Why Good Travel Nurses Are Struggling to Find Jobs Right Now

“I’m an experienced nurse… why am I suddenly struggling to get a travel assignment? I’ve never had an issue like this before!”

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. As a travel nurse recruiter for over 17 years, I’ve seen how this market is testing even the most experienced travelers. Read on to find out why good travel nurses are struggling to find jobs, and what you can do about it.

The Travel Nursing Market Has Shifted 

The travel nursing job market is slower right now for a variety of reasons. As hospitals and facilities are still recovering from COVID, many are working hard to drive travelers back to staff positions, including offering sign-on bonuses and other incentives. Some hospitals have even started their own internal contract staffing program.

Additionally, there is a supply and demand issue where the market is still saturated with travelers who started traveling during COVID or shortly thereafter. This creates more competition for the jobs that are out there.

There’s also still some lingering financial uncertainty for many facilities, such as layoffs, unit or facility closures, and reduced budgets, which ultimately impacts the availability of travel nursing jobs and rates.

While this is the reality, this isn’t cause to panic. Rather, this is an opportunity to pivot.

Flexibility = More Options

Being flexible has always been a “flex” if you will, but it matters now more than ever. Travelers who are keeping an open mind with location, pay, shift/schedule, unit/setting, time off, start dates, etc. will have more options to choose from. Having more options means a higher likelihood of snagging an assignment.

You don’t have to drop every deal-breaker, but staying open where you can, even temporarily, can make a big difference in your options.

Example: Consider getting licensed in a non-compact state like New York, California, Oregon, etc. The costs are typically reimbursable, and you’ll have less competition for jobs.

Patience Is Part of the Process

With more candidates to choose from, hospitals and facilities can be pickier when it comes to candidates. An influx of submissions also means that hiring managers take more time to interview. This leads to submitting to more positions than usual to get that offer.

It’s important to note that not getting a response does not reflect your skills or qualifications. I totally understand that not hearing from anyone after submitting to 5+ positions is frustrating, but it’s not unusual right now. Don’t take it personally, stay engaged with your recruiter, keep the lines of communication open, and keep trying.

Your Profile Should Work as Hard as You Do

Collaborate with your recruiter on ways to make your profile stand out in a crowded market. Most nurses undersell themselves on their resumes. I know putting a resume together can sometimes be intimidating, but this is where having an experienced recruiter comes in handy.

A savvy recruiter will ignore the “keep your resume to one page” rule and go heavy on details, showcasing your specific skills, the specific patient types or cases you’ve cared for, the ratios and acuity you’ve been accustomed to, any certifications, leadership roles, EMR experience, etc.

A pointer here is to think like a hiring manager. What would YOU want to know about a candidate before deciding whether they fit your unit and culture well?

✅How to Build a Standout Travel Nurse Profile

Hang Tight! This Market WILL Shift (Eventually)

Competition is higher, rates are lower, but as with many things in life, this is a cycle. What goes up must come down (and vice versa) so the pendulum will swing in the other direction at some point. I hope this has provided some clarity around why good travel nurses are struggling to find jobs.

In the meantime, what you can control is your flexibility, your profile, and your recruiter partnerships.

If you’re looking for someone who keeps it real, works hard, and acts quickly on your behalf, I’m here and would be glad to connect.

Apply with Axis Medical Today!