How far in advance of graduation should I apply for jobs

[krazykev]

Fellow Human:

Can someone please tell me when is the proper time to begin applying for jobs before graduation? I was thinking five months in advance, but that seems to me a little too far in advance.

So can you please offer me some of your carefully crafted wisdom on this subject?

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I graduate in May and started applying the beginning of March. Start early becuase the competition is feirce for new grad jobs.

Sweetooth

[allthingsbright]

I grad in Dec and a friend just told me to start in Sept. Good luck!

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

If you can swing it, try to get a nurse extern job the last year of school. Some facilities will hire you sooner, especially if you have CNA certification. Makes it easier to transition to nurse. Otherwise, I would say start any time within the last semester, realizing that you might not get a firm offer till near the end of the semester, unless you can extern.

[Montessori Mommy]

I'm graduating in May. I worked on my resume over December break, and mailed them to the nurse managers on floor I would work on in January. By the end of February I had an offer from my first choice - a labor & delivery position in a magnet hospital!

Many of my classmates didn't even start their resumes until March. By then, some of them had to settle for jobs they don't really want.

My advice: It's better to start really early and be told to call back in a few weeks or months - especially if you have a "dream job" in mind! Hospital nurse recruiters love to see someone with initiative and enthusiasm!

[Clarise]

I graduate in May, should take the NCLEX in July and started trying to get a foot in the door at a local hospital this past January. Told them I am interested in starting in September. I was told to come back in August with my resume.

[Galore]

I'm wondering the same thing but for accelerated students. It seems like we would only be in nursing school for 6 months and then already looking for jobs.

[moongirl]

i graduate in May. I started applying in January and have been offered a L&D position. Early Moon gets the worm

[KnitterMama]

I graduate in May and I started applying in January. I'm still waiting on my 3rd interview (the interview with the unit where I'll work). It's a long process - I don't think 5 months in advance is too early at all.

A surprising number of my classmates, even ones that already work as CNAs in the hospital where we do clinical, still haven't applied for a job. I have no idea what they are thinking! :lol Sometimes I wonder if they're so freaked out at the autonomy one has after graduation that they are procrastinating (relative autonomy that is :Lol).

[momathoner09, BSN, MSN, APRN]

I graduate in May of 08 and we had a new grad recruiter come speak to our class a few weeks ago. She recommended applying in Nov-Dec of 07. That seemed way early to me but I think there are a lot of May grads (vs Dec grads) from surrounding schools in the area so maybe thats why. I would try to get in contact with any "new grad recruiters" at the hospital you want to apply to. They would be able to tell you for sure when to apply.