Traveling After Graduation and the First Job Search as an RN

Nurses Job Hunt

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Hi!

I am graduating mid-May of 2015 and I will have my BSN. I am already thinking about my plans for post-graduation. Ideally, I would like to take the NCLEX during the middle of June and then spend the next couple of months traveling abroad.

Do you think that I should be starting the Job Search before I begin my travels? Or should I wait until after returning from traveling to start?

Also, does the fact that I won't be starting until late in the summer make me ineligible for a nurse residency? The nurse residency programs that I am familiar with start early in the summer. Does anyone know of programs that start later?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

You will need to check with the hospitals for specifics about their new grad programs, but those in my area are scheduled to begin in the month after graduation. They begin accepting applications a few months prior to start date.. anyone who is unable to meet the schedule is dropped from the program.

Do a little noodling around here on AN and you will find a ton of threads about new grads who postponed their job hunts - most are very regretful. If you are aiming for acceptance into a new grad training program it is highly unlikely that they will accommodate your schedule.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Definitely search around, and you'll need to do it closer to, as most programs won't have info about next year up until probably after New Year's. I know there's one program I applied to that doesn't start until September (I should hear back this week), and another that probably starts about the same time (no dates posted, but I applied).

I started my Job Search in March, and I am still looking for hospital work. I have agency work lined up right now, and it's something, but I am also working for my mom to fill in the gaps. (not as a nurse).

As new grads, we're truly at the mercy of the hospital that will take us. I am currently applying for jobs 4-5 hours away in rural areas, where I hope to get a position where I can work a few 12 hour shifts back to back, then head home for a few days. Not ideal, especially with a child, but we do what we need to do. If that's what works out (I'm also applying closer to home, obviously), I'll keep applying to stuff closer to home with that hospital experience on my resume. I hate to contribute to the whole, "new grads leave the instant they get something closer to home" thing, but I have to do what's best for me and my family.

You may just have to accept that this is not the time to do this big trip, or be prepared to deal with the consequences if you do.

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