Question about timing of new grad programs

[penelopepussycat]

First serious question here in AN!

I am in my senior year of nursing school and just happened to get engaged as well! The planning has fallen together flawlessly so far, but there is one serious hitch in my plans to get hitched:

I graduate in May in a city with several large hospitals nearby. However, I plan on moving back to my hometown and buying some land (and cows, and goats, and chickens... ). The new grad program page for the big hospital in my hometown has been down for months, so I can't find much information there. My major question is this:

How willing are hospitals to work with you on your start date once you get hired? If I graduate in May, plan to take NCLEX in June, and get married in September, would hospitals be willing to work with me on a flexible start date or time off for wedding/honeymoon? Or do new grad programs usually bring on new hires once a year like a cohort at the same time? Would I be better off to try to move the wedding up to June or July and move at the same time?

The wedding is at a family home, so there's no pressure for a date immediately. This is also all contingent on actually getting a job in my hometown, but a girl can dream, eh?

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

Are you referring to a residency program? From what I've researched, a lot of the programs I looked at have a set start date. Some of them have programs starting once a year, and others I saw had 3 start dates for the year. I'd have to look back at those sites to refresh my memory, but unfortunately I don't have my computer with me right now.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Formal new grad programs are VERY EXPENSIVE and resource-intensive for hospitals. The program dates are not flexible at all. If you want to participate, you'll have to flex your personal plans. FYI, I've never heard of an organization that is willing to delay start dates for anyone other than a 'hard to fill' position such as a highly qualified manager or clinical specialist with mad skills.

Wishing you the absolute best of luck on all the exciting stuff you have going on!