Seeking Employment as a PMHNP
Let's talk about navigating the job market
One thing that is interesting about the RN —> PMHNP route is that not everyone spends time working within a psychiatric hospital. Depending on your experience as an RN you may not have any “friends” working as PMHNPs. This can create a bit of difficulty in seeking your first PMHNP position due to lack of contacts. However, it does not need to be a stumbling block!
****For any students or prospective PMHNP’s reading this, I would recommend beginning your job search as a student. It will help you big time. In fact, I would suggest that you begin working in a level 1 psychiatric hospital while completing your studies. This will offer you a large pool of friends, many of whom will be interested in your success. They can provide referrals and insights and perhaps make meaningful introductions to hiring managers. You will be surprised how easily you can have a job offer prior to even graduating.****
With that said, as previously mentioned, not everyone did spend time working in a psychiatric hospital. If this is you, you may be wondering how can I find and secure a job? I’m not going to lie… as a new graduate PMHNP, especially one with few contacts, the job market can be overwhelming and competitive.
With many experienced practitioners also seeking employment, it can be difficult to stand out among the crowd. However, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of finding a job that fits your career goals and interests.
Network, network, network! It is never too late to begin to develop a network. Look out for Facebook groups, create a LinkedIn account and be outgoing. You may not know someone that is hiring PMHNP’s, but it is very likely that you know someone who does. Leverage existing relationships of trust to help you stick out from the crowd. If possible, begin building relationships with other PMHNPs in your area. Attend networking events, join professional organizations, and reach out to practitioners you admire. This includes former preceptors. They may know of job openings or be able to put in a good word for you with their colleagues.
Tailor your resume and cover letter. Make sure your resume highlights your unique skills and experiences that align with the position you're applying for. Also, be sure to customize your cover letter for each job you apply to. Show the employer how your qualifications match their needs.
Highlight your clinical experience. If you have experience working with a specific population or in a certain setting, make sure to highlight it on your resume and in your cover letter. It can make you a more attractive candidate.
Be proactive. Don't wait for jobs to come to you. Reach out to clinics, hospitals and other healthcare organizations that interest you. Inquire about potential job openings or ask if they are accepting resumes.
Be consistent. Just because you applied to a position once and didn't hear anything back doesn’t mean that you were rejected. In fact, it is possible that your application wasn’t even seen. Refer to point #2 & make sure that your resume utilizes key words that the employer would be interested in, as they may use a software which scans resume's looking for such words.
Remember, it's all about standing out from the rest of the candidates. Show your potential employer that you are a dedicated, skilled, and eager PMHNP who will bring value to their team. Keep in mind that finding a job can be a long process, but persistence will pay off. Good luck!