Recruiting the Right Nurse Practitioner for Your Organization
In the United States, the number of nurse practitioners almost doubled in the decade from 2004 to 2014, starting at 106,000 and ending at 205,000, according to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
By 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that this number had grown to more than 263,000. It expects this number to grow by another 117,000 over the next decade. With such high demand for nurse practitioners, how can you attract and hire the most talented?
What to Look for in a Nurse Practitioner
Salaries for nurse practitioners are likely a big spend for your organization, and as such you want to make sure you are only hiring the best candidates for the job. According to the BLS, the median yearly salary for a nurse practitioner in 2019 was $115,800 per year.
With a higher standard salary, you need a nurse practitioner that will bring value to your organization, fulfil their duties efficiently and effectively, and fit into your organization’s culture. Here are some characteristics to look for during the hiring process for a nurse practitioner.
Endurance
Nurse practitioner roles can be demanding both physically and mentally. You should employ candidates who have the endurance to work on their feet for long hours.
Patients are sometimes difficult. Then there are the unexpected medical emergencies that disrupt daily routine. You must attract candidates who have the mental endurance to keep calm in stressful situations.
During the interview process, ask candidates how they deal with the mental and physical stress of the job. Take note of those who are aware of the challenges of the job and have a personal process in place to help them self-manage. This may include taking regular rests, doing meditation in their free time, or other mental exercises that reduce stress levels.
Communication
Communication is key in any job. However, for nurse practitioners it is especially important. Not only do they need to show they will be able to effectively communicate with another member of the team and management, but they must also show they can communicate with patients.
Patients may have limited literacy skills, disabilities that make communication more complicated, or not be native English speakers. In these examples, a nurse practitioner who is an exceptional communicator will increase your organization’s reputation and efficiency.
During interviews, you should ask candidates to give an example of a time that they found it difficult to communicate with patients, and how they overcame this problem.
Patience
Patience is a character trait that benefits all nurse practitioners. Dealing with sick patients can be difficult. The job is further complicated with the added stress of dealing with family and loved ones.
Healthcare is a complex topic, and patients may not understand what a nurse is trying to convey to them. Your nurse practitioners should demonstrate they have the patience to deal with every type of patient they may be required to care for. Probe how they explain what is happening to a patient and listen to ensure that they communicate in a way that patients and their relatives will understand.
Caring
High salaries can attract nursing staff whose main motivation is the money and not treating patients. The best nurse practitioners are passionate about their patients and the care they provide.
In your hiring process, look for signs that money is more important than providing empathetic care. The best nursing staff can relate to patients and work autonomously. Listen to what the candidate says during interviews, including at what point they first mention salary and benefits. If it is early in the process, it may be that this candidate will not be right for you.
To Sum Up
With the number of nursing jobs exploding in the US, finding the best candidates for your vacant nursing positions is becoming more difficult. When searching for and interviewing candidates, distinguishing the above characteristics will help to identify the most talented nurse practitioners.
This type of screening is just part of what we do at Loyal Source. For help recruiting top talent for your nurse practitioner roles, contact us today.