How important is it to start work right after graduation?

Rural area or not, it's been hard for new graduates getting jobs period. Especially in a hospital setting. I personally wouldn't want to take a break, that would make it even harder. But If you really want to see your family you should do so, because once you have a full time job your not going to be able to just leave for a couple of months.

Which province are you living in?

2-3 months wouldn't make much of a difference but you are talking about half a year.

We can't tell you what to do, it's your call. Just be prepared to have a long job search. By the time you return and start applying, there will be another graduating class looking for work.

You should consider getting a casual line, get some experience and then be unavailable for four months.

The province I plan to work in is Manitoba, and I don't want to take for granted the fact that it will be easy to get a job, but it's genuinely not a concern for me at the moment (although I keep an eye on the job postings, and stay in touch with some friends I know who also work in that RHA, they've all told me that there will likely be something for me, even if it's not my ideal unit). Like I said, I still have lots of time to plan it out, I just finished my second year this spring. Other than job prospects, do you think it would be a challenge to work after having several months off since my last semester of nursing school? I'm primarily worried about losing skills or feeling out of practice.

From a skills perspective it would be better to start right away, but as many have pointed out it can take a few months to find that first job anyways. See how well prepared you feel when you graduate. I say go to China! Maybe for a couple months? You can start applying for jobs online when you're over there maybe

You should start applying now, even if you intend to take 4 months off. It may take 6-8 months to interview and begin work.

When I graduated, I had a position waiting, conditional on registration. I didn't start actually working for 5 months because I moved Provinces after completing a post grad course.

No matter where you want to work, it's competitive. Don't be concerned with losing skills. New grads require mentoring. You don't have skills to lose that early on.

Go to China! Come back refreshed and actively start the job search. As long as you start applying the same year you graduate, and put the effort in you should find something. Thats what I would fo anyway.

It doesn't matter how much rural you go.. Competition is fierce and you can always get a holiday if you do end up getting a job at the rural area. They say they might have a spot for you, but things can always change... esp with a lot of nursing students graduating with no job prospects ready to move anywhere at this point. Be mindful of that.