Online job searching shouldn’t be your only job search strategy when looking for nurse practitioner jobs. Especially considering over 80 percent of jobs are filled through networking and word-of-mouth. In fact, I recently wrote an entire blog post outlining exactly how I recommend you find a nursing job, and guess what? In that post I actually steer you away from relying on the traditional online job sites.

But stay with me!

Because there are benefits to using the internet as part of your search for jobs as a nurse practitioner. In this post we’re going to:

1. Break down the advantages of applying for NP jobs online
2. Discuss how to do so effectively, so that your application doesn’t get lost in the crowd
3. Share the best websites where you can look for nurse practitioner jobs

Your nurse practitioner job search can start online

Despite the waves caused by the pandemic, the need for healthcare workers is still growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in October, the rate of unemployment fell to 6.9 percent. These improvements are largely indicative of the beginnings of economic resurgence, and as members of a field that has not been as negatively impacted by rates of unemployment, there’s still work to be done.

A few months before I graduated from NP school back in 2011, I landed my first job through one of the big-name job search sites. My husband and I had been dating less than a year, and he got relocated to Ohio from Connecticut for work. So in spring 2011, I decided that I would be applying for licensure and looking for jobs in Ohio.

That’s when I started doing my research. First I came up with a list of practices in the area that I was interested in working with. Then, I started cold-calling! My cold calling efforts did lead to a few interviews. Ultimately, I ended up getting a position at a local university student health center through a posting I found online.

I got an interview, wrote a thank you note afterwards, and was offered the job. In that position, I worked with a team of 7 other NPs and physicians to provide urgent/preventive/and GYN care. Through that position, I was able to get a lot of hands-on training in procedures, and I learned how to manage a busy schedule of patients. I even got to spearhead a Get Yourself Tested STD testing event as well as a workshop on transgender-friendly healthcare.

All that to say, conducting your job search online can introduce you to some really great opportunities!

3 Advantages of Searching for NP Jobs Online

We essentially have the entire world at our fingertips through the internet, and to not use that to our advantage would be silly.

Using the internet to apply for NP jobs as our starting point allows us to understand:

1. What types of jobs are available in our geographic area (or the area we are moving to)
2. What the salary standards for a given area are, what organizations are hiring (and where the money is!), and
3. The kind of positions recruiting companies seem to offer the most

So, how exactly do we use the online job search process to our advantage? And what are the best websites to use when trying to find your next nurse practitioner job?

Where to Look for Nurse Practitioner Jobs Online

1. Google and Google Maps

When I first started my job search process, I used Google and Google Maps to see what was in the area to which I would be moving. When I visited my husband, I did a sort of self-guided driving tour, and from there, I came up with a list of practices I wanted to work at. I started reaching out and offering my interest in joining their provider team.

2. Indeed.com

I also took to some of the most common websites used for recruiting and job posting. I ultimately found my first NP position online through Indeed, which is one of the most commonly used hosting sites for postings, but there are others that are worth mentioning.

3. LinkedIn.com

LinkedIn has a jobs feature, and through the platform, you can promote your own profile, identify yourself as someone who is open to being contacted by recruiters, and connect with individuals that post jobs for large companies.

4. TheRemoteNurse.com

For remote NP jobs, I would suggest TheRemoteNurse.com as well. Sadie, who joined me in episode 15 of the Nurse Becoming Podcast, rounds up opportunities for nurses and NPs in one central, navigable location. Sadie also offers an early-access newsletter with information about remote nursing jobs delivered weekly, and because of my partnership with Sadie, you can use the code THERESUMERX to save 20 percent on the early alert membership!

5. 3RNet.org

If you’re looking for rural healthcare jobs, check out 3RNet.org, which is a nonprofit aimed at matching providers with opportunities in underserved communities. The Health Workforce is also a great resource for finding this kind of work.

6. ZipRecruiter or Glassdoor

You can also follow ZipRecruiter and Glassdoor for postings, but those sites will likely have a lot of duplicates of what you find on Indeed and LinkedIn.

What To Do After You’ve Applied

So, you’ve applied to nurse practitioner jobs online. What now? Now, you wait. But you can also use this time to develop a system to keep track with applications, continue our search, and widen your network. Here are 3 suggestions for how to make the most of this waiting period.

Keep Expanding Your Network

If you’re already doing part of your job search on LinkedIn, you’re in the perfect spot to continue expanding your network. There is no shame in reaching out to hiring managers and recruiting coordinators on LinkedIn! That is what the platform is there for, and showing that initiative can help you standout.

Here’s a script you can follow. Try replacing the personal comment with a reference to the job you’ve applied to.

Continue Checking Sites Regularly

Try not to waste your time searching the same sites too frequently. Job postings typically remain active for 30 days, unless the recruiter chooses to keep the posting active longer. I recommend checking sites every other day for new postings in your area, or you can set up a daily alert to your email.

Focus on Follow Up

The majority of your time should be spent applying to and following up on jobs you’ve previously applied to. It’s best to follow up after two weeks of sending in your resume. When you do follow up, keep your message short and sweet, and reiterate in your email why you are the best candidate for the job. And don’t forget to thank the recruiter or hiring manager for their time and attention!

Now that we’ve covered some of the basics of the online search process for nurse practitioner jobs, and what to do once you’ve applied, what would be most helpful for you next? Between our wonderful TRRx team and all of our friends and partners, there is a world of wisdom to share, and we’re all eager to keep the conversation going.

If you’re looking for more immediate support and guidance as you navigate life as a new nurse practitioner, download my free Nurse Practitioner Graduation Survival Guide. This free .pdf download includes a timeline of when to apply for nurse practitioner jobs online and offline, plus the basics of all the licenses and certifications you’ll need before you can work!

In the meantime, remember I’m always rooting for you.

With love,

Amanda

Frequently Asked Questions About Applying For Nurse Practitioner Jobs Online

How can a nurse practitioner make money from home?

Ways that a nurse practitioner can make money online:

• Private tutoring opportunities
• Assistant Teaching/Lab instructor/Clinical. 
• Ghost Writing/Blogging. 
• Photography. 
• IV infusion/hydration.
• Per Diem Shifts.
• Health Coach.
• Flu shot/COVID-19 vaccines or testing.

Can you work remotely as a nurse practitioner?

Nurse practitioners can work full-time or part-time positions that allow them to work at home. State laws dictate what licensure, education, supervision, and training they need to operate as a telemedicine practitioner.

What NP is highest in demand?

The most popular NP specialty is family practice. This is likely due to the flexibility. If you pursue FNP —you can work in family medicine, urgent care, and most specialty clinics, including palliative care, and hospice.