Still apply if with less than 1 yr experience?

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Mar 8, 2012

If you are very close to that year's worth of experience, and you work within the field you're applying for, I would go ahead. Worst that can happen is you're passed over for someone else with more experience. But if the applications are thin enough that your 10.5 months is still ok, you'll be in luck.

If you have less than that, honestly, I wouldn't bother. A minimum of one year is really a very small minimum, considering.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2012

It never hurts to apply. I would apply anyway. You have nothing to lose.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2012

Go ahead and apply, but be truthful about how much experience you really have.

What's the worst thing that could possibly happen? All they can say is "No" if they are stringent with the one-year requirement. However, you might be pleasantly surprised with a request for an interview. Good luck to you regardless of the outcome!

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 8, 2012

The rule of thumb is..when applying for a position .. go for it if

you have 75% of the requirements listed for the job.

Apply, if you get an interview... you must EXUDE confindence.

That alone will get you the job!

Despareux · Mar 8, 2012

In the past, I've applied for positions (non-nursing) that required Bachelor or Master degrees and got the job without a degree. I plan on doing the same for any nursing position if I have the qualifications. Out of the 20 or so positions I've applied for, so far, I've only come across two positions that required an advanced degree, but I have ALL other qualifications, so I applied. All they can do is tell me 'No'.

NoviceRN10 · Mar 8, 2012

I wish I had thought/knew about the one year experience rule listed on so many applications before I quit my first nursing job! I worked 11 months as a nurse tech in an area of nursing that I love, but gave my notice to start my first RN job without a thought that one more month would mean whether I would get consideration for a job doing that type of nursing later. I could have rode it out for 4 more weeks (the position was contingent). So anyway, even though I am one month shy of working in that area for a year, I still apply for jobs and just put on the applications that I have a year's experience anyway.