Is 6 months too early?

roser13, ASN, RN · Jun 11, 2010

I don't think there's any such thing as applying "too early" unless you're not in your last year of nursing school yet. I assume that your cover letter would convey where you are in terms of graduation, so any manager that wants to interview would be fully informed.

Go for it! Don't forget to network at your clinical rotation spots...keep your eyes and ears open for potential openings.

cmmny · Jun 11, 2010

I started applying 2 months before graduation hoping to get ahead of the game, plus I have been an LPN for the past 14 years and thought it would help but no such luck. I have not got one call and I've sent out at least 50 resumes, even to jobs that I really didn't want. The ads are out there but no bites. So, I'm not sure what advice to give you but know that it really is a tough time out there right now and we may not get our dream job at first but a job and experience is better than none. Good Luck!!

mochamocha · Jun 11, 2010

It's never too early. You can explain to the interviewer that you want to be prepared and secure a job for when you graduate b/c it's very difficult for new grads to get a job nowadays. This shows that you're interested and that you are "planning" for your future career. I see nothing wrong with applying early :)

Altra, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2010

No, 6 months prior to anticipated graduation is not too soon. Anyone who reviews your resume will be aware of your projected graduation date, and have a reasonable estimate of when you could start working after that based on your state's requirements for licensure or obtaining a temporary practice permit prior to licensure. This is particularly true if you have an interest in a specialty area other than med-surg.

Jules A, MSN · Jun 11, 2010

I agree do it NOW! :) Even back when jobs were plentiful we were encouraged to have a position lined up before we started our final semester. Good luck.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jun 11, 2010

this is new to you but old hat to the nursing supervisors. They understand that to get the good ones you have to pull them in early. No harm in trying. At least you develop interview and job seeking skills

nurse2be2010 · Jun 11, 2010

Thanks so much for the prompt response, I appreciate it!

Wish me luck! :)

netglow, ASN, RN · Jun 11, 2010

OP, go ahead and apply, it won't hurt a thing. But, you'll find this was probably just chitchat along with what do you want to do when you graduate, where do you want to specialize, are you continuing school... you'll find that most often, there is no promise of work behind it, but there might be a rare case, so go ahead and apply. I cannot count how many similar conversations I had when I was a student. Be sure you check how long your application "stays on file" most likely by the time you graduate, you will have to do it over. Also, and most important once you pass the boards and when you do graduate for that matter YOU MUST go back in and update your application information!!!! or they might think that you are a forever student!

SC_RNDude · Jun 11, 2010

Other than it potentially being a big waste of your time, it can't hurt to apply early. However, as someone who has been looking for that first RN job for several months beginning before graduation, no one is too interested in you until you have your license, if at all. They don't need to "pull them in early", there are plenty of quality, experienced RN's to choose from without even bothering with the new grads. And for the few new grad jobs there are, the competition is fierce and the hospitals have their pick of the litter.

I don't mean to be a downer, and I believe things will change in the near future, but I thought you might want a different perspective from someone who is were you will be in 6 months. And, maybe things in your part of the country are different. But, if it was me, I wouldn't spend too much time applying for jobs right now. It is very time consuming and your time would be better spent on your studies.

I do recommend though, as someone else mentioned, to use those clinical opportunities to network and show off your personality and work ethic. Get to know the nurses, try to meet a manager, etc. See if your preceptor will write a letter of recommendation for you and ask if you can use them as a reference when you apply. When your at a clinical, assume you are "trying out" for a position. You never know who is watching you. For now and probably in 6 months you are likely going to get that job by a connection you have somewhere.

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Jun 12, 2010

As someone who has just graduated and has yet to test, I am finding that when I am applying to jobs online, if I don't have my liscense number to plug in to their online application then my application automatically gets rejected. The hospitals at least in my area do not accept paper applications in the HR departmetn. I think that once I am liscensed I will have to sit outside the recruiters office and stalk them so I can get a chance.

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2010

Yes, start applying now, the sooner the better, and just don't stop at that. You have to stand out among the other 200-300 other applicants that are probably applying as well. Call your recruiter to follow up on your application, do what you must do to 'stand out' among the crowd.