Illinois license and job prospects

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Just curious if anyone happens to know if licensure helps job prospects in the chicagoland area. I am a new grad from out of state and I have been applying but still waiting on my license and have gotten denied from nearly all the places I have applied to. Will having my official license help me get through to an interview at least? Is there something else I should be doing to make myself more competitive? I am soon going to be volunteering at a hospital and looking into getting my ACLS. Any information helps. I feel like I'm shooting in the dark

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Specializes in Nursing.

Hi! I will be in the same situation as you once I graduate in May. Do you know if you had any luck getting an offer at a job in Chicago?

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Hey gradnurse, So though it took longer than usual I did get my license in early July. Around then the applications that I applied to afterward actually started responding to me more than without my license. With my license I got about 4 interviews and 2 offers and I currently work in a cardiology office in the south suburbs. Inner city was just too unresponsive. But if you’re well connected, you should have better luck in the city

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Specializes in Nursing.

So you would recommend not applying for jobs until you are licensed or at least close to being licensed? I would love to work in the city but I also hate waiting to here back for months on end so I am torn. What suburb areas are good to look at that are closest to the city and what hospitals are good in the suburbs? My boyfriend has a job right in the middle of downtown so we are trying to meet in the middle or work in the same area. This is all so stressful and there are very limited resources out there so I appreciate the help!

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How long has it been since you applied for licensure??? I"m sure people are not even willing to hire without a current IL license. I"m looking at moving from Houston to Chicago so I have all of the same questions! Good luck!

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Specializes in Nursing.
3 hours ago, nzgal said:

How long has it been since you applied for licensure??? I"m sure people are not even willing to hire without a current IL license. I"m looking at moving from Houston to Chicago so I have all of the same questions! Good luck!

I haven't applied for licensure yet. I was probably going to wait until March to send in all of my information since it takes about 6 weeks from what I've heard and then the ATT card expires after 90 days. So if all my stars align, I will apply early March, receive an ATT card late April and then take the NCLEX the 3rd week of June.

As for applying to jobs, I heard that they don't even look at applications until you have your licensure number. BUT I have heard of a couple random people getting lucky and having a job in Chicago by 2 months out of school. I'll be crying tears of joy if that happens to me. Please let me know if you hear any more information or anything different than what I have told you.

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You got this girl!!!! Promise to let you know. I'm not quite sure about IL nursing and have many questions myself!

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