when to start applying for RN jobs?

[sophie<3]

I am finishing up my 3rd semester of nursing school..only one more to go!!!!!

That being said...I have been browsing the internet for job openings at the local hospitals. I currently work as a tech and have landed an externship this summer in the NICU at one of the larger hospitals in the area and think my chances of getting a job there are good. So when should I apply for RN positions? I graduate mid-December and was thinking of putting in applications around June or July and continue to do so regularly through next semester until I get something. Is that too early? When I got hired as a tech it took at least 2 months to get through the interview and orientation and all the preliminary stuff so I imagine an RN job may take longer. But I don't want to be applying so far ahead that my applications get tossed aside because I am still in school. Any thoughts?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

If you graduate in December and want to be hired into a January new grad internship at a hospital, you will need to apply during the month of October. The rule of thumb is two to three months in advance. I personally think that June is way too early to start submitting your applications. Good luck to you!

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

In my area, you need to watch the hospital websites for the deadlines associated with their internships. Check every week.

As for applying for jobs, you can get a lot of good information about how to go about it if you go to nursing job fairs. Unfortunately, the nurse recruiters are not there to hire you, but they can provide information about the new grad hiring practices at their facilities.

For example, at one job fair, each facility/healthsystem had different requirements regarding applications. Some said apply prior to graduation, others said apply right before your NCLEX, others said don't bother until you have license in hand. I wrote them all down, and that's what I'm doing.

It's very location specific, so go to the job fairs and watch the websites. Don't underestimate the power of networking, which might get you an "in." Good luck.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

Thanks for posting this thread. I too have the same question as a mid dec. graduate. I honestly don't feel comfortable applying to jobs until I have my license in hand. However, I may start applying in October and just hope for the best.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Thanks for posting this thread. I too have the same question as a mid dec. graduate. I honestly don't feel comfortable applying to jobs until I have my license in hand. However, I may start applying in October and just hope for the best.

Don't wait until you get your license to apply!!! It can take a few weeks/months after graduation before you pass the NCLEX, so that means you won't even start applying until February, at best, and it can take several months for you to get an interview. Start early, have a good resume, and state in your cover letter or application that your expected graduation date is XX/XX/XX. It shows motivation and you'll be ahead of, or at least even with the other thousands of students graduating in December.

I graduate mid-May. I started applying in February, applied frequently throughout March, got two interviews at the beginning of April and was hired mid-April. It pays to start early. Starting in September would be fine. Starting in June is probably to early, as the hospitals will not want to wait six months to fill their open positions.

Good luck!

Ashley