Graduating soon..ADVICE NEEDED!!

[lizemay8]

Hello!

I live in New Jersey and I am 10 days away from graduating from my ABSN program. While I am very happy it is almost over... I am starting to freak out! I need to make money now seeing as I was unable to work for most of this program. I cant take the NCLEX until February so I know I'm looking at the very least 3 months before I could get employed as an RN... So my question is until then what should I do?!? Should I apply for CNA jobs now or will they not hire me because I will have a BSN and they know I will be applying for RN jobs soon?? Or should i just apply at any old job and focus on passing the NCLEX?

I did well in school graduating top of my class with a 4.0 but I have no work experience in the hospital setting or as a CNA. My first degree was in psychology and my work history includes waitressing, bartending, nanny jobs, and one dental assistant job back in 2007. I would like to get a job in the field with hopes of it helping me get a job after I pass the NCLEX but don't want to apply for CNA jobs now and then in 3 months apply at the same hospitals for an RN position.

Another question....Should I apply to RN positions now before I take my boards or wait until after? I keep getting mixed advice on this subject!!! Would love some feedback!!

Thank you in advance!!

[smilesweet]

First off, Congratulations! Graduation should be an exciting time (or at least more exciting than stressful).

I graduated with my BSN last year (May 2014). Your work history will DEFINITELY help you get a hospital RN position - look at all that customer service experience you have! Hospitals love that - just make sure you play that up in an interview. You can also definitely use the dental assistant position as sort of "medical experience" but I had a friend who worked as a waitress at the same restaurant from age 16 through when we graduated and she had no issues getting a job - Nursing is in a large part customer service, and you seem to have a lot of experience with that :)

As for applying to jobs now, you could apply to CNA jobs, though maybe not full time. If a unit hires you as a CNA, you may be able to get a job on that same unit a bit easier than an outside applicant. However, you're right, some places may not hire you in that position knowing you'll be getting your nursing license soon - but it can't hurt to apply. Studying for NCLEX isn't a full time job - I took the Kaplan course over a few weeks span and studied a few hours 5-6 days a week. You could easily manage a part time or possibly even full time job while studying for NCLEX.

As for applying to RN jobs, APPLY NOW!!! :) I applied to my job in November when I didn't even graduate until the following May! New grad programs are out there and applications are due early! I feel a New Grad program is the best way to go straight out of school - it's a great transition from student nurse to practicing clinical nurse. There's great support systems/mentors and usually a few classes/projects along with it to keep up with evidence based practice/continuing education. So I'd literally just google "new grad nurse programs by state" or something to find a program near you. Now...if you're not applying to a specific new graduate program, you shouldn't apply to a regular RN position without your nursing license number. I've heard this can "blacklist" you from the hospital's HR system sometimes, so be cautious.

Hope this answered some of your questions!

[MilliePieRN]

I got hired for my rn position ("nurse tech" was on my badge) 2 months before taking my nclex. Rn pay and all.

[lizemay8]

Thank you for your help!!

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

You need to look at your local hospitals and reach out to HR departments. Many hospitals have temporary jobs until a nurse can transition.

I graduate in May and getting a job now is something I've been working towards so when I graduate I already have done experience. I may have one lined up.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

In many states (like mine) new graduates can function as an RN prior to taking NCLEX the first time. Check with your BON rules to see if this is possible. Even if this is the case, some employers may have a policy that prevents them from hiring you before you're licensed but it's worth a shot.