The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted the healthcare industry, and the group of professionals that bore the brunt of the crisis is nurses. Nurses played a crucial role in providing care and support to patients. Yet, the pandemic's relentless demands caused nurses to leave traditional staff roles to take on lucrative temporary assignments. 

Thankfully, hospitals are seeing the nursing workforce return after many nurses left their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. To attract qualified nurses to your hospital, you must implement specific strategies that have a direct positive impact on what matters most to nurses, including:

1. Improved work conditions: The challenges nurses faced during the pandemic brought attention to the need for better working conditions. In response, hospitals and healthcare organizations have implemented changes to address nurse staffing, workload, and burnout. These improvements, such as increased staffing levels, better scheduling practices, and enhanced support systems, make returning to work more appealing for nurses.
2. Career and personal fulfillment: Nursing is a rewarding profession that can provide personal and career satisfaction. Many nurses are passionate about their work and find purpose in caring for others. The pandemic has reinforced the importance of nursing and the impact nurses can make on patients' lives. This sense of purpose and the desire to contribute to healthcare has motivated nurses to return to their profession.
3. Continued professional development: Nursing constantly evolves, and nurses recognize the need to stay updated on medical advancements and best practices. Returning to work allows nurses to continue their professional development, gain new skills, and contribute to ongoing improvements in patient care. Additionally, the pandemic highlighted the importance of preparedness for future public health crises, motivating nurses to stay engaged.

Top 7 Ways Partnering With a Recruiting Agency Can Benefit Your Nurse Recruitment Efforts

Working with a specialized recruiting agency helps you communicate your personalized message while emphasizing your differentiators to stand out from competing job posts. An agency can also connect you with quality nurses to fill your available positions and provide a continuous flow of candidates through your doors.

A specialized recruiting agency can play a significant role in helping your organization attract nurses returning to work after the pandemic. Here are some ways a recruiting agency can assist you in this process:

1. Expertise in sourcing nurses: Recruiting agencies specialize in finding and screening candidates for various positions. They have experienced recruiters who understand nursing and can identify suitable candidates based on your specific requirements. They can review resumes, conduct initial interviews, and assess candidates' skills and experience.
2. Talent acquisition strategy: A specialized recruiting agency can work closely with your company to develop a tailored talent acquisition strategy to attract nurses returning to work after the pandemic. They can help you identify the key factors enticing nurses to join your organization and craft compelling messages to attract their attention.
3. Marketing and branding: Showcasing your company as an attractive employer is essential to attract nurses. A recruiting agency can assist in promoting your organization's brand and culture to potential candidates. They can highlight the positive aspects of working for your organization, such as flexible schedules, career development opportunities, and work-life balance.
4. Streamlined hiring process: A specialized recruiting agency can manage the entire hiring process, from initial candidate contact to the final selection. This includes scheduling interviews, conducting reference checks, and facilitating negotiations. This lets your team focus on critical tasks while ensuring a smooth and efficient hiring process.
5. Market insights and Industry knowledge: A specialized recruiting agency can provide valuable market insights about the current job market for nurses, such as compensation trends, demands, and expectations. They can also provide insight on the availability of qualified candidates, salary expectations, and any specific challenges related to recruiting nurses returning to work after the pandemic. This information can competitively position your company to attract returning nurses and stay updated on industry best practices.
6. Time and cost savings: Outsourcing your recruitment process to a specialized recruiting agency can save you significant time and cost. Agencies handle various administrative tasks associated with sourcing, screening, and vetting nurses, allowing you to focus on other critical aspects of your operations. Additionally, agencies often have established relationships and negotiated rates with job boards and advertising platforms, which can result in cost savings for your recruitment efforts.
7. Flexibility and scalability: If you anticipate a surge in nurse demand as the pandemic subsides, a recruiting agency can quickly adapt to your needs. They can scale their efforts to identify and recruit more qualified nurses within a shorter timeframe. This flexibility can be especially beneficial during times of increased staffing requirements.

Each nurse's situation and motivation may vary, so it's important to remain adaptable and responsive to their needs. By working with a specialized recruiting agency like Kinetix, you can implement these strategies and increase your chances of attracting and retaining talented nurses returning to the workforce after the pandemic.

Want to learn more about how Kinetix can help you attract great nurses?