New grad jobs: When to apply?

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aren't schools encouraging upcoming grads to start applying for jobs in their last year of school? while i know last june was different than this june based on the economy but almost everyone in my class had a position secured before the start of our last semester. maybe i'm mistaken but it seems to me that many of the "there are no new grad jobs" threads sound like they didn't start applying until after they passed nclex. in my area, which is still excellent for nursing opportunities, by that time many different schools have graduated students and the majority of positions are filled. not criticizing after the fact but hoping this will help other soon to graduate students.

Specializes in critical care, PACU.
Depends on the state because some places you can even work under new-grad status before you take NCLEX. There is a time frame that you have to test in I believe. Obviously the job is contingent on passing NCLEX and the truth is that most first time testers do pass.

right. we call it an interim permit here

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Specializes in ER.

I graduate in May and I applied for a GN job in February. Had an interview in mid March and accepted the job by late March.

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Why can't you start applying now? That was my original question. I would have thought you would have been applying since late last summer or early fall. Thanks for replying and good luck with your job hunt!

I too graduate in December. Most hospitals Ive researched have dates they will begin accepting applications for January/February New Grad Programs. Most applications filings will begin in late summer.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I too graduate in December. Most hospitals Ive researched have dates they will begin accepting applications for January/February New Grad Programs. Most applications filings will begin in late summer.

Most or all? Are you expected to wait 8 months to start working? That just doesn't even make sense to me. I guess I'd opt out of one of those new grad programs. Many of my fellow students did them and learned a lot but imo they didn't pay diddly, required a committment and I got hired on my unit of choice without doing one. Definitely explore all your options before making a decision.

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Specializes in Oncology.

I started applying the beginning of my last semester. I officially accepted a job in March. I started 2 weeks after graduation.

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Most or all? Are you expected to wait 8 months to start working? That just doesn't even make sense to me. I guess I'd opt out of one of those new grad programs. Many of my fellow students did them and learned a lot but imo they didn't pay diddly, required a committment and I got hired on my unit of choice without doing one. Definitely explore all your options before making a decision.

8 months? Im a little confused, I wouldnt be waiting 8 months... If I graduate in Dec 2009, (start applying for new grad programs in Summer 09) the new grad prog starts Jan/Feb 2010, I would only be waiting about 1-2 months before I started working. Which gives you enough time to study and take the NCLEX, where I live, most hospitals allow you to work on an IP.

I cant speak for ALL hospitals, but the ones Im interested in require you to apply late summer for a job that starts 5-6 mo later, however I would be in my last semester of nursing school for that time.

The reason Im most interested in a new grad program is because I would like to go into NICU and feel I can benefit from some structured additional training.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
8 months? Im a little confused, I wouldnt be waiting 8 months... If I graduate in Dec 2009, (start applying for new grad programs in Summer 09) the new grad prog starts Jan/Feb 2010, I would only be waiting about 1-2 months before I started working. Which gives you enough time to study and take the NCLEX, where I live, most hospitals allow you to work on an IP.

I cant speak for ALL hospitals, but the ones Im interested in require you to apply late summer for a job that starts 5-6 mo later, however I would be in my last semester of nursing school for that time.

The reason Im most interested in a new grad program is because I would like to go into NICU and feel I can benefit from some structured additional training.

Ooops, sorry about that I'm the one that was confused. I thought you were graduating in December and couldn't start a program until late summer. :( Best of luck, NICU is awesome and yes would require a good orientation program.

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Specializes in Oncology.

I also worked as a "graduate nurse" from May when I started until July when I got my license.

I had classmates who had jobs lined up going into their last semester.

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Ooops, sorry about that I'm the one that was confused. I thought you were graduating in December and couldn't start a program until late summer. :( Best of luck, NICU is awesome and yes would require a good orientation program.

No Prob! :wink2: Thank you!

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

I had a corporate background before getting into nursing...so I knew how to interview.

However, nursing, I discovered, is different, the questions are different, they are obviously, not the business-oriented questions that I was used to.

So to prepare, I just researched threads on this website on what other senior members, members of managment, etc, wanted at a nursing interview.

I have had one interview so far, and as far as an "interview performance", I am pretty sure I nailed it...now, whether I am the new grad that they want, remains to be seen!

What a shame they aren't more proactive with the advice they give you. We had to come in wearing interview attire for critique, they helped us with our resumes, interview questions etc. They really groomed us to find jobs which I am very thankful for now.
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Specializes in Psychiatric.

I'm glad to see this brought up, because I've been wondering about it lately. So... I'm an LPN student (who happens to live in the same general area as Jules), and I graduate in August. When should I start applying for jobs? Beginning of the summer semester, perhaps?

(And, for that matter, how much time should I give myself to study between graduation and taking the NCLEX?)

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Nursing jobs in this economy are changing, I just went to a career fair and the hospitals are not even talking with New Grads. They have alot of their own CNA's on board who are working there already and graduating soon. They are already employees there, making it harder for New Grads to land their first job. if you have a year to go, see if you can get in as a CNA. this will help. What's happening is Season Nurses leave the hospital for other jobs with many New Nurses not enough Season Nurses to Precept and the floor is at risk. The problem is Season Nurses not all but most leave the Hospitals within 2 years.

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