Experienced RN: How to move into Management position

1 so much good advice here, so I have a question.

I have been a nurse for 18years and i have thoroughly enjoyed different kinds of positions...ICU, marketing liason, parish nursing, precerting for insurance companies and being a nurse coordinator for a not for profit. Just 6 months ago I got a MHA/education degree. while I was doing that i worked as a staff nurse in a hospital.

I did not realize how hard it would be getting back into a leadership position. there are no leadership jobs available in the current hospital where I work and since the pay was modest I have turned to travel nursing and am curren tly on assignment.

this is the deal: I love patient care and have always focused on meeting my patients needs directly or indirectly. I want to help organizations fulfill their mission by meeting these needs and I want to bring to bear all of my talents and education to make this happen. I cant seem to get 5 blocks into getting into a professional job and so i'm feeling stuck at the bedside. any advice? besides apply, apply, apply.