Job Search

RunBabyRN · Nov 21, 2014

Are you networking yet? Start that NOW. You never know who could be THE resource you need. I have had some great resources come out of the woodworks. Have you connected with any nurse managers where you do your clinicals?

I also graduated in May, and I started applying in Feb or March. Didn't get me anywhere, so I can't speak to its effectiveness. :) I didn't have any luck until I was licensed, and then I was able to line up something outside of the hospital pretty quickly, though nothing full time (though my SNF job was at least that). I was able to get a job offer during preceptorship from the nurse manager, but there was a hiring freeze at that time, so she wasn't able to bring me on board. Network, network, network!!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2014

If you plan to work in an acute care hospital setting, you'll want to submit applications to new grad training programs several months prior to graduation. So for a graduation date of May, you'd want to get started with the applications in late February or early March at the latest.

If you want to work in a non-hospital workplace such as a home health company, nursing home, hospice or otherwise, you can wait until you are licensed. For these types of jobs, having a nursing license at the time of application will be your greatest bargaining chip.

shampick · Nov 22, 2014

I have not started networking directly. I am a board member of both my local chapter of the Student Nurse Association and the state board of directors or Indiana Association of Nursing Students. I was hoping to make some major connections during my capstone clinical next semester. I have several friends working in the hospital where I would like to work. I also have one medical resident as a reference at the same hospital. Thank you both for the advice!