Can I take a break between nursing school/NCLEX and applying for first RN job?

elkpark · Nov 10, 2009

Well, you "can" take a break, of course, but it will make you a less attractive/competitive candidate for the available positions. The nursing community takes the "use it or lose it" principle v. seriously. You will be surprised how much you forget, or become "rusty" at, over just six months. With so many new grads having such a hard time finding employment at this point anyway, even under ideal circumstances, I, personally, would be v. reluctant to do anything that might impair my job-hunting. Especially if you're sure you only want a particular specialty -- that will make things harder for you, also.

BKCinNOLA · Nov 10, 2009

If the job market in 2010 is anything like it is now, you may not have a choice in taking a 6-month break. I graduated in May 2009, passed the NCLEX in June 2009, and am still looking for an RN position (I started applying in February 2009). I had every intention of starting my nursing career right away after passing the boards, but obviously the job market has KIND OF inhibited that little plan.

Whatever you decide, definitely take the NCLEX as soon as you can/feel ready.

Good luck with you last months of nursing school!

PeaceLove88 · Nov 10, 2009

I agree with elk and bk, as I was a new grad looking for an RN position for the end of the summer into the early fall. The job market is ridiculously competitive and I had no choice but to have a longer break than expected because it was so difficult to find a position. I suggest taking a few weeks off after taking the NLCEX while you wait for your license to process. Once you get your license, take some time to review your resume and cover letters so you have them ready when you want to start applying. Then what I did was apply to a few jobs here and there every day. You wont necessarily get a call back right away but its good to have your application in the system.

Also, if you want to work in L&D, many hospitals will not take in new grads because of experience. It came to a point when I had to apply to positions that did not interest me too much because it was the only one available.

Just take all these considerations into account. You never know though, hopefully the job market is alot better for you next year than it is now. Good luck!

Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2009

Also, there are fewer new grad programs that start in January/February as opposed to June/July, and those that do are often scaled-back in terms of the number of positions available, especially in specialty areas. My NICU, for instance, usually doesn't have a winter program; my cohort was only hired because we're planning on opening a stepdown unit.

CoffeeGeekRN · Nov 11, 2009

My recommendation would be start applying to jobs now! Don't take a break. If the economic conditions continue as they are now then it will be difficult to find a job.

caliotter3 · Nov 11, 2009

You can take a break, but if it is too long that will most likely work against you in the job market. Since it is unlikely you will be hired immediately after beginning your search, you might want to start job hunting and consider the time lag between start of search and actual hire as your "break". Good luck.

prinsessa · Nov 13, 2009

I have taken an unexpected break between NCLEX and working. I thought I would be working by July for sure. Yeah right! It is now November and I am still looking. I would start looking right away. It seems like it is really hard to get hired into L&D as a new grad. I know one girl and she worked as an extern on that unit. I would start applying now....you can always turn down job offers. And don't expect to work in the area you want to work in. I know quite a few nurses who had to start in Psych because they couldn't find anything else. Good luck with your decision!

Jules A, MSN · Nov 13, 2009

I know quite a few nurses who had to start in Psych because they couldn't find anything else.

I'm sure you didn't mean this in nasty way but it doesn't sound so great to those of us who are psych nurses by first choice and love it.

OP, I'd also suggest not taking time off if you will really need a full time career in the near future. For some reason it comes off as someone who isn't serious about nursing or doesn't actually need to work financially and imo both are a stigma. Maybe its because the rest of us are just bitter that we didn't have the ability or inclinatin to take a hiatus, I don't know but this is what I have seen. :) Best of luck with whatever you decide.

mzjennx, BSN, RN · Nov 16, 2009

take a break, but good luck finding your dream job.

i grad in dec 2008 passed my nclex in march 2009. i applied everywhere for a RN position after i found out i passed my NCLEX. I wish I applied sooner for positions. i wanted a job in labor and delivery. the hospital i use to work at as aide and intern said a new grad program was to start in june but it was only going to be offered to in-house employee. since i was no longer part of the payroll i had to reapply again as a aide or ward clerk. i couldnt get a job at the same hospital, so i got the job at the sister hospital in May 2009. I found later that the new grad position was only going to be offered to employees that currently work for the unit/hospital. i was so disappointed to waste time. i later found out that they push the new grad program to September.

i finally heard from one of the many jobs i applied for as a RN. i started work as a med-surg RN in June 2009. im grateful i have some type of RN job. may not be my dream job but at least i can get my learning skills down before i transfer for labor and delivery.

my advise is while your in nursing school get your foot in the door as a aide or ward clerk in a hospital. then apply internally for new grad positions as soon as you take your nclex. you can take a break if you want but keep in mind that its competitive to find a job right now that taking a break may be longer than you expected.

rn865 · Dec 8, 2009

I graduated in March 2006 in a different country. Then the rest of the year we had to participate in a in-school review for our nursing boards which was scheduled for December 2006. After that, I thought to myself that I wanted to take one year off (2007) before looking for a job. And so I did, BIG MISTAKE! Because early 2008 I had to move to the US, process my immigration (so I legally can't work yet) and I only got my US-RN license this year. Now I really hate myself that I didn't at least work in 2007 because if I had, I would at least have experience and hospitals I am applying to now would at least have something to look at in my resume.

Now I can't turn back time so my advice to you is think very carefully about the decision you are going to make. You can just keep applying now and since the economy is down, you might not be offered anything yet so at least during this time, you could be taking your break while applying.