10 things nurses looking for in a job
Nursing can be a passion. It can be something you do straight from the heart and your calling. Even so, it is still a job. If you’re looking for work as a nurse, you have some things to look for before accepting a position. While these may vary from person to person, there are some things in common that most people look for in a nursing job. We’ve devised a list of 10 things nurses are looking for in a job.
Salary and bonuses
The first thing most of us think about when deciding on a new job is the salary. Nurses deserve to receive proper compensation for their duties and responsibilities.
Most nurses look for jobs in more than one location. This enables them to compare the salaries and bonus payments and select the job best for them.
Choosing to go into a nursing specialty will also result in a higher starting salary. Nurses with specialties, certifications, and training are typically paid higher than those without.
Employment benefits
Choosing between a higher salary or one with better benefits is a decision you will likely have to make if you decide between two employers. Among the ten things, nurses look for in a job is the list of employment benefits.
Employment benefits may include health insurance, discounts on specific stores, and even opportunities for further education. Good employers will offer many employee benefits that are useful to nurses.
Flexible working hours
Nurses are experiencing burnout. As time goes by, more and more nurses prefer to work somewhere with flexible working hours.
A good work schedule can go a long way in promoting quality patient care and ensuring that nurses are mentally and physically ready to bring their best to work.
Flexible hours are also increasingly important to the younger generations. The flexibility of work hours is part of the ten things nurses look for in a job.
From the millennials up to Gen Z, these nurses would instead work in a job where they can appropriately juggle work and leisure time.
Healthy work culture and environment
A healthy work culture is one of the most critical factors in any job. A poor and toxic work culture leads to low morale and will be reflected in the employee turnover rate.
A bad work culture would further drain and drag down the employee in a job as physically and emotionally taxing as a nurse. A healthy work culture will allow you to flourish and thrive as a nurse.
Career advancement opportunities
Most nurses aspire to greater heights in their nursing careers and the right job can help them along. A job that offers a lot of room for career growth can turn a good nurse into a great one.
It also includes the facilities’ ability to keep up with the times. Being trained in the newest technology would be a great help to a nurse’s professional growth.
Employer’s reputation
It’s a given that no patient would like to go to a hospital with a poor reputation. It follows that no nurse would want to work in one either. This is why an employer's reputation lands a spot in our list of 10 things nurses look for in a job.
An employer’s reputation also reflects upon its employees. No one would want to be known as a nurse who works in a bad hospital.
Aside from that, nurses also work best when they are involved in what they do and respect their employers. An employer with an exemplary reputation will encourage a nurse to professionally be the version of themselves.
Employer’s values and advocacies
Intricately linked with an employer’s reputation are its values and advocacies. A nurse working for an employer with the same values will feel more motivated and eager to do their duties.
It is heartening to think that you and your employer share the same ideals and are working towards a common goal.
Proper staffing
The world is currently experiencing a nursing shortage. This could mean that a particular job might have a terrible nurse-to-patient ratio. This would be stressful for you should you choose this hospital.
Nurses should decide for themselves and check the staffing level of the job they are applying for. Proper staffing is one of the ten things nurses look for in a job.
Location and accessibility
Is it a short ride from your home or the next town over? Is it located right by a good nursing school should you wish to pursue higher education? The location of a job can significantly influence whether you choose to apply for it or not.
Administrative actions and support programs
Burnout is a real and common occurrence in the world of nursing. There are certain facilities, however, that offer support for this problem.
This may include mental health seminars, additional days off, or recreational rooms within the facility to help you relieve stress.
Check out these when looking for nursing job this 2023
Most nurses look for the same things in a job. The decision ultimately comes down to what they want and need from the job and which choice suits them. Like any other job, there are a lot of things you need to weigh on when deciding the best place for you. The ten things nurses look for in a position above are the most common ones that you should also consider yourself.