Overview

The study was a qualitative research project that aimed to gain insights into the top factors that healthcare professionals look for in job descriptions when applying for travel nurse jobs. The study was conducted through interviews with four staffing recruiters at a healthcare staffing agency who have direct contact with healthcare professionals seeking travel nurse jobs.

In the healthcare staffing industry, job descriptions play a crucial role in attracting and retaining qualified healthcare professionals. To gain insights into the top factors that healthcare professionals look for in job descriptions when applying for travel nurse jobs, we conducted interviews with staffing recruiters at a healthcare staffing agency. In this report, we present the findings from the interviews and highlight key factors such as years of experience, travel experience, rotating shifts, settings, certifications, EMR type, scrub color, patient caseload, safety, and parking. We also provide recommendations for creating accurate and detailed job descriptions that can help healthcare professionals make informed decisions when applying for job openings.

Participants:

The following recruiters provided feedback:

(Names have been changed)

• David Rodriguez
• Jennifer Lee
• Leah Nguyen
• Eric Kim
• Rachel Patel
• Jasmine Singh
• Timothy Lee

This interview data provides insights on the top factors that healthcare professionals look for in a job description when applying for travel nurse jobs. The report is based on the interviews conducted with four staffing recruiters at a healthcare staffing agency.

Before I started the interviews, we as a team got together to review questions we wanted answered.

Questions we can ask Health Care Professionals about what they want to know before applying for a new opportunity include:

• What information do you typically look for in a job description before considering a new opportunity?
• What are some deal-breakers or red flags for you when reading a job description?
• How important is it to you to have detailed information about the job duties and responsibilities in a job description?
• Are there any other factors besides the job description that influence your decision to apply for a new opportunity?
• How do you typically search for job opportunities, and what role do job descriptions play in that process?

Jasmine Singh mentioned that years of experience is the top factor that healthcare professionals look for in a job description. Many job descriptions state at least one year of RN experience when it's actually two. Healthcare professionals pay attention to the details mentioned in the job description, so it's essential to provide accurate information.

The second factor that healthcare professionals look for in a job description is travel experience. Facilities like St. Mary's Hospital require at least one travel contract under the healthcare professional's belt. Travel experience is important for healthcare professionals as it demonstrates their ability to adapt to new environments and work under different circumstances.

The third factor that healthcare professionals look for in a job description is the rotating shift. The job description should specify the shift timing and duration to avoid confusion among healthcare professionals. Rachel shared that she often receives clarification requests from healthcare professionals regarding the shift timing and duration.

Eric Kim shared additional insights regarding the factors that healthcare professionals consider when applying for jobs. The job description should provide detailed information on the settings of the job, such as the acute or rehab setting, home health, or inpatient. Additionally, healthcare professionals look for specific certifications required for the job, such as BLS, ACLS, and other modalities. It's important to provide accurate information on the certifications required for the job.

Leah Nguyen mentioned that healthcare professionals also consider information related to the EMR type, scrub color, patient caseload, and facility-specific information such as the number of beds, level of trauma, and teaching facilities. Providing this information in the job description can help healthcare professionals make informed decisions about whether the job is the right fit for them.

The recruiters also discussed the importance of including bullet points in the job description to make it easier to read. Additionally, providing information about events and nearby attractions can be a selling point for healthcare professionals who may be interested in traveling to new locations.

Jasmine Singh shared that healthcare professionals are concerned about safety when working in new environments. They want to know the crime rates in the area and whether it's a safe place to work. Additionally, they are interested in parking arrangements at the facility, as some places are very straightforward with the parking arrangement, while others are not.

Yeah, like if you're say you're going into like, a city where the hospital is located, they wanna know, like they cities are, they have their crime, you know. So I think they would want to know, like, the crime rates.

This all highlights the importance of providing accurate and detailed information in job descriptions for healthcare professionals. Factors such as years of experience, travel experience, rotating shift, setting, certifications, EMR type, scrub color, patient caseload, and safety should be taken into consideration when creating job descriptions. Additionally, including bullet points, information on events and nearby attractions, and safety information can be helpful for healthcare professionals when making decisions about job applications.

After reviewing the feedback provided by the healthcare professionals and recruiters, several key findings emerged:

1. Years of experience is a crucial factor in job descriptions. Some job postings require only one year of experience when in reality, they need two or more. This discrepancy can lead to confusion and frustration for both recruiters and healthcare professionals.
2. Travel experience is often required by facilities, especially larger ones such as St. Mary's Hospital. Having at least one travel contract under their belt can be a major selling point for healthcare professionals.
3. Clarification is needed on rotating shifts and evening shifts, as there can be variations in the specific times and duration.
4. Job descriptions need to be accurate and clear. For example, an ICU burn position requiring pediatric experience can be confusing for nurses who typically only work with adult patients.
5. The charting system used by a facility is an important consideration for healthcare professionals. Nurses, in particular, may have preferences for certain systems and having that information ahead of time can be helpful.
6. Additional information, such as nearby events or attractions, can be a selling point for certain locations.
7. Safety is a major concern for healthcare professionals, especially in unfamiliar areas. Information about crime rates and safe areas around the hospital can be important factors in their decision-making process.
8. Parking can also be a concern, with some facilities not providing clear information on available parking options.

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Conclusion

It is clear that creating accurate and detailed job descriptions is crucial for attracting and retaining qualified healthcare professionals in the travel nursing industry. The study conducted qualitative user interviews with staffing recruiters at a healthcare staffing agency, providing valuable insights into the top factors that healthcare professionals look for in job descriptions when applying for travel nurse jobs.

The report highlights several key findings related to the factors that healthcare professionals consider when applying for travel nurse jobs, such as years of experience, travel experience, rotating shifts, settings, certifications, EMR type, scrub color, patient caseload, safety, and parking. Providing accurate and detailed information on these factors can help healthcare staffing agencies create job descriptions that better meet the needs and expectations of healthcare professionals.

Furthermore, the report recommends including information on safety, nearby attractions, and parking arrangements, as well as using bullet points to make job descriptions easier to read. By incorporating these recommendations, healthcare staffing agencies can create job descriptions that not only provide the necessary information for healthcare professionals, but also help to make the job postings more attractive and appealing.

In conclusion, the study emphasizes the importance of accurate and detailed job descriptions in the healthcare staffing industry, particularly for travel nurse jobs. By understanding the factors that healthcare professionals consider when applying for jobs, healthcare staffing agencies can create job descriptions that better meet the needs and expectations of their target audience. This can ultimately lead to a more positive user experience for healthcare professionals and better recruitment and retention rates for healthcare staffing agencies.

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