As a nurse, you have committed your life to caring for others, but does the work you do fuel your passion for nursing and bring you reward? If not, maybe you’re ready for a switch to home health care, where one-on-one care makes nursing an intensely personal and rewarding career. Finding the right employer is key because when you do work that really matters, it matters where you work. So, here are some factors to consider.
Evaluating a company’s fit for you
Think about what’s important to you, as everyone has different needs and preferences. Consider factors such as:
- Experience: When was the company started? Some companies have made home health care their focus for decades, while others are newcomers. Some are well-established companies that have only recently added home health care to their range of services. A history of continued focus on home health care is a strong predictor of lasting success.
- Size: Smaller companies can feel warmer and more personal than larger companies, but larger ones often have more resources and opportunities available to offer their employees. Smaller, locally based companies may be more attuned to the needs of their communities while larger companies have a broader scope that tends to be more responsive to nationwide trends in health care changes. There are also companies that combine the best of both: Nationally established providers that operate locally through regional offices, like BAYADA does.
- Reputation: How is the company rated by leading authorities in health care? Check if the company’s accredited. The strongest companies voluntarily seek accreditation from leading independent accrediting agencies, such as Community Health Accreditation Partners (CHAP).
- Innovation: An innovative company will take advantage of new technologies to enhance how you care for your clients. How does this company respond to changes in health care delivery? Are they leaders and innovators with technology? Are they responding to trends in medical technology or leading them?
- Appreciation: Do not overlook this point when seeking a new employer: Does the company value its employees? How do they show their appreciation? Investigate specific benefits, perks, and programs a company has in place for employees who maintain high standards of safety and care.
- Growth opportunities: Does the company care about your future? Are they committed to offering opportunities to advance your career? Do they encourage continued education and training? Look for a company that offers education programs, scholarship opportunities, and financial support to help you develop to your full potential.
- Values: Is this company as caring as you are? You can often find a company’s values expressed in their mission statement. Some go even further, outlining a set of core values and beliefs that guide their company at every level, from client treatment to employee support.
Building a strong resume for nurse positions
Once you know exactly what you’re looking for in a company, you’re ready to show potential employers that you are exactly what they’re looking for in an employee. The ideal resume should be as unique as you are and project just as much experience. Be sure to express that you’re not only skilled, but that you’re compassionate, caring, and reliable. Here are the top ten things to include on your resume when applying for a job in home health care.
- Certifications: Show off your specialties in certain types of care. If you are certified in wound care, pediatrics, or tracheostomy, highlight that on your resume.
- Education: Include the name of the school(s) and the date(s) you earned your degree(s).
- Advanced degrees: Have you earned your BSN? MSN? DNP? Don’t leave anything out.
- State licenses: Include all sates in which you are licensed to practice.
- Experience: Longevity looks better. Having all your experience on your resume helps. Include specialized skills or trainings (no certification required).
- Names of previous employers and dates of employment
- Anything that demonstrates you have experience managing others: Were you a charge nurse? Did you oversee anyone including other nurses, patient technicians, or home health aides?
- Per-diem work: Experience is experience, regardless of whether it was as a full-time employee or as needed.
- Volunteer and community work: Many nurses volunteer their time. If you have, let a potential employer know that caring is more than just your career.
- What you want to do and why you’re qualified: This should be a brief summary at the beginning of your resume. Say exactly what makes you qualified to perform the job you’re interested in, share your career goals, and give an insight into what motivates you.
How to maximize success before, during, and after your interview
Before your interview
- Be accessible. Update all hiring tools such as Indeed and LinkedIn with your best contact information, make sure your voicemail is not full, and check your email and voicemail often. Most importantly, respond promptly to potential employers if interested.
- Do your research. Once you have an interview scheduled, research the company. Be as knowledgeable as you can be on who they are and what they do; it will show in your interview. Once you feel comfortable in your knowledge of the company, think of all the things you don’t know and prepare questions based on that. This will show your interest. Think of questions you might be asked as well and practice answering them.
During your interview
- Be yourself. You are a caring, qualified person. It’s why you’re there. You began your career in health care because you have a passion for helping those in need. All you need to do to let that passion show is to be yourself.
- Make eye contact to show you are interested and engaged.
- Dress professionally.
- Minimize distractions. Set your interview when you can be as attentive as possible.
After your interview
- Follow up. Send a thank you email to your interviewer(s) shortly after. If you haven’t heard anything, wait two weeks to touch base again unless they gave you a specific timeframe for their response and next steps.
Begin searching for the right home health job
Talk to people you know in the home health care industry and look online at companies that interest you. Finding the right company for you may take some time and effort, but it’s worthwhile. Consider your research an investment in your future. By taking time to ask crucial questions and evaluate a company’s fit for you, you get closer and closer to finding your perfect match – a company that cares about you just as much as you care for your clients.
Love what you do with BAYADA
With hundreds of offices and multiple specialty practices nationwide, BAYADA offers unlimited opportunities for nurses at every stage of their career, with flexible full-time, part-time, and per-diem schedules. Reach out to us below for help with finding your perfect fit.