When to apply for jobs?

[nels2186]

I graduate in December from the UC FNP program. My question is...when should I start to think about applying? A couple months before graduation or wait until I have passed my boards??

[Dude,RN]

Nels2186,

I am graduating in August from my PMHNP program. I've started now reaching out to recruiters and things like that. I've asked if this is too soon, and been told that it isn't, in fact that I am right on target. I would start looking around and making some connections just as your final semester starts. That will give you some time to test the waters and see what is out there. At least, that is how it is working in my experience.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

You should be "applying" from the day you start your clinical rotations; many great jobs come from your clinical sites and from your network you establish then.

I normally tell my students to start networking for jobs four months out from graduation, start written applications two months out from graduation.

Quality practices will be looking to hire the right candidate even if it means a six month wait by the time they pass boards and get credentialed.