When can you start applying?

Nurses Job Hunt

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So I just graduated nursing school. I'm hoping to sit for the NCLEX in January. Just depends on when they let me sit for it. Anyway, when can I actually start applying? I've heard of a few new grads applying once they finished the final but to me it seems weird to apply without a license number.

Thoughts?

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Most states let you work, at least one year as a again, prior to actual passing boards, nclex

as long as you have proof of graduating from nursing school

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Of course it was 1972' but after graduating from my hospital diploma RN program, at 11am, I went to work 3-11p shift in CCU, of same hospital... But I had recently completed 6wks charge unit clinical studies in the same CCU.......two weeks later after marriage and move to Memphis,Tn....I was hired as staff in a univ TN. teaching hospital CCU....one month before I took my then two day boards with a #2 pencil....those were the days....

My my advice apply NOW, especially in areas you did clinical studies.....but back in my day, there were nurse shortage, there has not been nursing shortage in decades...you have nothing to lose...

best wishes, and keep us posted

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If you have a connection somewhere, like where you did your senior specialty- I would reach out to the manager. Let them know you graduated and when you'll take the nclex. That's how I got my first job.

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Specializes in LTC, Rural, OB.

Our nursing program encouraged us to start applying for jobs as early as Feb/Mar before our June graduation. Theory being if we did get hired before graduating and passing nclex, our employment was conditional on those two things and in the area I graduated there were a lot of new grad residencies. I started working before I took the NCLEX.

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I am starting an internship in a couple of weeks and three of the people hired are just now graduating. One of them took the NCLEX today.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

I started applying applying very early and landed a position 2 months before graduation. Most people that are going to work right away did the same..

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Specializes in Med Surg/PCU.

I think it depends on your area. When I graduated August 2014, I was a tech on the unit I currently work on and they wouldn't interview me until after graduation. No one else here would look at my resume until I passed boards.

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Specializes in Pedi.

I had my job offer 2 months before I graduated from nursing school. It's the only way to get a new grad job in this area. Almost everyone I graduated with had jobs lined up BEFORE graduation. If we'd waited, the new grad programs would have been full by the time we started applying. And my state doesn't have Graduate Nurse designation. You cannot work until you have a license. My offer was contingent upon my passing NCLEX and having a license by my start date.

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

In FL you can work as a GN for 6 months, I believe...

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

At hospital systems in the very large metro area where I live, new grads are expected to apply to hospital jobs two to three months before graduation.

One time a recruiter rolled her eyes while interviewing me because I had waited until I had passed NCLEX and was fully licensed before applying. I did not get that job.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Hi

I live in Oklahoma and I graduated in May 2015. I started applying for jobs late January of that semester, and got hired in early February pending my passing of the NCLEX.

Email the nursing recruiters or HR representatives of your local hospitals where you intend to apply, and ask them when you can apply.

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