Applying to Residencies as well as Jobs?

Nurses Career Support

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Hey everyone!

I'm graduating with my BSN in April 2018 and I am wondering if anyone has any advice on the timeline of applications.

My ideal option is to do a nurse residency program, but with the stiff competition, I'm also going to apply to every single hospital that's a commuting distance from my house. I'm applying to residencies that start Fall 2018. I'm wondering when I should apply to the hospitals? I'm thinking it's not a good idea to wait to apply to hospitals until after hearing back from the residencies?

*What if: I apply to a bunch of hospitals and they either call me in for an interview or offer me a position, but I'm waiting to hear from the residencies?

*What if: I get into a residency program but I've already applied to a bunch of hospitals and they either call me in for an interview or offer me a position?

Thanks so much in advance for your input!!

While it might vary from location to location, in my area most new graduate residencies start in late summer and are accepting applications now. The nurse employment page for the hospitals you are interested in should provide information regarding timeline for submitting applications, interviewing, and start date. If not, someone in either nurse recruiting or human resources should be able to provide you this information.

As far as applications, I agree with your plan to apply to every facility within your accepted commuting distance. If you are called for an interview anywhere, go. If you are offered a position, accept it. If you do accept a position, keep any scheduled interviews that you have already arranged. If another facility calls you for an interview, accept it. Most, if not all, new graduates apply to everything available, and the nurse recruiters know this. If you have accepted a position, and you receive another offer, there is no problem accepting that. If you do so, let the recruiter at the previous facility know that you have accepted another offer.

Best wishes finishing school, and with the Job Search.

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