When to start looking for a job?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in HH, Med/surg- liver & kidney transplant, ortho, ++.

So my husband and I have been having this argument for some time now. I graduate from an ASN program in June (can't wait). I am not quite sure when I should start looking for a job. One of the nursing instructors said to start in December. I thought that was a little early.

Here is my situation. We moved an hour and a half away from where we lived so that I could go to nursing school. We do not plan on staying in this area and will be moving back around the time of graduation.

My question is to anyone who will answer. When did you start looking for job as a new grad? I was thinking like in the spring, but am torn. I feel like I have to give some kind of answer to my husband or we will just continue to have this argument.

I plan on meeting with one of my nursing instructors for advice on job seeking but have been waiting to meet with her because of the holidays. I am sure she has been busy and I have been very busy myself.

Anyways, any input or suggestions about when to buckle down and start applying for jobs would be helpful. I can understand, with the way the economy has been, that looking for a job now would be good. I just don't want to set myself up for disappointment.

Thanks for the input in advance,

Kelly

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Start now. LIke tonight. I graduated in May 2008 and I had my job way before graduation. I started looking on December of 2007 and started sending my resume out in January 2008. The people in my class who waited got jobs they weren't really happy with. In the current job climate it's going to be even harder.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I would say the earlier you start looking the more choices you will have. Then you can pick the job that is best for you and not have to settle for what is available when you graduate.

Remember all the people in your class will also be looking for jobs and they will be your competition. And that yours will not be the only class graduating this spring.

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Specializes in Intensive medical care.

Start researching the hospitals you want to work at now. Most of them let you know the absolute latest they would want a resume for their new grad programs. Most say the latest is 3 months prior to graduation but honestly like the others have said, you should do this now.

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Specializes in ER, OR, PACU, TELE, CATH LAB, OPEN HEART.

Do not know what the economy is like in your are, however, I am a well seasoned nurse and it took me 14 months to find a position.

Start NOW. Especially, if you want to get into a "New Grad Program", Internship, or Residency program. These are great for new grads and are paced to give a good transition from student to practitioner. These positions are highly competitive. The saying "the early bird gets the prize" holds true in this situation.

Research hospitals that interest you and contact nurse recruitment. You may need to drive the distance to interview if you are moving around graduation time. Also, if you are moving after graduation, give yourself time to settle and take NCLEX before you start a new job. Too much stress can be overwhelming.

Good Luck, and get started TONIGHT!!

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I graduate in May, and the new grad residency deadlines for spring grads have come and gone in our area, I called each hospital most of them don't want new grad resumes for may grads until february or march. Best of luck to you. Im hoping to find something too!

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Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Urgent Care.
Start now. LIke tonight. I graduated in May 2008 and I had my job way before graduation. I started looking on December of 2007 and started sending my resume out in January 2008. The people in my class who waited got jobs they weren't really happy with. In the current job climate it's going to be even harder.

Absolutely!! You really should have started researching possibilities back in December...many new grad residency applications open up this month and unless you have your resume in order and all that stuff your going to be left out in the cold, like many people here who waited much too long to start looking!!! I graduated in MAy of 2009 but started looking in December 2008 and actually filled out my first new grad residency application in early (now) January 2009...

Mex

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You should have been looking in December. With the way the enconomy is, maybe sooner.

I graduated in May 2009, started looking and interviewing in February 2009, and didnt land my first RN job until August 2009. It's hard out here!

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Start now. Im in a MSN program and I take NCLEX in February. I have been actively looking for jobs and collecting info for the past couple of months. I dont have a RN job lined up but I did find a per diem CNA job that specifically hires nursing students to train and hire on as RN's once they get license so hopefully in the next 6 months I can get a RN position while I finish my masters.

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lovelee82,

Where are you doing your MSN, I will be starting my MSN at USF this Jan and I am curious I do not know what to expect. Can you please tell me what it is like? Is it hectic? Hard?

Thank you in advance.

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Im at SFSU in their GMSN program. It has been hard so far but I think because we had some breakdown in faculty due to illness and other stuff this semester. From what I hear it gets better after NCLEX, then its mostly writing to complete your masters. I started some of my core master classes this semester and it was tough because I havent really done writing since my BS about 4 years ago. It was hard to retrain your mind to not write like you are in the "real world" of patient care and "scholarly" writing. Its will be hectic (for me) because I will be taking 15 units (which includes 2 days of preceptorship and 4 classes) then im also working as a CNA about 90 hrs a month. I hope to finish by Dec but i can stretch out to graduate in Sp2011 but I dont want to take out another loan ( unless I get a RN job :nurse:)

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HI all! I will also be graduating in May, and have been looking but a lot of the new grad programs say that you must have passed your NCLEX to apply. I have another question for you! There are several positions open that say "willing to train new grads" however, they are posted NOW and it seems sort of nervy to apply and then tell them I will not graduate until May, then still need to take the boards. I think it seems a bit early to apply for these types of jobs, right? I mean they cannot leave it vacant waiting on us for that long! SO really just applying to the new grad & residency programs is all I can do now?

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