After NCLEX and Job hunting

[SoonToBeRN17]

I have a question that I am curious on...

so I have heard and know that it is common sense to apply for jobs even before completing the NCLEX exam.

Procrastinating on applying for jobs can result in questions like "So what have you been doing for the past year?" Because it's not marketable to do nothing while waiting to get an interview...

but my ultimate goal is to be a International Nurse in Spanish speaking countries , and in order to do this, I need to learn Spanish fluently. So I guess my question is this: If I were to complete the NCLEX after graduating this spring 2017, and then left for 6 months to 1 year to learn Spanish fluently before applying for RN positions, Would this be something that would hurt me or be marketable? I would be marketable in the sense that I would know a second language, but would that time away, learning Spanish in another country hurt my application as I would be applying to jobs 6 months to 1 year After NCLEX???

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I think it's great that you have such interesting career aspirations. In my part of the country, most employers have stopped hiring any new grads before they pass NCLEX - because it creates a huge mess if they don't. So you may want to investigate - see if the situation is similar in your area. Delaying your job search after graduation is probably a mistake. In fact, I know of some large health care systems that simply won't hire any new grads if it has been >6 months since graduation.

Becoming fluent in another language is not an easy task. Becoming fluent in health care language terms is another whole kettle of fish. Just because someone is a native speaker does not qualify them as a medical interpreter. Also, there are significant regional & national dialect variations in Spanish; it's not one size fits all. My point is that you may need to give yourself some additional time to accomplish this goal. Unless you have a natural gift for languages, it is likely to take a bit longer. A suggestion... look for a job in an area that serves a large population of Spanish speaking patients. Then, while you're learning you can also provide yourself with ample opportunities to practice so it will facilitate your progress.

[AliNajaCat]

Agree with the above. Two words: night school.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Yes, the gap in time since graduation without work experience could hurt your chances at getting a job. It could also hurt your ability to practice, as you would be taking a year long break from nursing practice and knowledge. Without experience to ingrain that knowledge, you're likely to forget quite a bit in that year, and struggle with your first nursing job far more than the average new grad.

I echo the advice of previous posters. There are many options for learning Spanish- even advanced Spanish or medical Spanish, that don't require living in another country. Identify some programs/classes near you and seek out nursing positions that offer a schedule allowing you to work and learn Spanish. If you work at a hospital that serves a large Spanish-speaking community, that's great, but I would advise you against "practicing" Spanish with your patients. Many hospitals have a policy that only an approved medical interpreter may translate for patients.