How fast did you land a job?

gatorgirl8888 · May 27, 2016

I had a job before graduation contingent on passing the NCLEX. Everyone in my graduating class of 130 was similar. I graduated in May of 2015.

NRB41 · May 27, 2016

Graduated in December of 2014, took the NCLEX and passed in March 2015, then finally got my first interview for a NICU spot in the beginning of April - was hired three weeks later. Started applying at the end of December for jobs so it took a little while (still have all the rejection emails saved haha), but luckily landed in my dream spot. :)

Should also mention a couple of things though: I was NOT working in healthcare at the time (worked in Student Life at the college...still do from time to time actually), but I did have a connection at the spot I did end up getting hired at. Not saying those were reasons I didn't even get an interview at other spots but got one where I ended up, but who knows.

NuGuyNurse2b · May 27, 2016

For those wondering how people can get hired prior to getting licensed, it depends on the hospital...the hospital I did clinical at specifically told us we needed our license before we can apply there. So there was that.

BSN16 · May 27, 2016

I literally just graduated the 14th. I was applying for jobs months before i had even graduated. I applied at 3 places, (2 ICUs, and a step down) I got offers for them all. I think that all my prospective employers liked that i was proactive and all offered to hold my job spot for me to pass boards

BSN16 · May 27, 2016

I think it might help the OP as well as other future new grad RN's to look at the prospects of getting a job if we posted a certain time frame when they graduated/started working. 5+ years ago, I think those peeps got jobs fairly easily as a new grad, but those of us that finished within the past 5 years, not so much. I finished in relation to my previous post, I finished in 2014, and started working in 2015, roughly 7 months after graduating.

I think it really comes down to where you live. I live in Iowa and there is an EXTREME nursing shortage and an abundance of jobs in all departments. All my classmates have been getting their ideal floors such as ER, NICU, ICU, etc. despite being new grads. Where as a friend of mine who went to school with me can't even get a medsurg job on the coast.

caligurl331 · May 27, 2016

I graduated May 1st and had an offer a little over two weeks later.

oldandintheway · May 27, 2016

I think it really comes down to where you live. I live in Iowa and there is an EXTREME nursing shortage and an abundance of jobs in all departments. All my classmates have been getting their ideal floors such as ER, NICU, ICU, etc. despite being new grads. Where as a friend of mine who went to school with me can't even get a medsurg job on the coast.

I'm sure you didn't intend to demean medsurg as a specialty field, it is a demanding and challenging job as any. Many new grads I've known truly benefited from starting in medsurg, as an ED nurse I value my colleagues that understand the continuum of care something that is sometimes lacking in new nurses that jumped straight into "ideal floors". Maturity is an essential part of nursing.

BSN16 · May 28, 2016

I'm sure you didn't intend to demean medsurg as a specialty field, it is a demanding and challenging job as any. Many new grads I've known truly benefited from starting in medsurg, as an ED nurse I value my colleagues that understand the continuum of care something that is sometimes lacking in new nurses that jumped straight into "ideal floors". Maturity is an essential part of nursing.

Generally medsurg is more likely to hire new grads than a specialty area is, this is literally a fact you know to be true. With that being said, I said ideal floors because to a certain individual an IDEAL job is in OB or peds. Same can be said with medsurg, could be someone's ideal floor. Never anywhere did i demean or insult medsurg. Sorry if you felt offended by my comment, but you read too much into it. :yes:

oldandintheway · May 28, 2016

BSN 16, I wasn't offended. I just wanted to acknowledge medsurg as a specialty floor and advocate for a well rounded experience, I don't claim medsurg is a prerequisite to being a good nurse but nursing is so varied sometime a circuitous route is a helpful route to finding one's passion. No fight from me, we are all nurses

joanna73, BSN, RN · May 28, 2016

The job market had tanked 2 years previously. I graduated at 37, took the first offer. I had a job before I graduated.

I relocated from a big city to a small town. I didn't care where I went or what the role was. I wanted experience and money. Was well worth it. My loans were paid in 2.5 years and I remained with that employer for a total of 4 years.

Maevish, ASN, RN · May 28, 2016

I have a question. After graduating, how long until you got your very first nursing job?
I know you have to take the NCLEX and stuff, but from the date of graduation, how long did it take you?

I filled out an application as a joke a couple months before I was set to finish nursing school. I got a call a month before I graduated (I was done with my nursing stuff 6 months prior, but had to stay and do a couple general ed classes) and the manager of that unit said she'd hold the job for me if I wanted it. I got really lucky!! Spent 6 years there before trying travel nursing. Now I can't find a staff job (even PRN, on call, perdiem) to save my life even though I've applied to at least 15 times a day for the past year and a half.

Go figure... :confused:

xo

Trauma_drama14, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · May 28, 2016

When I was finishing up with my preceptorship in 2014, the manager took my resume and told me to call her when I graduate if I was interested. Fortunately, I pretty much had my first job in the bag because of precepting there and befriending the workers. Only about maybe a handful of us had jobs pretty much lined up after graduating and passing NCLEX. I was trying to apply for a different job but i am SO glad that i stuck to where i started off. The day after i passed boards, i was officially offered the job and started the next month. It was awesome!