How soon did it took you to find a job?

Lindsay42 · Jun 9, 2007

Applied and a week later I had an interview with HR. The next day I had an interview with the nurse managers on the floor. They called me on my drive home (only a 7 mile drive) and offered me the job. :)

gerry79 · Jun 9, 2007

Had a job offer in November graduated in January, started work in March

ByTheLake · Jun 12, 2007

I've already graduated, haven't taken NCLEX yet, and am now *starting* to look for a job. I moved to a new home 4 hours away *before* graduating (months before), and between the crazy commute and not knowing for sure we'd stay in our current home for long, I've waited until now to start applying. A little stressful, but honestly, I'm scared to death of actually BEING a nurse, so in comparison, length of Job Search is small beans ;-)

GrnHonu99, RN · Jun 13, 2007

I'll be brief: I just want to know how soon did it took you to find a job in a hospital as a nurse. Please comment! Thanks :)

I had a job 6 months before I graduated. I moved the day af ter my preceptoship was over, started orientation two weeks after I moved and passed nclex in Nov. and was on my own by december.

diamondqueen · Jun 22, 2007

I graduated in May and I have just started looking for a position as a nurse. As a previous poster stated I am terrrified of all the responsibility of being a nurse. Most of my classmates had jobs months before graduation. The position I applied for does not start until October. That is just fine with me because right now I am preparing to take the NCLEX so I can pass it the first time and I am also planning to relocate.

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 22, 2007

Had a job 2 months before graduation...

Swtooth

nancynurse2003 · Jun 22, 2007

anonymurse had some really good advice about starting early for the job search and viewing the first year of nursing as a "year long clinical". also i think the interview process can be very beneficial for any new grad. you learn how to ask for what you want and to better understand what employers wants from you. landing the first job you apply for is not always the best thing. i learned a lot about what was out there by going to several job interviews. i like to keep my options open. it worked for me...after my fifth interview i was able to compare with the other jobs i had interviewed for and i then chose the best one for me.

ophirose · Jun 23, 2007

1 month after graduation, which was my choice. I applied one day and was hired the next.

abundantjoy07, RN · Jun 23, 2007

Well, I wanted to Graduate first. Then I decided I wanted to pass the NCLEX first. Now, 2 days after passing the boards, I'm looking.

Yes, I waited until the last minute when everyone else was applying in February...but that wasn't a priority at the time.

Hopefully, I can get my foot in the door somewhere next week!

abundantjoy07, RN · Jun 26, 2007

Well, I wanted to Graduate first. Then I decided I wanted to pass the NCLEX first. Now, 2 days after passing the boards, I'm looking.
Yes, I waited until the last minute when everyone else was applying in February...but that wasn't a priority at the time.
Hopefully, I can get my foot in the door somewhere next week!

Got the job in the ER...the same day of my interview. It was nice to be offered the position on the spot. So a week after the NCLEX or 4 days after finding out I passed.

Yeah, all that early before graduation mess doesn't fly with me.

Pretty in Ink · Jun 26, 2007

I am currently in school and am wondering how do you get job offers / accept job offers without taking the NCLEX 1st or graduating?? I would really appreciate any tips you have b/c I would love to be out the door with a job asap! Thanks for making this thread!

abundantjoy07, RN · Jun 26, 2007

I am currently in school and am wondering how do you get job offers / accept job offers without taking the NCLEX 1st or graduating?? I would really appreciate any tips you have b/c I would love to be out the door with a job asap! Thanks for making this thread!

Usually nursing schools host job fairs early in the spring semester for senior nursing student. Lots of companies will hire new grads. The thing is...they are hiring you with the expectation that you will graduate. When you do you'll be a GVN (graduate vocational nurse). You can work as a GVN while you are studying for the NCLEX.

They also have the expectation that you'll pass the NCLEX and become a LVN. Thus, they'll keep you on staff.

Hospitals and similar health centers do hire new nurses as interns/new grads/GNs or GVNs. Usually most students accept these jobs early on in the semester...like February or March when they'll graduate in May.

The thing is, you need to see what will happen at the hospital you are interested in if you don't graduate OR if you do graduate and don't pass the NCLEX the first time.

I really can't tell you too much about that since I waited until after I graduated and passed the boards. Of course, I'm in the minority. Most students search for jobs quickly.

Speak with nurse recruiters at the places you are interested in working and let them know about your situation and see what they can offer you as a new grad.