New Grad RN, When to apply?

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 17, 2015

When to apply depends on what is stated in the job requirements. Some may state that only licensed individuals may apply, and in fact my facility has a space where the applicant must enter an RN license before being allowed to continue filling out the online application. So, keep that in mind while researching job postings. Some you may be able to apply for prior to passing NCLEX; others you will need to wait. One of your other posts mentioned wanting to work in NICU. Some advice for the current employment environment: don't restrict yourself to applying only to the jobs you really really want. Many areas are currently seeing a glut of new grad nurses competing for the same jobs. Working in the NICU may instead require that you work in another area for a year or two to gain experience and establish an employment history with a facility. Then, you would be able to apply for internal applicant postings.

eacu · Oct 18, 2015

Well I'll tell you my story, so i graduated in April 2015 took boards June 2, i do have a CNA license, so while studying for boards i applied at a few hospitals got about 3 call backs and all told me to reapply as an RN once i pass, they sounded like they were blowing me off. Well i passed my boards got my license June 6, got trashed that day...I deserved it lol, June 7 I sent out emails to all the hospitals that told me to reapply as an RN...three days later I got a job offer started Aug. 10 and its been the best three months of my life thus far. In short, apply the day you get your license, apply in quantity, all departments, all hospitals in your area dont be shy about it there will be alot and I mean alot of competition. Best of luck.

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 19, 2015

Ask the hospitals ... as it can vary from place to place. The best new grad jobs at my hospital usually go to those new grads who are known to us before they graduate. If you wait until after you get licensed, you'll find most jobs already taken. We give "conditional offers" to the best candidates so that they can start as soon as they pass NCLEX (like, within a week or 2 of taking the test.)

eacu · Oct 19, 2015

Ask the hospitals ... as it can vary from place to place. The best new grad jobs at my hospital usually go to those new grads who are known to us before they graduate. If you wait until after you get licensed, you'll find most jobs already taken. We give "conditional offers" to the best candidates so that they can start as soon as they pass NCLEX (like, within a week or 2 of taking the test.)

One more thing. Don't worry about what the job description says, years experience etc...just apply for the jobs. You may still get interviews. Sometimes hospitals change their hiring policies without updating the job posting. And don't I really mean don't accept less than I would say 25 per hour even as a new grad. Here in South fla hospitals are trying to lower the starting pay for new nurses. The more that accept the more hospitals will try to pay us less.