Waiting to get first job...is that ok?

[newRNgrd]

I graduated in December and due to family obligations, I haven't searched much for my first job yet. In fact, I'd really rather wait until September to start my first job since my kids will all be off to college by then and I'd have time to help my elderly parents with getting their home ready to sell. This is a second career for me. Would it be a disadvantage to wait until August to start seriously looking for my first nursing job, 8 months after I graduated? I went to a good school, and did very well. I thought I'd get a few certifications this summer in the meantime (ACLS & PALS). I don't know what potential employers might think of the delay.

[One1, BSN, RN]

I don't think it will be to your advantage professionally to wait that long but you have to figure out your own personal priorities and go from there. Professionally, you will have one, possibly even two cohorts of fresh-out-of-school new grads competing with you by next fall or winter. Their school knowledge will be fresher than yours and their inside connections probably more valuable. ACLS and PALS are nice to have but are not required for all areas of nursing, so you might invest a lot of money into something that will not necessarily pay off.

[fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN]

If you'd like to start working then, I'd start searching ASAP. I graduated in December and although I began working in March, over 50% of my classmates still have not found a job. The market is tough and it takes a lot of searching, calling, and interviews before you will find a job. My State Board of Nursing puts out a new nurse study yearly that shows the average length of time it is taking actively seeking new grads to find a jobs(in my state it's 12-18 months), so I would check your state's nursing board website to see if they have something similar. That will give you an idea of how long you will probably actively search before finding a job. Good luck!

[llg, PhD, RN]

The longer you wait, the more of a disadvantage. You'll lose some of your knowledge and skills because you won't be using them. Employers know that and it will make you less attractive.

I know that is not what you want to hear, but it is the truth in most cases. Of course, you may get lucky and be an exception to the rule. But the "bright, new, shiney" graduates will have an advantage over you for most jobs.

[240zRN]

DON'T WAIT! It isn't even just the fact that you are racing the clock due to lots of new grad programs having graduation cut off dates; but it takes time to simply learn to sift through the disinformation online regarding jobs, takes time to tweak the resume as you learn more about what employers want to see, and it takes time to network as you make your phone calls and build connections. It is more than simply putting the time in to apply, but there is lots of effort invested in simply learning how to navigate the unique job market that is new grad nursing!

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

There is a phenomenon out there now in which a "new grad" becomes an "old new grad". What this means is that they have gone so long since graduating without finding work that the up and coming new grads have become competition. The longer you go without finding work the harder finding work becomes.

If you have a choice, I would not wait to look for work, but then it is already June. Two more months is probably not going to make a difference at this point.

[AllynaBerry]

At this point, I would be very certain to have a valid explanation of the delay ready for any interview that you do get. It is an obvious question for any interviewer to ask. I would make sure that you practice a very sincere and honest answer. You do not have to make it super personal and by law, they cannot delve too deeply into your personal life with their questions. But they will want to know why the delay. So be ready to deal with the question.