Did you get a postition before getting a license?

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jul 6, 2006

I did. In some states you can work as a graduate nurse (GN) between graduation and NCLEX time. Check out the GN Forum here for some good information.

flowerchick · Jul 6, 2006

I did. I start Monday and don't take the NCLEX until 7/31. In Illinois, once you get you ATT, you are able to work as an RN-License Pending which means you do EVERYTHING supervised by an RN, which you would anyways during orientation/preceptorship. If, God forbid, you should fail boards, my hospital then changes your position to Tech, but you receive the highest payscale of a tech until you re-take and pass. So, for me, that would mean about a 6.00/hr cut in pay.

ashla1121 · Jul 6, 2006

I did also. I've been working as a Graduate Nurse since mid June. New Hampshire allows you to have a temporary GN license until you either pass or fail your boards. The hospital I work at will give you a tech position if you fail your boards. I'm not sure what the pay cut would be... but I won't worry about that because I (hopefully) passed this morning.

Boston-RN, RN · Jul 6, 2006

I have a job lined up for when I take the test. I've had the job lined up for about a month prior to graduation. I have the option of starting as a tech and change to LPN when I get licensed or just start after I get licensed. In Mass. they did away with the "graduate nurse" position. No practicing as a nurse until you are licensed.....

crb613, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2006

I am working as a RNA (RN applicant). I have a provisional license good for 6 months or until I take the NCLEX which ever comes first. In Kentucky we are required to do an additional 120hrs hands on pt care....after graduation before we can take the NCLEX. I practice under the direct supervision of a RN, & do everything a real nurse does. I am paid RN wages....If I do not pass the NCLEX I go to CNA status & pay until I do pass. I have been working in med surg for almost 6 wks, & am almost ready to take the NCLEX!!! With the Lord's help..... I can put RN after my name!

LouisianaNurse2006 · Jul 7, 2006

Sure, RNA right after my name, and with RN pay! If a don't pass I get bumped down to Intern status and pay. (almost same as CNA). All you have to do is put in your application just as you would any other time and let them know when you take your NCLEX. They hired me as an intern months before graduation, then when I got my temporary license after graduation they changed it to RNA (Registered Nurse Applicant) and hopefully after next week it will be RN!!!! Can't wait to get this test over and done with!

RNSuzq1, RN · Jul 7, 2006

Hi Bala,

I interviewed for a position a month before I graduated. This hospital will pre-hire you, but you can't work until you have your license, once you get that, they finalize the paperwork and schedule you for orientation, etc.

I'm in NC and not sure how other States do it, but most hospitals here were advertising NewGrad RN positions back in Feb/March. Each hospital has a limited # of NewGrad positions because for each person they hire, they have to have an experienced Nurse as a Preceptor.

all4schwa · Jul 7, 2006

I interviewed for a position a month before I graduated. This hospital will pre-hire you, but you can't work until you have your license, once you get that, they finalize the paperwork and schedule you for orientation, etc.

same here, unfortunetly we don't work without acutual licensure here, but i was hired on at one of the big time hospitals that does a new grad internship. they hire them all on early and start them at the same time. i wish i could get my hands on some of that RN pay and leave this smelly old nursing home in the dust!

truern · Jul 7, 2006

I interviewed for a position a month before I graduated. This hospital will pre-hire you, but you can't work until you have your license, once you get that, they finalize the paperwork and schedule you for orientation, etc.
I'm in NC and not sure how other States do it, but most hospitals here were advertising NewGrad RN positions back in Feb/March. Each hospital has a limited # of NewGrad positions because for each person they hire, they have to have an experienced Nurse as a Preceptor.

Ditto that. I've had my position lined up since before graduation...just waiting now for the next orientation period next week :)

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2006

I didn't. I knew that I could work as a graduate nurse, but I didn't feel comfortable starting without my license. I was also paranoid that I'd start orientation, take my boards, FAIL, and then everyone would know and I'd lose my nursing position. I decided to continue working as a CNA during the summer until I took my boards, and then when I had my license, I started as an RN at a different hospital. I had my N-CLEX date scheduled for late June. I did go on job interviews in May and June but told them I couldn't start until mid-July, when I knew I'd have my board results. That way, in the off chance I didn't pass, I would not yet have started any orientation programs yet.

I'm a paranoid person, though.

Dbaby720 · Jul 7, 2006

In Ohio, you have to have your license before you can work as an RN, but they will hire you and give you until orientation to have your license. I was accepted into a critical care fellowship, but also had a job lined up with the corrections dept.