The Full Court Press: Mastering Perseverance in Nurse and CNA Recruitment
In the fast-paced world of healthcare recruitment, landing the best nurses and certified nurse aides (CNAs) often feels like a marathon, not a sprint. With a persistent nursing shortage and high demand for skilled caregivers, standing out to potential candidates requires more than a single outreach attempt—it demands a "full court press," a relentless strategy of perseverance that keeps your facility in their minds. Rather than waiting for applicants to apply, proactively find their resumes on job boards or professional networks and invite them to join your team, turning passive candidates into active prospects. By mastering this approach, you can transform hesitant individuals into committed hires, even in today’s competitive market.
The cornerstone of the full court press is consistent, multi-channel follow-up. Start by sending a personalized text message introducing your facility and highlighting a key benefit—like flexible scheduling or a supportive team—within 24 hours of identifying their resume. Follow this with a concise, professional email within 48 hours, reiterating the opportunity and adding a unique detail, such as a recent staff success story. Next, leave a friendly voicemail a day later, emphasizing your genuine interest in their skills and inviting a callback. Repeat this cycle—text, email, voicemail—every three to five days for two weeks, adjusting your message to avoid redundancy while showing persistence.
Why does this work? Data from recruitment trends in 2025 suggests that candidates often need 7-10 touchpoints before responding, especially in healthcare where burnout and skepticism about job offers are high. A study by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing notes that 30% of nurses consider multiple offers before deciding, making your persistence and proactive outreach a key differentiator. For example, a CNA whose resume shows wound care experience might respond after a fourth outreach if you highlight your facility’s advanced wound care unit in a voicemail, offering a tailored solution.
To execute this effectively, keep your tone positive and respectful—avoid sounding desperate or pushy. Use a CRM tool (even a free one like HubSpot’s starter plan) to track touchpoints and personalize each message with the candidate’s name or a detail from their resume. After two weeks of consistent outreach without a response, shift to a lighter touch, such as a monthly newsletter update about your facility, keeping the door open for future interest. This strategy not only fills positions faster but also builds a reputation as a facility that values talent, potentially attracting referrals. Start applying this today, and watch your recruitment efforts transform into a steady stream of dedicated nurses and CNAs.