What do (did) you do during the gap between graduation and your first job

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Just want to see what everyone's plan is besides studying for NCLEX.:)

Also, if you don't have a CNA job or other jobs already, what else can you do for a few months during the gap? I plan to volunteer.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Went to a wedding

Had surgery

Had an outbreak of shingles

Got my ATT and scheduled the test

Studied for the NCLEX

Passed the NCLEX

Started taking the pre-reqs for a RN-BSN program

Volunteered at the local city clinic

Hunted for a job

Repeated the last two items until I finally landed a job

This was all over a period of 3 months.

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Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.

I worked (a lot) as a patient care technician for 2 months, went on a cruise, studied for NCLEX, went to the beach.

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

I had 1 week so I partied with my fellow grads

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I got hired as a graduate nurse and was alowed to work as one until I took the NCLEX. Some employers still hire graduate nurses. (and this was in 2010, so not too long ago)

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Specializes in MICU - CCRN, IR, Vascular Surgery.

I continued to work as a PCT and studied for the NCLEX, after spending a week at the beach :D I took the NCLEX 1 month after graduation, and then started RN orientation the week after testing.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

Passed NCLEX May 22nd. Still working in the float pool as CNA at the hospital I've been hired at. Although I find myself having to be even more "cautious" since I am working as a CNA, despite being a licensed RN. We have some units that are less than stellar, and I don't want to become tangled up with the "mess" that goes on some of these units. Ive worked for this facilities for 3 years now, as a CNA.

Orientation for all new grad RNs is July 15th, after which I will be working in the heart center as a CVICU nurse!!!!

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Specializes in critical care.

I'll be getting a lumbar fusion probably :\

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Specializes in LTC.

Had a baby! My oldest DD was born less than a week after my last day of class. My plan for my maternity leave was to study for NCLEX, pass it, and have a job as an RN within 6-8 weeks. It turned out having a newborn doesn't lend itself to studying, so I didn't even think about studying for NCLEX until I went back to work at my CNA job when she was six weeks old. I took (and passed) NCLEX about a month after I went back to work and was offered an RN position with the same employer shortly thereafter.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I volunteered in the same ER and worked at the same call center as when I started nursing school. I fit in my NCLEX and job interviews around that. I finally found a job 8 months after graduation. Unfortunately, the job was cancelled, and I was sent home 45 minutes into my first shift. I found my next job 2 months later.

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Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

I moved out of state after graduation, so there was that. And, then, studied for the NCLEX for a month while applying for jobs. Didn't have any luck on the job front until I took and passed the NCLEX. And, even then, it was slim pickings (not many jobs for new grads when I graduated).

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Specializes in public health.
I moved out of state after graduation, so there was that. And, then, studied for the NCLEX for a month while applying for jobs. Didn't have any luck on the job front until I took and passed the NCLEX. And, even then, it was slim pickings (not many jobs for new grads when I graduated).

Do you think it's more likely to get an interview once you are licensed?

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

I only had 3 weeks in between but instead of studying I was lazy and just studied a little bit :)

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