Recruiting Top Travel RNs
Travel RN jobs have boomed in recent years. According to research by Simpli-Fi, the number of travel nurse jobs in the United States grew by an incredible 44% between 2018 and 2019. The pandemic in 2020 has pushed the number of travel nursing roles even higher.
With the current shortages of and high demand for registered nurses, many healthcare organizations wish to hire reliable and well-trained travel RNs quickly. With top healthcare organizations competing over a small pool of candidates, the winners are those who are most attractive to candidates.
Knowing what today’s Travel RNs really want from their jobs is your key to successful hiring.
Assessing Your Travel RN Staffing Needs
As the hiring manager at a healthcare organization, identifying your future staffing needs will give you a head start in the hiring process. By understanding your needs, you will be able to reach out to travel RNs before a position becomes available.
The closer to a start date you are before starting the hiring process, the more likely you are to be disappointed and left short-staffed. The best candidates plan their work around their life, and this includes being booked in advance for the best roles.
The first part of the solution to attracting the best travel RNs is therefore not to leave hiring of travel nurses too late.
Selling a Position at Your Healthcare Organization
Healthcare recruiting has become tough in the current job market. To attract travel RNs, you must sell them on a position at your organization.
You must keep in mind that most travel RN candidates apply for multiple roles and may receive multiple offers. When it comes to selecting an offer, the smallest details can make a big difference.
One of the most important things is communication. Keeping in touch with candidates and keeping them in the loop with the hiring process is essential. Initial impressions formed by how you communicate can be hard to shift – make it a good impression and you create a positive energy toward you.
You should provide all candidates with as much detail about the position as possible and include all the benefits of taking on a role at your organization. Benefits can include things such as:
- State-of-the-art facilities
- Attractions in your surrounding area
- Accolades your organization has earned
- Commitment to ensuring all nurses are treated well
- Opportunities for professional growth
Competitive Salary and Benefits
A big motivator for many travel RNs is the pay. Salaries for travel RNs are significantly higher than permanent staff. While not the sole reason for accepting an offer, your salary should be competitive and reward experience and qualifications.
Accommodation
Staff accommodation is another aspect of a role that travel RNs will enquire about. Whether offering accommodation or a payment toward their own accommodation, a travel nurse will expect some basic needs to be met. For example, accommodation near the healthcare facility for short commutes or close to ‘where the action is’ so they can maximize their free time can be a big selling point.
Continuing Education Units
Continuing education is another plus point for many travel nurses. The opportunity to experience different places is not the sole reason a travel nurse chooses the life they do. Often, the chance to experience new roles and further their own qualifications is equally motivating.
If you require a travel nurse to extend their contract, they are more likely to do so if they are getting more than good pay and a nice place to live.
To Sum Up
Given the demands and challenges of today’s healthcare environment, recruiting travel RNs is tough.
The global pandemic has increased demand for travel RNs and made competition fierce for top talent.
To stand out in a highly competitive market, you must sell your position by understanding what motivates the best candidates to travel as a nurse.
By following the above tactics, you can help yourself in your hiring efforts. Reaching out to candidates early, explaining benefits, and providing opportunities for career-enhancing experience and learning will give you the edge you need in a tight hiring environment.
For help hiring top travel RNs for your healthcare organization, contact Loyal Source.