When do I need to start applying?

Nurses Job Hunt

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I will be graduating in December. When do I need to start applying to jobs?? How early can I get hired? I keep getting mixed answers on this and just dont know what to do.... Help!!

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I would apply as soon as possible. I wish I would have done so. Some places will not hire you now and want you to reapply once you're licensed. But you never know so apply/contact HR sooner than later... good luck =)

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Specializes in wound care.

I will graduate in December too LPN to RN track. I'm working now as visiting nurse/ home care, but I'm thinking about hospital experience. Also, I want to continue RN to BSN straight after graduation and NCLEX. I'm not sure if my experience as LPN will be valuable if I apply to hospital? What kind of additional certificates will help?

Thanks to any help.

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma.

i graduate in december and have already started applying. good luck!

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December is right around the corner. Start applying NOW. Some places will even hire you as long as you have a temporary practice permit and plan to take the NCLEX soon. Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Depends on the area you live in. Some do not want to talk to you until you have your license. Others are filling their slots NOW. In my area most of the hospitals have posted their internships and some have already hired and taken them down. I got hired last week. You should be checking the websites of the places you are willing to work every single day. Some places only put the internship openings up for a day or two in an attempt to help minimize the volume of applications. If you have not started already you are behind the curve.

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Specializes in wound care.

Thanks to your advice. I live in NY but have NJ license, so I plan to work in NJ. Do you have any idea what hospitals hired now?

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

You will have to do that research. Call and look at their websites.

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What you should have done (unless you did) was applied to a hospital before you even got into a nursing program to establish yourself and get priority. The odds of getting a job right now for a new grad are slim. The market is way oversaturated.

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Specializes in LTC.

I stated to apply in September. So far I have one good lead. I will start being more aggressive once I get an ATT. I too graduate in December.

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