Applying for a job while still in nursing school?

[ilovemicrobiology]

I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel-7 months until graduation!Was wondering if you are able to start applying for jobs before you graduate and take the NCLEX, or do I have to wait until I am completely done. Any insight appreciated!

[PRNketamine7, BSN, RN]

It can depend on the hospital but most I applied to took the application before I graduated. I would say apply as early as you can. I applied for one job in December/ January. (I graduated in may).

[GeneralJinjur]

The hospitals in my area won't even talk to you until your license has been posted on the BON website. Maybe ask around where you are doing your clinicals to see what the protocol is.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

In my area, if you DON'T apply long before you graduate, you don't stand a chance at getting a new grad position because they're all filled by about April. When I was in school, I began applying for jobs in January and had accepted a job offer by late March. Any offer like this is contingent upon passing the NCLEX and a successful background check but, yes, applying early is often best.

[pinkfish333]

it never hurts to send a resume

[scifihippie]

Depends on the facility. Some in my city required a license to apply as a new grad. I applied 5 months before graduation to most places and landed a job 3 months before graduation.

[umcRN, BSN, RN]

YES! Apply! It doesn't hurt to put in an application. I applied for my job in December, interviewed & was hired in January, graduated in May, took the NCLEX in June & started working in August.

My classmates thought I was nuts, but who had the job come graduation? Many of them searched & applied for months only to find that most places had already finished hiring their new grads.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I had my job confirmed in March and graduated in May. Most of my classmates had jobs lined up before graduate. This was back in 2008, so things may have changed.