Apply or NCLEX first???

Nurses Job Hunt

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Hello everyone!

I am graduating with my BSN in a little over three weeks! SO excited but I can't get over this nervous feeling I also have about getting a job... :down: I live in small town in MI and the one large hospital in my town was recently bought out by a large corporation (Duke LifePoint). This has been tough for many people in the community as they are letting go of ALL care aides, most LPNs & most unit clerks. While doing this, they have also put a hiring freeze on nursing positions... I'm currently doing my final transitional internship in the NICU there (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE) & my preceptor hopes for me to get hired but it's looking grim - in all areas of the hospital. I have handed my resume to a few NMs with similar responses from each - "I'm sorry, but I just don't know whats going on right now" etc. So my dreams of having a job lined up after graduation have dwindled significantly. But I'm still looking up! There are a few LTC/Assisted Living Facilities & home health agencies in the area that I plan to apply at because I am willing to work absolutely anywhere (as long as I don't have to relocate - long-time boyfriend has a wonderful job with GREAT benefits and room for tons of expansion here)! I have loved all of my rotations throughout school (which I am thankful for now).

SO my question is - now that getting a job lined up as a graduate nurse right after graduation is almost out of the question - should I just discontinue my job hunt until after I pass the NCLEX or keep trying w/ LTC in hopes that I'll get in somewhere contingent on me passing???

Any advice would be appreciated! Love this forum :yes:

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YES! Try to get a job now! Your first priority is the NCLEX but if you can apply to jobs then apply to them!

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Well I did that and nobody even responded because on the apps you have to say no to the question that asks if you are licensed for the position you are applying for. I would probably say to start making contacts at the area facilities you are interested in so you can at least start making connects. I will say this, the first thing they asked me when I called any facilities was "do you have your ATT # or have you taken the NCLEX yet".......................

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I couldn't even be considered for a position in VA till after I had my license and applying for a job without a license number got your name tossed without much luck of them looking at you after you had a license Good luck trying to line a job up before if you can do it but Nclex is super important You can't start that job you line up until you pass

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Thanks for the replies! That's kind of what I was thinking - that if I don't have a license they won't even take my application seriously so I was leaning more towards waiting until I at least have my ATT or test date. Some places in my area hire Graduate Nurses to work without all the duties of an RN until they pass the NCLEX, so I was hoping for that but now I'm just hoping for a job sometime this summer at least. How is the job hunt going for the rest of you?

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I would definitely start applying now. I started in Feb, and graduate May 10. I have a job lined up for once I am licensed! :)

Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU.

I got hired for my first job two months before I took the NCLEX. If I had waited until I had taken the NCLEX, that job might not have still been available. I don't get the waiting thing. Jobs are scarce, and I didn't want any open positions that I wanted to be filled before I had a chance to apply for them.

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I have similar feelings - plus the idea of being unemployed scares me to death :unsure: - but so many places I'm trying to apply for won't accept your application if you aren't licensed yet. Did you work as a grad nurse before you were licensed or did you start after you passed the NCLEX? Thanks!

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I have similar feelings - plus the idea of being unemployed scares me to death :unsure: - but so many places I'm trying to apply for won't accept your application if you aren't licensed yet. Did you work as a grad nurse before you were licensed or did you start after you passed the NCLEX? Thanks!

i know that feel :(

my my dream jobs have openings and I called them and they said "we will not consider you until you are licensed."

:( :( :(

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Specializes in ER.

Continue to apply as it takes a few months for some hospitals to get back to you.

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