How to Become a Nurse Recruiter
Duties, Responsibilities, Requirements, Certifications, Job Outlook, and Salary
Nurse Recruiters are responsible for assisting healthcare companies with filling nursing positions. Thanks to Nurse Recruiters, hospitals and healthcare facilities continue to run smoothly, maintain their operations, and focus on the needs of their patients. This is because Nurse Recruiters allow them to spend much less time on recruitment and much more of their time improving patient outcomes.
We’ve put together this career guide to help you better understand the role of a Nurse Recruiter. If you possess strong communication skills, a detail-oriented nature, and excellent customer service, becoming a Nurse Recruiter could be a great career choice. One of the many perks of this position is the ability to work remote. In fact, we featured Nurse Recruiters on our list of the best work from home nursing jobs.
(Click here to see our full list of the best work from home nursing jobs)
Continue reading to learn more about the requirements, responsibilities, training, salary, and job outlook of Nurse Recruiters.
Nurse Recruiter Definition
What is a Nurse Recruiter?
Nurse Recruiters assist medical companies by procuring nurses for various roles. Thanks to Nurse Recruiters, hospitals and other healthcare facilities run smoothly even as vacancies or staffing needs arise. Since these facilities can spend less time recruiting, they can focus on daily operations and the wellbeing of their patients.
Nurse Recruiter Duties & Responsibilities
What Does a Nurse Recruiter Do?
Nurse Recruiters specialize in finding the right nurse for the right role. Due to the nature of their job, Nurse Recruiters must have excellent sales and communication skills. It’s their responsibility to sell an employer’s job openings to qualified nurses. They also partner with various organizations, facilities, and schools to fill any nursing roles they may have.
Some of the day-to-day job responsibilities of a Nurse Recruiter include:
- Researching new technologies to better evaluate resumes and potential training opportunities for new employees.
- Marketing to ensure their employers receive quality applicants.
- Screening and interviewing job applicants.
- Supporting, collaborating, and coordinating events with other members of their recruitment team.
- Meeting with business owners as well as leadership members to understand each company’s specific hiring needs.
- Reviewing resumes from nurses to examine their skills for an available position.
- Exploring job boards to locate qualified nurses who might have potential interest in a job change.
- Advertising job openings, attending job fairs, and organizing recruitment
Where Do Nurse Recruiters Work?
While some Nurse Recruiters work in agencies, many work independently from their homes. This applies to Nurse Recruiters at agencies, too! Because they coordinate and schedule interviews, they can complete a good deal of their work in the virtual realm.
Keep in mind that some Nurse Recruiters still need to travel. Your employer may require that you represent them at career fairs. In addition, you may also speak to nursing students at colleges or universities.
Nurse Recruiter Hours
Nurse Recruiters generally work during regular business hours. They also tend to fill full-time positions at 40 hours per week. On occasion, they may need to work outside of regular business hours, travel to events, etc.
Nurse Recruiter Skills
Becoming a Nurse Recruiter might be a great fit for you if you:
- Offer excellent customer service
- Possess strong communication skills
- Have a good eye for details
- Are honest, accessible, trustworthy, and organized
- Are dependable, empathetic, resourceful, and supportive
- Approach tasks with a patient and dedicated mindset
- Work well with others, various types of personalities, etc.
Nurse Recruiter Schooling & Certification
How Long Does it Take to Become a Nurse Recruiter?
What Degree Do You Need to Be a Nurse Recruiter?
In order to be qualified for the role of a Nurse Recruiter, you will likely need to earn a bachelor’s degree. Some employers will require that you obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Other employers will provide you with on-the-job training.
If you pursue a BSN degree, this means you must graduate from an accredited nursing program. You may also need to pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and seek two to four years of related experience. While it will depend on your employer, you are sure to find more opportunities with a BSN degree and an RN license.
If you’d like to become a high-level Nurse Recruiter, then you can follow these steps:
1. Earn a BSN Degree
The first step is to earn a BSN degree. Some hospitals and other healthcare employers will only consider applicants with these qualifications. Earning a BSN degree will set you up for better job opportunities, higher earning potential, and a substantially greater job outlook.
Candidates of BSN programs must usually submit various application materials, such as academic transcripts, GRE scores, personal essays, and letters of recommendation.
Core nursing classes during a BSN program often include the following topics:
- Professional nursing
- Health assessment
- Family nursing
- Medical and surgical care
- Nursing management
- Psychosocial nursing
Note: A Nurse Recruiter may also study human resources, psychology, sociology, and marketing. These areas would provide beneficial skills and help a candidate stand out.
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN Licensure Exam
Before becoming a Registered Nurse, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) developed two exams to test the competence of aspiring RNs and LPNs/LVNs.
Learn more about the NCLEX and what to expect with this detailed FAQ section.
(Click here to learn how to become an RN)
3. Gain Related Experience
If you’re looking to become a Nurse Recruiter, you may need to gain experience working in the field as well as your chosen specialization. Some employers require at least two to four years of related experience.
Nurse Recruiter School Cost
So, how much does it cost to become a Nurse Recruiter? As previously stated, most Nurse Recruiters will at least have a bachelor’s degree. It is recommended that they obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
The cost of your BSN degree will normally depend on the institution. However, you can probably expect to pay anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000 when this process is all said and done.
Work from Home Opportunities
You can start your journey to becoming a Nurse Recruiter by applying for entry-level positions. Employers often list job openings through their websites or on Internet job boards. Apply for as many job openings as possible to boost your odds of landing an interview. Don’t forget to look for open positions on LinkedIn, too!
Nurse Recruiter’s Salary
How Much Does a Nurse Recruiter Make?
According to Salary.com, the average Nurse Recruiter salary is around $87,000 per year or about $42 per hour. While their typical salary range falls between $76,000 and $98,000, Nurse Recruiters earning salaries in the 90th percentile can make more than $109,000 per year.
(Click here to learn about the highest paid nursing jobs).
Nurse Recruiter Job Outlook
Although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) may not offer specific job outlook data for Nurse Recruiters at this time, but they do predict great overall growth for nursing professionals and human resources specialists through the next decade. According to the BLS, overall employment of RNs and HR specialists are both expected to grow around 10 percent by 2029.
Why Pursue a Career as a Nurse Recruiter?
If you’re looking for a new career in the nursing field, you might want to consider becoming a Nurse Recruiter. As a recruiter, you can help job seekers save time, resources, and stress. Your ability to place qualified applicants in the right positions benefits everyone involved; this includes patients and doctors, too!
If you’re an aspiring nurse but don’t know where to begin, you can earn your Vocational Nursing diploma, BSN degree, or enroll in any of our other nursing programs at Unitek College.
