, then consider enrolling in an RN to BSN program. This will immediately make you more marketable. 

I always knew I wanted to do more than just bedside nursing, but I also knew that I wasn’t interested in working as a Nurse Practitioner or a Nurse Anesthetist. The area I live in is oversaturated with both, and I didn’t want to be $100,000 in debt and not in a job I loved. 

So, enter Nursing Education. My father was a high school history teacher for decades, and my mom was a school nurse but also in charge of certain aspects of education at her school, including sex ed. I will admit my dad did discourage me from going into teaching for a variety of reasons, but I decided it was worth pursuing. 

After graduating from a top MSN nursing education program during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I started working as a clinical educator. And for the most part, I loved it. There were definitely aspects that made me question life choices, but that's a story for another day. 

Earning an MSN degree instantly opened up a world of job opportunities I didn’t previously have access to. Additionally, having the additional degree looks good on paper for my hospital. Joint Commission and Magnet survey hospitals want staff with higher education levels. 

4. Advance your skill set

Take every class that is offered within your unit and hospital. If you are interested in something but not sure how to access it, speak to your unit educator. Are you an ICU nurse, and is there an ECMO class? Take it! Learn the skill set. As you learn a new skill set, there are often additional responsibilities or requirements, but it looks strong on a resume. On top of learning a cool new skill and the education that goes along with it, it will make you very desirable. 

If you and another nurse are applying for the same job and have very similar levels of education and similar job experiences, BUT if you are ECMO certified, certified to place an arterial line or IVs, or have taken additional education classes offered, that job is yours for the taking. 

Truth be told, there are so many things that can make you more marketable as a nurse, both inside a hospital and within your specific department. Being the go-to nurse for blood draws or IV placement feels good. Take advantage of every opportunity you are given because you never know when it might just come in handy. 

🤔Nurses, what do you think makes you more marketable to hospitals?  Share your thoughts about Ned Brower below.