So I graduated...now what?

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Specializes in acutecarefloatpool. BSN/RN/CMSRN. i dabble in pedi.

Hello! I just graduated with my BSN December 19, 2014. I did my celebrating, and now it is time to get back to work...

Do I prioritize studying for NCLEX and getting licensed or making sure that I have a job? Should I do a little bit of each every day? How should I plan out these next couple months? I understand that many places will not consider new grads until they have passed NCLEX. What should I be focusing on right now? Thanks.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Congratulations on graduating!

You have not applied to any jobs? Most December grads who wanted to be accepted to new grad hospital programs submitted their applications in September or October, at least a couple of months prior to graduation. However, I can totally understand it if you are okay with not working at a hospital. It is not for everyone.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

If you haven't already started applying for jobs, I definitely would start looking online at positions you are interested in and have a resume ready. I waited until I passed the NCLEX to apply for jobs figuring they wouldn't even consider me until I had licensure, but I feel like most of my peers were employed first because they had been job hunting in school before graduation, and then started orientation as soon as they were licensed. Also, it seems like a lot of places, at least in this area, will let you work as an aide until you've passed and can start in a nursing capacity. Good luck!

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

My class of 30 almost all had jobs pending NCLEX by the time we graduated. We graduated in May and most of us got our ticket to test as soon as grades were in and we tested before mid-June. I started my job less than a month from graduation.

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I am surprised that your nursing school didn't bring in a local hospital system or have a meeting with your class to get your excited and ready for the next step of applying for a graduate nurse position.

Anyway: this is a GREAT time to apply for nursing positions!! You'll be starting in late January or early February -- the beginning of the year. You'll have a great chance of getting into your specialty right away as the units are dealing with a new budget.

Apply online for graduate nurse positions -- all hospitals know the drill for new nurses. Give your nursing department head a call, too. Ask to use her for a reference -- or contact your favorite clinical instructors -- you want to have references set up and you' should ask permission before writing them down.

I had my resume / cover letters professionally done -- not sure anyone else did that, but I don't have time to create one. It cost about $125.

While you are waiting for call backs and setting up interviews, you can start setting up a study schedule for the NCLEX.

This is what I am doing right now as I just finished on Monday the 22nd. I applied 2 weeks ago to two institutions and have interviews at each one. Our school gave us the guidance and the institutions let us know the time schedule for things.

Good luck and CONGRATS!!

Andi

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As everyone said, you should have started applying for jobs already. Most of the new grad residency applications that are opening soon will be for jobs starting in the summer at the earliest. Most new grad programs accept new grads who aren't graduated yet. But since you are graduated, it would be best for you to become license ASAP.

Definitely take the NCLEX as soon as possible. The longer you wait the lower your chances of passing. Don't take months! Did your school include a review course for you? Use that as a roadmap, but don't let your knowledge slip.

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Maybe my area is different but in my class of 100, very few people have had a job offer because we haven't been licensed yet. We graduated on 12/12/14 and the BON still hasn't authorized us to test. All the job listings for the major hospitals in the area state that a current RN license is required in order to apply (even new grad positions). I've had plenty of nurse managers/recruiters tell me to call them once I'm licensed so I don't think they want to spend the time to interview someone if there is a chance they won't pass nclex. And my school has a fantastic pass rate of >93%.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I work with a lot of students who are about to graduate (they come to me for their community health rotation which is one of the last things they do, it seems) and they have all said that hospitals here in Denver that have new grad programs do not accept any applications until they have passed the NCLEX and are licensed.

I would set up your NCLEX date for ASAP. There's no point in delaying it - right now you're at the best you can possibly be for passing.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I work with a lot of students who are about to graduate (they come to me for their community health rotation which is one of the last things they do, it seems) and they have all said that hospitals here in Denver that have new grad programs do not accept any applications until they have passed the NCLEX and are licensed.
The regional differences are astounding. I'm two states away from Colorado, in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas. Local new grads who hope to secure hospital employment are expected to apply two to three months prior to graduation.

I remember a horrible interview in 2010, the year I completed the LPN-to-ASN transition program. The hospital recruiter who interviewed me seemed annoyed that I had applied to the new grad program after graduation instead of prior to graduation. She even asked, "Out of curiosity, why did you apply in June when you graduated in March? We expect people to apply several months before graduating."

Anyhow, I didn't get the job. Oh well, it was probably for the best anyway. Rejection can sometimes be a form of protection.

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I work with a lot of students who are about to graduate (they come to me for their community health rotation which is one of the last things they do, it seems) and they have all said that hospitals here in Denver that have new grad programs do not accept any applications until they have passed the NCLEX and are licensed.

I would set up your NCLEX date for ASAP. There's no point in delaying it - right now you're at the best you can possibly be for passing.

Same with my area. I'm in Las Vegas, NV. It seems as though the only people that are getting job offers from my class are those that are good friends with recruiters/nurse managers. Most don't have those connections so it makes it hard.

I'd love to set up my nclex date but unfortunately I have to wait until the board authorizes me to do so. The people who graduated in December '13 didn't get authorized until after New Years. I'm just studying and waiting right now.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I was curious - I just looked back at the calendar for 2006 - my license became active on 6/20, so I think I took the NCLEX on 6/16, and our official graduation was 5/13. I had pre-registered with the BON, so the second I got the ATT, I set up my date, and I think I was one of the first to take the exam in our class. Even then it was over a month from graduation to exam.

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In the Chicago area they won't touch you without a license. All ads say licensure required.

Your application and resume will be tossed without a license

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