Dialing Up

With the national RN vacancy rate hovering at 8.5 percent, employers are looking for new and different ways of connecting with potential candidates. One innovative technique that has been used locally is the recruitment telethon. RNs can call in on a specified day and discuss career opportunities with representatives from human resources and the nursing staff.

Comfort And Convenience

"We wanted to make it more convenient than the traditional open house. So we asked nurses to call in on a January Sunday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.," says Trudy Knoepke-Campbell, director of workforce planning at HealthEast Care System, which has pioneered the use of the telethon in the Twin Cities.

Candidates didn't have to arrange for time off from work, hire a babysitter, brave the wind chill or drive through snow and ice. Instead they could explore employment possibilities from the comfort of their own home, while sitting in their favorite chair.

"We thought about calling it a pajama party, because callers could literally look for a new nursing position in their jammies," Knoepke-Campbell says.

A Quality Conversation

Even though a phone interview is more relaxed than a face-to-face meeting with a recruiter, candidates still need to make a good impression. You may be wearing jammies, but you should sound as professional as possible.

So before you pick up the phone, make sure that you can count on 15 to 20 minutes of uninterrupted time. If you're calling from a cell phone, make sure your phone is charged and your service is reliable. "If you're in the car, please be safe and pull over, and ask the kids to be quiet," Knoepke-Campbell advises. "Try to make it a quality conversation."

Do Your Homework

Review your rŽsumŽ before you call, and be able to articulate your background and experience. Visit the employer's website. Familiarize yourself with the organization's philosophy, size and scope.

Think about your goals. Maybe you want to transition from caring for medical/surgical patients to working in the OR. Or perhaps you'd like to work on a rehabilitation unit. "We're more interested in what you want to move into than what you want to get away from," Knoepke-Campbell says.

Prepare your questions. Here are some you may want to ask:

• What are the differences among sites within the system?

• Given my interests, which one would be the best fit for me?

• What opportunities does the organization offer for career development?

• What kind of orientation do you provide?

• Do you provide support or mentoring for new hires?

Be Specific

"Healthcare organizations are looking for engaged people who can bring value to the culture of their unit, to their peers and to their patients," Knoepke-Campbell says.

So be prepared to describe how you've contributed to your organization. Give specific examples. For instance, talk about your service on the hospital's safety committee, your participation in process improvement or your involvement in patient advocacy.

Always maintain a professional tone because this phone conversation could lead to a satisfying new job - even if you are wearing your jammies.