Applying for novice rn before state boards?

[Studentnurse365]

Hi everyone,

I will be graduating in December and plan on taking my NCLEX in January. My instructor told my class that novice positions are being posted and now is the time to start applying for jobs. I took her advice and applied for one position as a sort of a trial. The application asked many questions that I feel would get my application thrown out, such as not putting down a license or a nursing degree. My question is, how is a almost new grad supposed to apply to these novice RN positions and actually have their application looked at without the computer just tossing it out because it doesnt meet the standards?

If I do need to wait until after I pass the boards, will all the novice RN positions be gone by january?

Thank you.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Excluding New Grad Residency positions, I think that line of thought of "Apply before you graduate" is no longer valid. There are many new grads with their licenses and experienced nurses for the HR people to pick from instead of choosing a person who has a lot of unknowns (will they graduate? and will they pass NCLEX?). I applied to several positions prior to graduation and they all were rejected on the basis of not meeting criteria (license and graduate of a nursing program). You just need to wait until you pass NCLEX before applying.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Yes, your instructor should stop that! I'm guessing he/she hasn't applied for a bedside position in many, many years.

[Studentnurse365]

Thank you for responding.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Right now, it's an employer's market, and they can weed out anyone who might be an unknown- gone are the days where GNs could get a job before graduation and without a license. About the only exception I've seen is someone who is in school and already working on a unit where they want to apply for a nursing position. There, they have the benefit of internal postings and a history with the facility. No worries about hiring someone for a nursing position who might not pass the final semester or might fail boards, rendering their hiring ineffective (once one fails boards, they may no longer work as a GN, and the most they can do is CNA/PCT).