Apply now or wait for RN license?

[rar_bsn_rn]

As a new grad, is it better to apply for positions now or wait until I get my RN license? Am I just wasting my time if I apply for positions now?

[Seasoned]

hi ya sara38,

congrats on your achievement!!

don't despair or waste your education. nursing skills become very dull very quickly when you are new at the nursing game.

consider 2 options others in your shoes have been very successful in landing a job:

-join the military

select the air force branch so you won't have to worry about being sent to a combat zone (unless you want). since you have passed the boards you would start as a commissioned officer(2nd lieutenant) see the world free, get further education free, be trained in the best environment that will guarantee you will always be picked over any other nurse in future job searches after you return home, and find a great spouse to boot!. then there is the patriarch bonus of giving forward and the perpetual vet benefits afterwords!!!!!! (wow:rolleyes: to be young again)

or

-volunteer at the particular hospital

where you would love to work. the employer will learn about your work ethics, reliability and you will have in-house references for the first position that opens for you. there is typically at least one new grad or new nurse that gets fired from each orientation class. or there is a nurse soon to retire that opens a budget affordability to hire you. after you get the volunteer position peruse units and ask about the best unit to work on. then make an appointment with the director (and/or nurse manager which ever is the friendliest) to consider you asap when a position opens; send her flowers on boss day, find out her birthday too and do it...it works!!! meanwhile make money if you need it in any position at any nursing home so your resume reflects dedication to the profession. also consider the va hospital. next year thousands of troops are coming home and the need for nurses will magnify!).

god bless

[AtomicWoman]

It won't hurt you to apply before you are licensed, but don't expect much of a response unless you know someone who can give you an "in". Hospitals were not interested in me, for the most part, until I had my license in hand. And even then, most of them aren't hiring new grads here in NJ.