Tips for RNs Applying to Home Health Care Companies

Search any online job board and the current nursing shortage will be obvious: just about every health care organization is recruiting for nurses—and many of them have several open positions. With so many to choose from, it can become challenging to whittle them down to the ones that fit your skills, needs, and interests. Conversely, just because RNs like you are in demand, it doesn’t mean that a home health care company will hire you just because you apply. You still have to demonstrate that you’re the right person for the job.

Before you get started…

Look for a company with:

• Stability – How long have they been around? Have they been sold multiple times or merged with other organizations? Have they had sustainable leadership?
• A mission-driven culture – Are they dedicated to helping people stay safe at home because they truly believe it’s the right thing to do? Do they look to hire like-minded people who share the same sense of caring and purpose?
• A good reputation – What are people saying about the company? Are employees happy? Do they get high patient satisfaction scores? Are they accredited?
• Growth opportunities – Do they provide ongoing training to keep your skills current or to teach you something new? Do they offer scholarships for education? Do they have career advancement opportunities?

Building your resume…

Be sure to express that you’re not only skilled, but that you’re compassionate, caring, and reliable. A reputable and caring home health care employer will want to be sure you have those key traits; they are critical for providing meaningful one-on-one care. You should also:

• List specializations and certifications, including types of care such as wound care, pediatrics, or tracheostomy and ventilator care.
• Detail your experience. Specific experience, such as intensive care nursing or Medicare documentation, is very important to include.
• List all your degrees, states in which you are licensed, and where you received your education.
• Include a cover letter that briefly explains a little about yourself and why you’re interested in the position. Gear it toward a specific company and the opportunity being offered.
• Keep it completely professional; avoid adding any personal information.
• Offer professional references, such as colleagues and managers.

Preparing for your interview…

Once you have scheduled an interview, be sure to:

• Research the company. You should know as much as you can so you’ll be knowledgeable about who they are and what they do. Employers like to see that candidates have shown interest in finding out about them.
• Prepare questions for them and practice answering questions they may ask you.

During your interview…

These may seem obvious, but don’t forget to:

• Make good eye contact; it shows you’re interested and engaged.
• Dress appropriately. Although the potential position may require you to wear traditional nurses’ scrubs, you should still dress professionally for the interview.
• Keep your phone on silent; don’t be distracted.

After your interview…

Regardless of how you thought the interview went, you should:

• Follow up with a thank you email to everyone with whom you interviewed. Do it within a day or two and keep it short and sweet—don’t rehash your entire interview.
• Touch base in two weeks or so If you haven’t heard anything, unless they gave you a specific timeframe for their response and next steps.

Note: Be careful with what you post on social media. Some employers will check!

Good luck!