How to Get Unstuck in Your Nursing Career and Find a New Role
Aussie Nurse Recruiters - Liam & Michelle
Blog Post by Liam
After 12 years of working as a nurse and moving roles over 15 times, I felt stuck and lost, with no clear direction or path forward, until I engaged a nursing recruiter, and my career opportunities expanded beyond what I thought was possible.
We all know the challenges of a nursing career can weigh heavily, and sometimes it seems like there’s nowhere to turn for help and support; at least, this was my experience.
But the truth is, there’s always a way through, and it starts with embracing the idea that change is not only possible but also a regular part of a career journey.
I have spent the last four years sharing my story, helping nurses across Australia to take control of their careers, nurse on their terms and get unstuck. Here are my top tips to help you do the same:
- Leverage your UNIQUE Nursing Strengths
Nursing brings out a unique set of strengths in every individual—whether it’s exceptional patient care, leadership, teaching, or technical skills. Taking time to reflect on what you do best and how those strengths can be applied to new nursing roles is key. Identifying and focusing on these strengths positions anyone as a valuable candidate for a range of nursing job opportunities. Creating a “strengths inventory” by listing top achievements, feedback received, and most enjoyed tasks can help identify nursing roles where these strengths are in demand.
- Validate your amazing Nursing experience
Experience in nursing is invaluable, even when considering a career change. Years spent in bedside care, crisis management, and patient advocacy are not just important in traditional nursing roles but also in broader healthcare settings. Validating your nursing experience involves recognising the impact made and the challenges overcome. Writing down key challenges faced in a nursing career and how they were managed can boost confidence and prepare for interviews, where these experiences can be showcased. It’s worth noting, ALL experience counts, don’t let someone tell you otherwise!
- Acknowledge the Mental and Emotional Strain of Nursing Career Change
Change, especially in a nursing career, is always challenging. The uncertainty, self-doubt, and fear of the unknown can create significant mental and emotional strain. It’s important to recognise these feelings as a normal part of the process. Surrounding oneself with supportive people who lift others up, remind them of their nursing achievements, and encourage the pursuit of the nursing jobs truly desired is crucial. Whether it’s a mentor, a friend, or a community like ANR, having a support system can make all the difference in navigating change and emerging stronger.
- Leverage the Power of Nursing Networks
Professional networks are one of the most valuable assets when considering a nursing career change. Reaching out to colleagues, mentors, and even former managers to let them know that a nursing job change is on the horizon can open doors. Often, the best nursing jobs aren’t advertised but are found through word of mouth, through recruiters (Like Aussie Nurse Recruiters) and personal connections. Putting the word out that a change is desired increases the chances of being recommended for roles that align with personal nursing career goals. Networking can also provide insights into different nursing roles or healthcare organisations that may not have been considered. Don't sleep on networking!
- Connect with an Empowering Nursing Community
Finding support and encouragement is essential when navigating a nursing career change. Joining a free non social media, app based community like Aussie Nurse Recruiters (ANR) can be a transformative experience. ANR offers a platform specifically designed for Australian nurses to connect, share experiences, and access resources that assist in navigating the nursing career journey. It’s a place where you can find nursing career advice, job opportunities, and a community that understands the unique challenges faced by nurses in Australia. Created by nurses for nurses, it's the place to be when you are exploring your next possible career opportunities!
- Put the Feelers Out to Nursing Recruiters
I spent years scrolling job boards wasting all my time, before I knew that nursing recruiters even existed. Nursing recruiters often act as the bridge between the current nursing situation and where one wants to be. Connecting with nursing-specific recruiters like those at ANR provides access to a wealth of knowledge about the current nursing job market, in-demand nursing skills, and potential career paths. By leveraging the power of nursing recruiters, it becomes easier to navigate career transitions, uncover exclusive nursing job opportunities, and prepare effectively for nursing interviews. Register for Aussie Nurse Recruiters here.
- Update LinkedIn for Inbound Nursing Job Offers
LinkedIn is a powerful tool in the nursing job search arsenal. An updated and well-crafted LinkedIn profile can attract nursing recruiters and employers, leading to inbound nursing job offers. #easyjobhunting. In our Aussie Nurse Community app, we are launching a FREE Linkedin Makeover step by step course, so you don't have to spend hours trying to figure out where to start! If you want the job market to come to you, get on Linkedin and have a excellent search optimised profile, with our free course here.
- Broaden Nursing Horizons
Getting unstuck in a nursing career sometimes requires thinking outside the box. Exploring roles that may not have been initially considered—such as non-clinical nursing positions, nursing education, consulting, or roles in emerging areas like telehealth or healthcare technology—can open up new nursing career possibilities. Attending nursing industry conferences, webinars, or online courses can help explore emerging fields and broaden one’s nursing career horizons.
- Utilise Nursing-Specific Job Boards
Using job boards that cater specifically to nurses makes the nursing job search process more efficient. Platforms like ANR’s job board are designed with nurses in mind, offering roles specifically tailored to the nursing profession. Setting up nursing job alerts and filtering searches to find the most relevant nursing positions can make the job search easier and more targeted. We co-created our job board with over 200 nurses of all levels Australia-wide so that you can spend less time scrolling and get straight to the roles you desire.
Embracing Change in a Nursing Career and Moving Forward
Feeling stuck in a nursing career is a common experience, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. By embracing change, leveraging nursing strengths and networks, and connecting with supportive nursing communities, finding new and fulfilling nursing job opportunities is possible.
At Aussie Nurse Recruiters, support is available every step of the way. Join the free ANR community today—a dedicated app focused on the personal and professional development of nurses across Australia. Here, nurses can thrive in their careers with access to resources, job alerts, and a supportive network of nursing peers and experts.
As a special offer, NurseLifeAus readers can enjoy a 10% discount when joining the ANR community. Register to access this exclusive benefit. Thank you to Meg from NurseLifeAus for this kind gesture!
About Aussie Nurse Recruiters
Aussie Nurse Recruiters is a permanent nursing recruitment and retention company, helping organisations find talented nurses and midwives of all levels across Australia. We are a community-driven platform designed to empower Australian nurses in their personal and professional journeys. By offering tailored nursing job opportunities, professional development resources, and a strong support network, ANR helps nurses navigate their careers with confidence. The platform is built by nurses, for nurses, ensuring that every tool and resource is relevant and effective.
5 Ways you can connect with Aussie Nurse Recruiters:
1) Register for Job Alerts here (Nurses/Midwives)
2) Register a permanent nursing vacancy here (Nurse Managers)
3) Check out our Australia wide Job Opportunities
4) Connect with us on Linkedin
5) Join our ANR Community (Free CPD for Nurses and Midwives of all levels)
Follow Aussie Nurse Recruiters on:
Have any questions or need more information? Don’t hesitate to reach out and email us at hello@aussienurserecruiters.com - we are here to help!
About the Author: Liam Caswell (RN/MIPH/MHM) is the Co-Founder of Aussie Nurse Recruiters, a permanent nurse recruitment and retention company, helping Australian organisations find excellent high performing permanent nurses and midwives.