Getting a position as a new grad

Hey there!

Yes, you can get an ED position without ED hours, though a preceptorship in the ED tends to be a helpful shoe in just because they know a little about you. I precepted in an ER, though, and did not get a position there. They liked me just fine, but had no available positions.

I am no help on the "Where to practice" issue- I'm in Alabama and had no intentions of relocating after, so I'm still in Alabama. =)

As for how soon? I precepted a guy just recently who already had a job by the time he got to me, so sending out applications and resumes during the final semester of your school is not a bad idea. You CAN be hired on contingency of having passed the NCLEX within a certain timeframe, and if for some reason you do not pass, depending on your unit's needs, you may just need to take a tech/PCA position until you've passed. I elected not to go that route because I had terrible self esteem and was unsure of if I would pass, so waited until I knew for sure. Obviously, I did pass. =)

Don't stay whetted to the idea of "only an ED" though, because you may not get your first choice of job. I swore I'd never work med surg, and then my first offer was just that. I got a LOT of experience and strengthened my knowledge base that way though.

Good luck!

I started interviewing for positions before I graduated, and had a job offer without knowing my NCLEX test date.

One key to setting yourself apart includes getting a professionally done resume. I'm not taking that MS Word template one, I mean a professional one. As a new grad, I would try to keep it to a page, and it should be able to stand alone. Imagine if you were stuck in an elevator with HR, and only had the one sheet of paper, what you would want it to say about you. That is the resume you want. There are plenty of threads on here that can help you make a resume that works for you.

Having a full professional employment portfolio can also have you stand out. There are several guides to how to do so online. I know that having one, with everything they may need from CE certifications (required for NAs in my state) to BLS with color copies in a well-organized fashion made me stand out at interviews. It shows that you're willing to make the extra effort, and makes you look on the ball. Best of all, if you happen to stumble a bit, you can use it to help get you back on track.

Finally, prep for your interview. Don't go in cold. There are several threads here with ideas on what questions you'll get, and videos on YouTube. Practice your answers so you're not thinking stuff up on the fly. Know the company you are applying to. If you're applying to an ER that provides top notch trauma, you need to be able to say why that appeals to you, and if it's a small local community ER, the same answer won't be as good for them.