Media reports about the nursing shorting abound, so it seems counterintuitive to think about nurses struggling to find employment. Although facilities need nurses within some specialties, like emergency care and home health or hospice, other specialties are just getting back up and running. Hospitals and clinics throughout the country had to put many elective procedures on hold during the pandemic, leaving nurses struggling to find work.
Nurses can help reduce the risk of going without employment for long periods of time with the following tips:
- Network. The power of a wide network of professionals cannot be understated. Have a mix of professional acquaintances that you can reach out to in the event you find yourself without a job. This will increase the odds that someone will have a connection that can help. Make this network by attending various professional events and keeping in touch with other professionals you have worked with in the past.
- Build your base. Now is a great time to get some additional education. Courses are available online and can help make your resume stand out amongst others.
- Diversify. Sometimes a stint in a different specialty is not such a bad thing. If professionally appropriate, consider trying something new like rehabilitation or home health.
Although these tips can help you get back into the marketplace if you find yourself without employment, you may still wonder whether some time out of the workforce could impact your nursing license. The answer depends on the state. It is common for a state nursing license board to require a nurse to work a certain number of clinical hours during a given licensure period. Those who cannot meet this requirement may need to take a refresher course or meet other requirements from the state board to reactivate their license in the future.
