New Grad RN Job Questions!

[NICUnurse21]

Hi!

I graduate this May with my BSN, and I was wondering when I should begin searching for a job! I look online all the time and see hardly any positions open, let alone "new grad" positions. Will the positions for new grads be clearly stated, or do I just apply for one? I feel like I have no idea where to begin!

Also, has anyone applied for a job out of town or out of state? How did that go? Any tips??

Thank you!

[klone, MSN, RN]

You should begin searching for a job last May. Oops, sorry, I thought you said you already graduated.

Start looking now to see if hospitals have new grad programs. Often the application deadline is before graduation.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

New Grad RN Jobs, Employment | Indeed.com

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

Most new grad residency programs are highly competitive, but apply anyway. Most should be taking applications now for summer programs. Other than the residency programs, most facilities will not consider pre licensure applicants, so you are better off waiting until you pass NCLEX to apply. Right now (if you haven't already) start making good connections. Your preceptors and the NMs where you do clinicals are excellent resources as are other nurses you work with. If you are working as a tech or CNA, that's always a good place to start talking to people about future employment, but even if not the nurses you work with at clinical will be your best resource for a job after you pass NCLEX.

Some facilities will advertise a job and say that new grads are welcome to apply. Most will not, you want to look for ads that do not

say a year experience is required. if it says preferred, they may consider a new grad and those are ads you want to answer.

As far as out of town positions, once you are licensed if you are willing to relocate that may be the fastest way to get your first job. More rural areas are easier to get a job at than bigger cities. Places like North Dakota always have openings and are new grad friendly, I have heard that the same holds true for other places, as well, but can't really tell you exactly where.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Now would be a good time. I applied for the job I eventually got in January of my senior of college.

[RunnerRN2015, ASN, RN]

I graduated in December. We started applying for new grad RN positions in September since the new grad programs in my area stop taking applications around Oct 1. We interviewed in October and started getting job offers soon after. I was hired in early November, pending graduation (done!) and passing NCLEX (done!). My school has it's own HR rep at the hospital our school is affiliated with so that certainly makes the process easier.