Should I apply as a nurse even though I've yet to be licensed?

[mmm cdiff]

I'm in my final semester of nursing school and due to graduate in May. I don't know just yet when I'll be sitting for the boards, but I'm hoping it's within a month or so of graduation.

I'm working per diem as a pediatric nursing assistant right now, and heard from some of the nurses today that there have been some new pediatric nurse positions posted on the intranet. Well, they're there. "Pediatric experience preferred", and says nothing about wanting someone with 1-2 years experience as a nurse. My coworkers seem to like me enough too; I'm hoping a good word could be put in.

My question: Should I apply, though I'm not licensed yet? Do these applications take long enough to process that I could have my license by the time I'm actually hired? I don't know if anything like this will be available by the time May rolls around, and then I'd really kick myself.

[SNIXRN]

YES! I applied for my job 3 months before I graduated. So yes!! Apply even though you haven't graduated!! Good luck :)

[transplantlife]

Heck yes I'd apply! I'm only the second half of my first semester but these things can take some time and it would be my guess that if you apply, by the time they interview you, get everything all tidied up and everything else you should be very very close to graduation if not graduated. if they like you as you say, shouldn't be all that hard to give you the position contingent upon passing your NCLEX within 2 weeks of graduation say. on the other hand, these things do go by fast with so many folks out there looking for nursing work. If you've got any kind of an in, try to take advantage of it and get them to offer you the job contingent upon passing the NCLEX. Good Luck!

[punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN]

Yup - what the others said!! What's the worst that can happen if you do apply?? They say no? What's the worst that can happen if you don't? You could miss a job opportunity!!

[babyNP., APRN]

I would sit down and talk to your manager and ask her about applying.

I applied for jobs in a January, graduated in a June, passed the boards in July, and then started working in August. Another gal hadn't taken her boards when we started at first because she had just graduated in August. She ended up taking them in October.

In the olden days, you didn't find out if you passed NCLEX for quite a few weeks, so this was actually very common to be hired and working, although not having a license (pending the results).

[Jules A, MSN]

We all interviewed during winter break before our final semester and most of us were offered positions at that time for when we graduated. Good luck!

[mr_nurse_drew, ADN, BSN, RN]

Definitely apply! I applied before I graduated and started working as a Graduate Nurse until I took state boards. Get yourself out there now! There are only so many positions and if you wait the competition will be more fierce!

[Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP]

I'd say go ahead and start applying, but also check with the hospitals you're sending applications to. Some will let you apply before you pass boards, some won't. It certainly can't hurt to try though!

[muffins20]

Definitely apply while in school. It's not fun to study for the boards AND job hunt at the same time (when you're a grad w/o a license it probably doesn't look good) AND deal with whatever life wants to throw at you.

[MouseMichelle]

APPLY .... seriously go for it.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

Definitely apply, but make sure the hospital hires new grads who haven't passed the NCLEX, and that your state allows New Grads to work as nurses before they pass the NCLEX. I graduated in Massachusetts, which does not have Graduate Nurse status; you're a nurse when you pass the boards, not before.

[sunnycalifRN]

Absolutely, apply. You can even be hired before you pass the NCLEX but you will be given a deadline to be licensed.