{"id":12906,"date":"2023-12-07T08:00:22","date_gmt":"2023-12-07T13:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advertise.nurse.com\/?p=12906"},"modified":"2025-08-18T13:02:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T17:02:11","slug":"9-tips-recruiting-nurses-cold-calls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nurse.com\/solutions\/blog\/9-tips-recruiting-nurses-cold-calls","title":{"rendered":"9 Tips for Recruiting Nurses Through Cold Calls"},"content":{"rendered":"

Calling a nurse can be intimidating \u2014 especially if they haven’t applied for a job. But whether they\u2019ve submitted applications or not, more nurses are on the job hunt now than ever. Nationwide surveys have found <\/strong>that at least a third of nurses<\/strong><\/a> plan to leave their jobs in the next year. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Nurses are currently experiencing incredible stress levels. In a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey, almost half<\/a> of healthcare workers reported burnout<\/a>, and 44% want to leave the healthcare profession entirely.<\/p>\n

As a recruiter, you can make a difference. For some nurses, a position change could bring job satisfaction<\/a> and keep them in the profession.<\/p>\n

Tips for cold calling nurses<\/h2>\n

Cold calls are a numbers game. Inevitably, you\u2019ll reach out to nurses who are not interested and even hang up on you. Recognize that it is not personal.<\/p>\n

Some nurses will be open to talking. Try the following strategies to maximize your success with your conversations.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0 Have a clear goal<\/h3>\n

Before calling, identify a single goal for your conversation. You may not always be able to move from a cold call to an interview, but you can ask if the nurse has considered a job change and schedule a follow-up to keep the conversation going. A clear goal will help you target your discussion and make you more likely to accomplish it.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0 Engaging call opening<\/h3>\n

When a nurse answers a call from an unknown number, you only have a few seconds to communicate that you are someone they may want to talk to. One of the best ways is to make an honest, personal connection.<\/p>\n

Try this script:<\/p>\n

Hi, _____, my name is ______.<\/em><\/p>\n

I work for __________. I\u2019m checking to see if you have thought about a new position. I saw you have (skills)_______, and you have a lot to offer. I would love to hear more about you if you have a minute to talk. <\/em><\/p>\n

Generally, people love to talk about themselves, and nurses are no exception. The best way to win enough trust to encourage them to speak to you is to keep your requests simple and honest.<\/p>\n

If you reach a voicemail, follow the same strategy. State your name and the best number to contact you. Let them know that you will check back. A nurse may forget to call you back, even if they\u2019re interested but will answer the phone the second time when they recognize your phone number.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0 Choose the time of day carefully<\/h3>\n

Unless you have a clear indication that your nurse prospect does not work nights, avoid calling in the morning. Nothing will sour your call faster than waking up a nurse who just worked a 12- to 14-hour shift and fell asleep an hour ago.<\/p>\n

A typical schedule for a nurse working 12-hour night shifts is to sleep between 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. This schedule can vary greatly depending on where they are in their shift rotation and their at-home responsibilities, but 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. is usually a good time to call. Pay attention to their location and any time zone differences, too.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0 Research<\/h3>\n

Research extensively and find out all you can before dialing. Check out your prospect’s social media. If a nurse has an active profile, they are likely open to a career change whether you see signs of it on the profile. A nurse may refrain from posting that they\u2019re seeking work to avoid alerting managers.<\/p>\n

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5.\u00a0\u00a0 Know what nurses want<\/h3>\n

Understanding what motivates<\/a> nurses in a job search can help you highlight features of your position they care about. Pay and benefits are essential, but for most nurses, work-life balance is also high on the list. What does work-life balance look like to a nurse? Here are some examples:<\/p>\n