[grapejuice01]

Im graduating with my BSN in December and Im wondering when you all started doing applications (or even contacting HR departments and nurse managers regarding employment) before you graduated. Im currently working as an extern in the ER but my goal is to work in the NICU... at my hospital externs get "first dibs" on the internships, but Im wondering when I should start applying and such.

Thanks!

[smilin_gp]

You might contact HR and ask when they prefer their new-grad position applications in by. I think this varies between hospitals and regions. In my area, most wanted them about 3 months ahead of graduation.

[MIA-RN1]

Originally Posted by grapejuice01

Im graduating with my BSN in December and Im wondering when you all started doing applications (or even contacting HR departments and nurse managers regarding employment) before you graduated. Im currently working as an extern in the ER but my goal is to work in the NICU... at my hospital externs get "first dibs" on the internships, but Im wondering when I should start applying and such.

Thanks!

do it now. I graduated in May and started looking the previous October. I had my job lined up by early November, and got one with sweet hours that I wanted, versus the leftovers that others got later.

[LanaBanana]

Maybe you could go ahead and talk to the nurse manager on the unit you want to get some idea and let them know you're interested?

[Daytonite]

Don't be intimidated by those with internships. They work two ways. Those nurses are being evaluated as potential employees as well by the facilities in which they are working. There are many stories of interns who do not get hired by the facility in which they do an internship. There is more to an employee than just being a good nurse. They also need to be a good employee. If you know the hospitals in your area that you are interested in, start calling the nurse recruiters or human resource people in them now and ask them when you should apply for a job. Don't sit on this. The time to job hunt is not on the day after graduation. Make sure you have the name and contact address of at least two of your nursing instructors that you have asked and can use for references. Good luck!

I'm giving you links to online sites of regional publications of nursing jobs. These publishers have regional mailers that go out to nurses, probably one in the area where you live, that list tons of hospitals looking for nurses to hire. You should get on their mailing lists. These publications are free and will also list the local job fairs for nurses. Other places you can contact are your state board of nursing to get on mailing lists.

http://www.nursingspectrum.com/ - Nursing Spectrum http://www.workingworld.com/magazine/home_workingnurse.asp?type=12&wn=1 - Working Nurse