Keep Applying, or wait a bit?

[RN9742]

New Grad of course! :) I have been applying for jobs since before I graduated, but in my area it seems most employers wont even look at you until you are licensed. I did apply for many new grad residencies, but my GPA was on the low end of competitive so i am sure that is why I was passed over. I keep getting told to keep applying, while in the next breath I am told once I pass boards it will not be as difficult.

So I pose the question, keep applying for every RN job I can, stick with applying just for dream jobs for now to slow it down, or cool my heals so Human Resources doesn't get sick of seeing my name in their inbox and hitting delete? I've probably put in 50-75 apps so far in hospitals, and a couple nibbles but no bites yet. (Partially i suspect because i don't even have a test date)

Also, how on earth does one keep track of all these apps they put in? I have an irrational fear of being called for an interview and sounding insincere or something when I am clueless to which job it is specifically since I am often applying for several positions in the same hospital.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Usually when they call you, they will let you know which unit they are interviewing for. Also, you will most likely have an interview with HR and then the unit manager and possible some unit staff. Just keep applying. Know what your interests are and apply to those jobs. It's good to apply to all med/surg jobs plus your dream jobs. Applying to every specialty shows you aren't sure which type of nursing interests you or you are truly desperate. Have someone look over your resume and critique it. Did you work as a tech or CNA? Do you have any idea when you plan to take NCLEX? If so, put the expected NCLEX month on your resume. The earlier the better.

[RN9742]

I will take my NCLEX as soon as I can, i don't intend to wait for more study time. I just have no idea how long it will take to get my ATT. I just revamped my resume, and had a couple people looking it over. I am a CNA as well, but never worked as one since I started nursing school, i focused on that.

[WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN]

Make sure you call the HR department at each hospital. They all have different policies. For example, one hospital system will immediately reject your application before you pass the NCLEX, another local hospital system will hire you on BEFORE you graduate! It all depends. Try not to blindly apply to jobs either. I came across one hospital system that would only allow you to apply to five jobs and then would shut you out of their system until decisions were made on each position. Good luck to you and God bless!

[Nonetheless]

I would take a break. I applied to maybe 20 jobs and I graduate in June. I actually got an interview but they turned me down---because I don't have a license. It was exhausting, and I drove 160 miles for it.

so I am now taking a break until after I get my license. I'll continue applying to "dream jobs" but that is like one or two jobs a month.

also, I found out that I was automatically rejected and blocked from applying for a year for two different hospital systems just because I dared to apply before getting my license. I don't want to take a risk and do that again.