How long did it take you to land your first job?

[Sessa RN]

Hello fellow nurses! New BSN grad here, who has been applying for hospital, LTC and home health jobs like mad since passing NCLEX in early June.

Some of the hospitals warn online that it can take as long as 90 days to get an offer. Other potential employers have told me they want to get background check results.

So, I am wondering how long it took you to land your first job. How long did you wait before applying elsewhere? Did they let you know they were interested right away?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Do you think this position will help or hurt me in the long run? I am worried if I don't take it - it could be awhile before something else comes along.

If I were you, I would accept the job because you do not know where or when your next offer of employment is coming. Use the job as a stepping stone and a platform to start your career. Beggars cannot be choosers in this economy.

[Ikikaeru]

Like other posts have stated, any experience is good experience. You dont want to get pigeon hold into a feild but your getting nursing experience. Just let them know in your cover letters about what youve learned when you took that position and how much further your willing to develop. Thats my 2 cents anyways.

[katgo]

I just passed the nclex and got my license this July 12. Ive been applying online for job anywhere at HHC, etc. I am currently in the philippines but i will coming back in Nyc on the first week of september. how do u get job offers and ive been applying online how long does it take for HR to respond if you are being considered for a job? I was quite upset also just because I got my BSN in the Philippines which is less attractive to those who got their degrees in US. A lil advice and help please.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I am currently in the philippines but i will coming back in Nyc on the first week of september. how do u get job offers and ive been applying online how long does it take for HR to respond if you are being considered for a job?

If your applications and resume list your address in the Philippines, you probably aren't being considered. They want someone with a local address who can be there for an interview at a moment's notice without the international red tape.

[Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN]

I started working as an RN 30 days after I graduated nursing school, which was two days after I passed the NCLEX. That was on a rehab unit in a LTC facility. Two months later I got a job in a hospital.

[Swellz]

I got an offer a couple weeks after passing my boards from the floor I externed on for a year. The two nurses who just came off orientation on that same floor had been out of school and without a nursing job for 12 months before getting hired. It varies, and it is easier to get a job when you have a job, so I would take the offer. There is always something to learn.

[SpunkRN]

I am surprised that you can get a job in home health with no experience. I was thinking of looking into those positions but I feel a bit unprepared for that. If something goes wrong you are the only one there to fix it, and with no experience....this just makes no sense to me. I think any experience is good though to answer your question.

[Sessa RN]

I am surprised that you can get a job in home health with no experience. I was thinking of looking into those positions but I feel a bit unprepared for that. If something goes wrong you are the only one there to fix it and with no experience....this just makes no sense to me. I think any experience is good though to answer your question.[/quote']

I would be caring for one patient, and I have experience with the types of lines, drains, etc. this person has. If something does go very wrong 9-1-1 is a quick call to make.

[Melissa ICU RN]

Graduated last summer and had a job offer before taking NCLEX.

[Candogal]

I've been applying since I graduated in May. Passed NCLEX in June. BSN and hospital volunteer experience. New Jersey is tough right now I wish that I had worked as a tech instead of focusing on my gpa

[nkdem]

I have been applying since I passed the CPNRE in September 2012. I have not been able to find anything. I've decided I need to bridge and do my RN so I can be a new grad again... It's been a very frustrating year.

[bebejasmine2002]

I'm from Las Vegas. Graduated May 11 and passed NCLEX June 12. Interviewed for New Grad residency on July 17th and got offered position the same day. But..... I have also applied and received rejection letters for about 20 other positions before landing this job. It's a hit or miss out here and a game of luck!