Graduating in a Month - Will it be difficult to get hired if I wait 4 months?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I will be graduating with my Associates in Nursing in one month. I currently work full-time in a non-nursing related job. In October, I will have reached my 5 year mark at my current job and therefore will be 'vested' and my retirement I earned will be mine.

I don't think it's smart to leave my current job so close to that 5 year mark. As a result, I am worried about waiting until October to start my RN career. Will it be difficult to get hired after taking a few month hiatus from nursing?

Since I work full-time, I cannot handle working 40 hours plus 3-12hr shifts as a new grad nurse.

Any advice would be great!

---

Dear Almost Vested,

Congratulations on earning your ADN! I know how much work that takes.

That's a tough decision you have. It sounds like your options are to graduate in May as an RN, keep current job until October to secure vested retirement; or lose vested retirement and (search for) work as an RN. But perhaps there are more options.

Let's say you graduate in May, and pass your NCLEX. How about if you start applying for RN jobs at that time? Applying and interviewing do not convey job acceptance. Keep working at your current job, and see what happens. Do not limit your options by delaying applications. The new grad clock is ticking.

Now let's say you have interviewed. You are offered a position as an RN, and must start a new grad residency program in August. Or September. Only now do you have to make a decision.

At that point, you must either turn down a new grad residency opportunity (hard to come by) for your 5 year vested retirement, or start your new career as an RN. Your decision.

Whatever you decide to do, don't delay applying for a job as an RN. Many, many opportunities for new grads are contingent upon six months (or 12 months) since licensure”. It's not worth the risk of waiting.

I would advise you to think long term, and not short term. In the end, your nursing career is going to sustain you financially and otherwise.

Best,

Nurse Beth

[CoolAvocado]

Check with HR/Plan Administrator.

If you are that close, you are probably currently 80% vested if you leave before your 5 year anniversary so you'd only lose 20% and not the full 100%.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

If you are graduating in June you still won't be able to sit the NCLEX until after your ATT goes through. Then you will need to schedule your test and pass before you are licensed. Best case scenario is probably at least the middle of July before this process is complete, but more likely the end of July or even into the beginning of August. That reduces the time between when you can even start looking for a job as a licensed nurse and the October date you are looking toward considerably. So unless your job market for new grads is particularly difficult I don't think waiting until you are fully vested at your current job will hurt you much if at all.

[feelix, RN]

Most residencies start either in Summer or in Spring. So it looks safe. Like the other poster said, sit for NCLEX late, get qualified and start applying for a January residency.

[Chaya, ASN, RN]

Also look into whether you need to continue to work full time at your non-nursing job to become vested. You may need a minimum number of hours in each year you work in addition to remaining there for a specific length of time so if you have already accumulated the hours for this last year they may let you work a reduced number of hours thru the 5 year mark. Ideally when you start a nursing position you will be able to concentrate exclusively on that, but walking away from being vested in a retirement plan a few months short of the time requirement should not be taken lightly with the financial shortfalls many retirees experience based on fluctuations in the economy. If the position you are applying for doesn't have a hard-wired starting date (like an internship program) and it's getting to be within 6-8 weeks of your vesting date, you could legitimately state that you are looking to start in October. Lastly, if your current position will let you work reduced hours and schedule them around your nursing position, it may may be possible to have both overlap for a short without overwhelming you.

[she244]

The advantage of waiting to be fully invested is when you leave as you said the money is yours and can be used to continue school and get a BSN degree which a lot of Hospitals and Clinic now are requiring. I have to agree with Chaya. This may not even be something to worry about as you will need to take the NCLEX and pass before you can start applying for Nursing Jobs. One option is to stay where you are, become fully invested as you take the NCLEX and pass. Apply for Nursing positions and consider part time, weekend positions in Long Term Care Facilities and Clinics. Good Luck as you proceed with your Nursing Career!