when and where applying to new grad position

Hi there,

I graduated with my BSN in May 2018 from Case Western in Ohio, and moved to Massachusetts (I grew up in Boston) and received my MA RN license in July. I started applying in January 2018, before graduating, and I recommend against that UNLESS it is a new grad specific program (such as the Boston Medical Center critical care new grad residency).

I have applied to over 100 positions across Boston, including the community hospitals. My dream is pediatrics, but I've applied to everything and anything (while writing very specific cover letters). So far, I've only had one interview. Boston is incredibly saturated by new grad nurses. However, I do know that jobs are always opening up, so for now I am just continuing to apply. I am currently volunteering at the Dimock Center through their Pediatric Patient Advocacy Program. Be aware that when you come to Massachusetts, you're going to be disappointed by the lack of prospects unless you are an internal candidate or have really great connections.

I will continue updating a different post I have about Massachusetts new grad nursing-- hopefully it won't be much longer until I get some more interviews!Don't let this discourage you though! In general, it takes T I M E to get into a hiring cycle. If not the first time or second time, the third or fourth cycles may be looking for bright candidates like you!

You should start applying in January, in my opinion. I graduated a long time ago (2007) and applied for the job I eventually was offered (the only job I applied to) in January of my final semester of college. I interviewed and was offered the job in March, graduated in May and chose to start working in September. I also did 2 clinicals on this floor, however, and I will agree with the previous poster that it is very difficult to obtain a new grad job in Boston without connections. Literally every new grad that I saw during my time at the hospital got in through a connection- many had been co-op students from Northeastern, others of us had done clinicals on the floor, others were friends with a senior nurse's daughter and got an interview that way.

As far as NCLEX goes- NCLEX is a national exam. You should apply for licensure by examination in Massachusetts when you graduate. You can physically take NCLEX wherever you please- NY, MA, CT, VT, literally anywhere in the country. And, just a point of clarification, you don't "transfer" a nursing license from one state to another. You endorse it.