When should senior nursing students/new grads apply for jobs/take the NCLEX?

Nursing Students General Students Nursing Q/A

I am new to this website and am seeking any advice about when it is appropriate to start applying for nursing positions. I am a senior nursing student in the last semester of nursing school. I am on track to graduate in May of 2014 and am really unsure about when nursing students should apply for jobs. Is it appropriate to apply for new graduate positions prior to graduating, or are you supposed to wait until after graduation?

Also, when do you sign up to take the NCLEX? Do you sign up prior to graduation, or are you only eligible to sign up upon receiving your BSN? How soon after graduation do most people take their NCLEX? These are all questions I plan on asking my instructors very soon, but I figured I would also seek out the knowledge of others who have experience with this.

Try contacting the hospital HR departments; I know one hospital near me hires in cycles, as in they hire new grads in March, then again in the Summer, and then again towards the end of the year. Timing is always important too!

Specializes in Case Management, ICU, Telemetry.

When you get your license, there are A LOT of new grads out there; you most likely won't even be looked at until you have RN after your name.

Thanks a lot! It made the most sense to me to start applying this semester because I figured waiting too long could potentially mean all new grad slots would get filled up. If you don't mind my asking, what did your resume consist of? I know I need to start putting one together, but I am not really sure what is valuable information and what is not. Thanks!

How long after MN BSN received your transcripts did you receive your att? They will have my transcripts Tuesday of this week. Has anyone taken their test yet this May, or will it be in June? I'm trying to get an idea of what dates are available, and of course, Pearson won't say a single thing about it.

Since it is past May, I am sure all of your questions have answered themselves, but I started applying before I even graduated (about a month before) and got the position before I graduated. I didn't start working until I officially had my RN. But it was nice having my position waiting for me as soon as the NCLEX was over. Every hospital is different, some may offer you a position before graduation, and some may not even think twice about your application until it's all done and official. Good luck! I am sure you'll do great.

sunsetlove28 said:
How long after MN BSN received your transcripts did you receive your att? They will have my transcripts Tuesday of this week. Has anyone taken their test yet this May, or will it be in June? I'm trying to get an idea of what dates are available, and of course, Parson won't say a single thing about it.

Oops, I mean MN BON.

Depends on your location. I applied a few weeks after graduation, thinking it would take a while because some people still had not heard back that applied before graduation. I had an interview and job offer for the ICU within four days of applying. Just make sure you are a strong applicant, and for all that is good, please dress nicely for an interview. Another student showed up for an interview for a different department with yoga pants on. :no:

I'm so glad this is current; my other question is, do you put your non-nursing history on your application? How do you approach applying for a job as a new graduate as far as information is included in applications?

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