Gone are the days when traditional job hiring posts were the only way of looking for work. With technology, searching for employment opportunities has become more accessible with just a few clicks. Aside from job search platforms, social media also makes connecting the employer and job hunter easier. Read on to learn how to find a nursing job using social media.

Social media and career opportunities

Do you remember when social media was just a venue to share your thoughts, channel your personality, and connect with your friends and family? Through the years, it has grown so much from merely being a way to get in touch with people.

At present, there is so much you can do with social media. Brands can reach consumers through ads, online sellers can put out their products quickly, content creators can hit a vast market, and recruiters can know about potential employees before the interview process.

Some of the platforms typically used for recruiter-applicant engagement are LinkedIn and Facebook. 

A 2013 study by AMN Healthcare discovered that healthcare professionals who used social media to seek career opportunities doubled since the first study in 2010. About half of the respondents in this study used social media to search for options.

This shows how powerful social media can be in bridging the gaps between potential employees and employers.

Tips on how to find a nursing job using social media

It indeed has been a trend among healthcare workers — and professionals, in general — to utilize the digital world, mainly social media, in looking for employment opportunities. How do you find a nursing job using social media? What do you need to do?

Choose the right platform

With the variety of social networking sites, maintaining an account with everyone can be quite a handful. If you need more time to do this, the best thing to do is pick the most relevant platforms.

In the earlier AMN Healthcare study, respondents were asked to choose only one platform. The survey showed that 58% chose LinkedIn and 24% answered Facebook. You can start from there.

Create a profile and keep it professional

Now that you have determined your social media platform, what’s next? It’s time for you to build your professional profile. 

The primary purpose of your account is to find potential employers and market yourself as a capable and professional nurse. Maintaining a professional image is part of finding a nursing job using social media.

Remember that recruiters look at your profile to determine whether you fit their company. While clinical skills are still significant, you do not want to give a wrong impression through your social media account.

The above mentioned survey said that 50% of clinicians who participated in their survey said they curated their social media profiles and avoided harmful content. After all, the employees represent their respective healthcare facilities.

Make yourself attractive with buzz words

Buzz words attract recruiters as they are often on the lookout for these. In your profile, job roles include nurse practitioner, critical care nurse, travel nurse, etc.

Aside from the usual critical thinking and multitasking, include specialized skills that not all nurses can do. You can also put what training and certifications you have. 

These attractive buzz words make you stand out from a sea of nursing professionals.

Build your network

What is the use of your social media profile if you do not have connections? To find a nursing job using social media, you must build a network of fellow professionals.

Start with family and friends, former classmates and schoolmates, especially in nursing school, professors and instructors, and former and present colleagues. Who knows — they might know someone who is hiring.

Some recruiters look at profile friends and connections to look for potential employees. Create your network wisely and strategically. Aside from quantity, also take note of quality. You want to be associated with the right people.

Join groups

Besides the people in your circle, you should also join new circles to grow your network. 

Social media platforms typically have a group feature where you can connect with professionals of the same educational institution, interests, and advocacy.

Some groups you should look into include alum associations, especially nursing schools, nursing specialties, volunteer and charity organizations, and location-based healthcare groups such as your state, city, or area.

Follow healthcare institution pages

Many hospitals and healthcare facilities have social media pages that post updates about their facilities, achievements, and career opportunities. Be sure to follow their pages, so you stay in the loop.

Looking for jobs with social media

Social media is a great tool in finding career opportunities. How to find a nursing job using social media includes creating your own profile that looks attractive to recruiters, building your network, and putting yourself out there for future employers to find.