Help is on the Way! An Interview with Our Founder Ryan Smeets

Are you frustrated with your job? Are you annoyed at the thought of applying to a bunch of nursing positions and not getting a response? There are plenty of reasons why you may feel that way, especially when you want a new position as a nurse and can’t seem to find the perfect fit. There can be a multitude of reasons why you may want to find a new job. From dissatisfaction with pay to burnout, nurses are looking for change. A recent study found that job burnout and compassion fatigue go hand in hand. Finding a job that is a better fit for you may help resolve this issue. Ryan Smeets, CEO of EARN Cares, knows how to make this happen. 

How it Began

The initial inspiration behind EARN Cares goes beyond the current climate of the healthcare field. As a child, Ryan’s parents referred to him as their “miracle child” due to illness and spending a significant amount of time in the hospital with asthma, nephrotic syndrome and chronic allergies. Ryan attributes his inspiration to the nurses in his life who cared for him during those times. 

Fast-forward from his childhood to just before the pandemic, Ryan was dabbling in recruiting and was frustrated by the lack of transparency in business models, specifically travel nursing. Wondering if there was a better way to rethink those models, Ryan formulated a plan to go directly to the source and invited nurses into the recruiting process. He found that this plan validated and helped other nurses and didn’t exploit their talents. 

How EARN Works

As the backbone of the healthcare industry, nurses need a streamlined process that can find opportunities personalized to them. Ryan says that he’s discovered apps and job sites that put their focus in the wrong place—money. While finances are a valid reason for travel nursing, it’s not often why individuals have chosen this career. All of the sites and technologies just create more black holes.

According to Ryan: “EARN exists to improve the speed and matching of professional nurses to employers who are true to their mission. We take this seriously and while we rely on technology to improve the hiring process we do not make it our ultimate goal. Instead, we rely on trust and credibility built through relationships and real-time conversations to provide confidential resources to nurses so they can make employment choices on their terms and long-term desires.”

Travel vs. Full-Time

EARN focuses on finding full-time, permanent positions for nurses in a variety of healthcare settings. Ryan has found that the differences between full-time and travel positions come down to loyalty, pay, and choice. “When you take a travel role, the pay can outweigh other factors but it could end sooner than you desire, leaving you on the lookout for another role or with the hope that you will get an extension,” Ryan says. Full-time jobs can also come with great benefits and some jobs have additional opportunities within that same organization. Flexibility and trust are also qualities to build upon when you have secured a full-time position.

Beyond the Application

In 2020, The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 194,500 openings are expected for nurses each year until 2030. By using EARN Cares, you can get ahead of the curve and find the position that suits you best. One hurdle that stands in the way of a nurse and the organization to which they are applying—having the right eyes viewing the application. EARN’s unique process includes the nurses themselves in the recruiting process by relying on their intellect, experience, and instincts. Ryan shares that EARN prides itself on transparency in making its business model mutually beneficial to all involved. 

Every nurse who uses EARN Cares will complete a friendly, 15-minute free and confidential evaluation via video interview. Ryan states: “Our team of nurses will take you through an interview that highlights you!” During this quick interview, Ryan’s team learns what makes you as a nurse unique. After your interview, they work to curate, share, or find new roles that may interest you. Their goal is to build a community of amazing, growth-minded nurses that EARN Cares can precisely present with opportunities. 

Now is Your Time

Are you ready to invest 15 minutes into a new career that you will love? Ryan says: “Help is on the way!” EARN Cares is ready to meet you where you are and help get you to where you want to go. No more submitting applications knowing you will never hear back. Say goodbye to those frustrations of the past. Better work-life balance? Check. Less stress about obtaining a new job? Check. It’s free? Check. Knowing that the EARN Cares process works? Check. There’s nothing else left for you to do except schedule a quick evaluation. Ryan's team will gladly take care of the rest.

Interested in hearing more about the EARN Cares story? Listen to Ryan’s recent appearance on the Courageous Economy Podcast.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, 

at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm (visited July 17, 2022).

Zhang, Ying-ying MDa; Zhang, Cheng MDb; Han, Xiao-Rong MDc; Li, Weid; Wang, Ying-lei MDe,* Determinants of compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue and burn out in nursing, Medicine: June 2018 - Volume 97 - Issue 26

Katherine Wylie, BSN, RN provides written health content for W Health Publications. She has worked as a RN for over 10 years in various specialties. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside exploring with her husband and two kids in North Carolina.