How important is it to work as a Graduate Nurse first?

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 21, 2012

I don't quite get your preceptor's idea. The GN permit originally came about because boards were only offered twice a year and there was no such thing as finding out you passed 2 days later- it took at least several weeks. As a GN, depending on facility policy, orientation was essentially the same orientation as an RN, perhaps with limited abilities (for me, I was not allowed to count instruments in the OR unless the RN was literally standing over my shoulder and it was more like three people counting instead of two until I had my own license). Don't wait to take NCLEX just because you want to work as a GN first. Go ahead and get the test behind you while you continue the job search. Some hospitals may hire a new grad who has already passed boards ahead of a GN who still has the potential to fail- and then lose the temporary permit, meaning the hospital cannot continue to allow the person to work as a GN and must either suspend, fire, or have them do nothing more than CNA work.

DoGoodThenGo · Apr 21, 2012

I will be graduating in 3weeks. Quite a few of my classmates have secured Graduate Nurse positions, but I have not. (yet) I was thinking that I will eventually find a job, I may not find one until I have my license, which should be July/August. But, my preceptor mentioned that I really should start out as a Grad. Nurse first. She said it isn't really a good idea to wait for licensure.
Is this true? Will it make a difference if I can't find a job until I have my license? I suddenly feeled pressured to find a Grad Nurse job.
Thank You for any information.

What the previous poster said.

There is little difference between working as a GN versus one's first gig as a newly licensed RN. Both positions require orientation/new grad preceptor classes and so forth which vary by facility.

Main and big difference between a graduate nurse and new RN is that the former most always are required by state practice acts to work under the license of a latter. Thus when it comes to staffing in such situations a GN cannot be left on her/his own, something not all facilities like.

By all means concentrate on taking and passing the boards. Think you'll find more chances of employment *with* a vaild license than without.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 22, 2012

I didn't work as a GN, half because I had personal issues to take care of immediately after graduation, and half because there were very few GN spots in my area--the classmates who did become GNs had locked the spots up because they were internal employees somewhere or had connections.

Almost three years later and here I am, certified in my speciality and with two jobs (by choice: they're in two very different settings). Would working as a GN first have been nice? Maybe. Is it necessary for success? Not in the least.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Apr 23, 2012

Working as a GN would be great for the experience, but I wouldn't say it is necessary to become a great nurse or to land your first RN job.

Altra, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2012

Your preceptor may simply have been communicating the reality that if you are an imminent spring graduate in a state that allows working as a GN prior to taking NCLEX ... those who started looking for jobs in Jan/Feb. are ahead of the game. Health care facilities can only absorb so many new grad nurses per season.

A GN job IS an RN job ... they're just willing to hire you and hedge their bets that you will indeed pass NCLEX within a certain time frame and become licensed.

allnurses Guide · Apr 23, 2012

Your preceptor may be referencing that the hospitals in YOUR area may not hire outside of internships. Meaning the jobs are snatched up prior to even graduating and usually start just prior to taking boards. In my area of the country, if you wait until you pass NCLEX to start hunting, you missed the boat completely.

RNperdiem, RN · Apr 23, 2012

My hospital only hires new grads twice a year.

Once the positions are filled, there will be no jobs for you to apply for in the summer because all your classmates got hired while still in school with a start date pending passing the NCLEX.