When should I start to look for work?

Most if not all employers will prefer to see a pass on the NCLEX

Please bear in mind that the US job market for nurses right now is terrible. We are going through a depression and many retired nurses are entering the work force again because of spouse's unemployment. Many that are employed are being called off because of low census and a good number of hospitals have hiring freezes. Don't be surprised if you have a tough time finding a job. Just wanted to give you a friendly warning of the job market conditions here right now.

what loricatus and silverdragon said were true but hey there is no harm in doing that. I would suggest to have some alternatives at the same time if your original plan didn't work.

God bless us

Only certain cities, not all cities are hurting. Places like Dallas Texas seem to be escaping the recession.

http://allnurses.com/texas-nurses/en...ow-355941.html

http://allnurses.com/texas-nurses/nu...id-362430.html

I'm in that area and have been called off frequently (approx. 12 hours per week). Been looking for another job and have been told that there are hiring freezes in place. Also, am registered for agency work and was told by the agencies that prn work will be few and far between (haven't been called for over a month).

Yes, there are some positions available; but, the conditions are not worth the reduced pay and hostile working conditions.

So as a working nurse you are finding the Dallas work scene challenging. It is tough when you get called off. And you are a seasoned nurse.

Would you advise new immigrant nurses to come to Dallas? What are the chances for a new grad to find a position, would they be able to get a higher starting salary based on their stellar student record?

Right now, until the economy changes, I would not advise relocating here.

Dallas has a LOT of nursing programs, so the new grad pay tends to be low (compared to Northern USA states) and non-negotiable. You would have to look for work in areas that do not have as many nursing programs, since a supply versus demand would favor you.

When I graduated summa cum laude, with a BSN, and a member of the nursing honor society, I did not make a penny more than an ADN with a poor GPA. The job market was better then, so I suspect that in the current job market, an applicant with a good GPA would be chosen over the one with a poor GPA.

You have to understand that many citizens are being laid off, with record unemployment rates throughout the country. Many of these people will try to find more secure employment in the healthcare industry; so, will probably return to school for new degrees in healthcare related fields. This will create a glut of inexperienced nurses you would have to compete with.

In today's paper, there were employment ads offering refresher courses to nurses out of the field, who want to return. Hospitals prefer an experienced nurse who just needs a refresher and would be willing to work for new grad pay, since they would be productive so much sooner than a new grad. New grads require a lot of training, which costs the hospital a great deal of money, with a long wait for a return in their investment for a new nurse. Hospitals base decisions on economic principles; and, the hospital will now choose the least costly.

Unless you are wealthy and can afford to be unemployed an indefinite period of time, I would suggest to wait things out or research for areas of the country that do not have nursing education programs.

I have been told that Presbyterian hospital is offering up to $15,000 signing bonuses for new grad for a 2 year contract.

Have you personally been told by the hospital?

Nursing sign on bonuses are a thing of the past. It use to be Medicare would allow this as business expense - that is no longer allowed. The bonuses I see posted are really over $1K. Presbyterian Hospital does not list any bonus now for any position, it is the custom that is listed with the job position. This hospital is also a Magnet Hospital to maintain this status they are limited to how many foreign graduates in nursing positions they can employ. Also it lists you must be a graduate of an accredited nursing program.

I have read new grads have had to sign a contract to paid $15K if they don't complete the program . This makes sense since it is very expensive to train a new nurse .