New Nurses-Length of Job Search?

CRNA2BKY · Jun 22, 2007

I'm in an ABSN program right now, and I wondered the same thing. So, when I was starting my ABSN program, I talked with 3 students from the ABSN class that was just graduating. They told me that out of 25 students graduating, 23 had jobs lined up before they graduated. The other 2 decided to take some time off after graduation, but all the others chose to get jobs, start working, and take the NCLEX after they start working.

That is what I'm going to do, because I know how competitive it is to get a job, and I want to get a place in a new graduate training program well in advance of graduation. I'd be affraid that if I waited to get a job until after I passed the NCELX, then I'd miss out on all the good new graduate training programs, and I might have to wait many months until the next one started. So for my peace of mind, I'm going to try and secure a job well in advance of graduating.

peds4now, RN · Jun 24, 2007

I just graduated, and it's such a mystery the whole job search process. I hear what the previous poster said. Some hospitals interview very early (Feb-April) and make offers then, snatching up the new grads. A kidn of hysteria sets in and all the graduating students think they have to find jobs right away. Others interview in June and start their programs later, around August or September. Some hospitals in my area insist you actually have your license first. I interviewed early and accepted a job early, then ended up backing out of it. New opportunities kept opening up.

I think it is a fallacy to think all the new grad positions will disappear. Positions get filled, and then people back out and they are suddenly open again. That's how it works. If you have waited, go ahead and interview at the early interview places, they might still have openings. Then interview at a couple backups that hire all year long or have late-start new grad programs.

I don't know where you live, but I wouldn't worry in general. I'd plan on about 3 weeks max of job search, and that long only because you want to weigh all the possibilities. I hope I'm not way off in my ideas.

Medwynn · Jun 24, 2007

many of my classmates were hired within two weeks of application to local hospitals including interview.. people doing the apprenticeship program were hired before graduation to their respective units.

hoglover · Jun 24, 2007

Hi everyone. I just graduated from LPN school and hope to take my NCLEX within the next month or so. I know that I want to go on for my RN and most likely BSN, but am not sure of the best route to take. I am 37 years old, so I really dont want to wast alot of time if ya know what I mean:lol2:! I have all of my prerequisites, any suggestions? Thanks so much! Im in Oklahoma if that matters

CRNA2BKY · Jun 25, 2007

Hi everyone. I just graduated from LPN school and hope to take my NCLEX within the next month or so. I know that I want to go on for my RN and most likely BSN, but am not sure of the best route to take. I am 37 years old, so I really dont want to wast alot of time if ya know what I mean:lol2:! I have all of my prerequisites, any suggestions? Thanks so much! Im in Oklahoma if that matters

Hey hoglover, you could start a whole new post with this question. Probably get a lot more responses. Good luck with whatever route you take.

S.T.A.C.E.Y, LPN · Jul 4, 2007

I sent out applications at the start of my final semester. Had one interview before I even applied b/c I was doing my final placement there. Told I was hired before the interview even started. Got a bunch of phone calls starting about one-two weeks after I'd dropped off applications at a job fair. Hired at my first-choice hospital about halfway through the semester, with all details finalized within two days of the interview--still only about halfway through the semester. Started work about one month after finishing school due to the time it took to process my temp-licence.