Last Semester of Nursing School-When To Apply for Jobs

daisyfleur70 · Dec 20, 2012

I just graduated from nursing school last week, and they pretty much told us to start looking for residencies in the last 2 months of the term (we did semesters). Residency postings don't stay up for long because tons of apps are submitted and the listings are pulled because of the volume of apps they receive. (At least that's how it is here in the Seattle/Tacoma market). Some of the recruiters were even suggesting that we apply to pretty much anything because some facilities don't post residencies at all for that reason.

Also, if you kick butt in your preceptorship, you have a decent chance of getting a job there because they know you and have "seen you in action" so to speak. That's kind of the short answer based on my experience. Good luck to you, and congrats on being nearly done!

Racer15, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2012

I graduated a few weeks ago. The hospitals in my area started posting jobs for RNAs in the very beginning of October, so that's when I applied. Basically my advice is, as soon as your hospitals make the jobs available, apply!

AuS10 · Dec 22, 2012

Congrats to you on graduating! I can only imagine how excited you are to be done! Thank you so much for your reply, it was very helpful! What kind of nursing are you interested in doing?

BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2012

During one of our last post-conferences in December we had a couple of people from the hospital we were doing our clinicals come to do some preliminary recruiting. They pretty much introduced themselves to us and gave us a little token gift, as well as told us about the big recruiting event that will take place in February. They said they start taking student apps after that event and last year hired people as early as March for those positions. I'm already tweaking my résumé to get ready for February! :)

Katie71275 · Dec 22, 2012

Have your resume ready to go! I've heard to be prepared to submit apps around January-April for May grads. I've just finished tweaking my resume and am adding to it each class/experience so that it is up to date.

Nscorpiored, BSN · Dec 22, 2012

I have been looking work as a tech/PCA for the past few months. I started looking for work early because the later you wait the longer I feel you will wait after nursing school. My biggest fear is that I won't be able to find work with in 1-2 years after I graduate, especially in the field I want to be in which is Mother/Baby

I agree I have been apply to jobs at least 9 months before graduation

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2012

ASAP would be a good time. When I was a senior in college, I started applying for jobs in January and interviewed/had an offer by March with a May graduation date.

SC APRN, DNP, APRN, NP · Dec 23, 2012

I've applied to two places already and had my first interview last week. I will be applying to several more facilities in January.