When to apply for first FNP job, in relation to graduation

Specialties NP

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Hi all,

Just looking for advice on when to start the application process for my first NP job. I would love to work in a community health clinic in an urban area. But any advice or experiences you all can share would be appreciated, regardless of your location/specialty ect.

Thanks !

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I started applying about 1 month before graduation. I had several interviews and a couple of offers before graduation day. I'd go on as many interviews as you can, for the experience in both interviewing and seeing the different types of organizations out there. I did end up working in an urban community health center....very challenging, but also very rewarding. Make sure you check out the National Health Services Corp website for listings of these types of jobs. The loan repayment they offer is great.

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I would start about 1-2 months before graduation AND also leave a card or note at clinical sites with your name, email and contact information. Most of my classmates got jobs from previous clinical sites.

I would also add that you need to have a realistic understanding of how long it will take to go from graduation to full licensure and prescriptive understanding.

I am in Texas and it took 2-3 weeks after graduation to get transcripts, then about 8 weeks to get approval from ANCC to test (although you can speed that up with an extra "fee"); then you take the test and get your instant results but THEN it is at least 1-2 weeks before ANCC communicates your "pass" to the state board of nursing and THEN it took 2 more weeks for my license to be posted and another 5 days to get my prescriptive authority number and THEN another 4 weeks for the Texas Medical Board to post my registration with my consulting physician. WHEW...total time from graduation to starting work = 4 months!

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Then you have to take into consideration if you fail the test! Puts a whole new prospective on things!

That is why I was hesitant to apply or interview for prospective jobs. I was terrified of not passing and then having to tell the company "well it's going to be a little longer before I can work". Very devestating.

This is exactly what happened to me and it's very humiliating. Might as well tell them to look for someone else. It's very disheartening. Luckily, the company I applied for is willing to wait a little while longer, but they are not going to wait forever, so I'm under the gun to pass this time!

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

I think it all depends on where you live. In my area, all the job postings I viewed wanted cert. and license in hand already before they would even consider you.

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Sparkle... what area are you?

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

Anyone have any info on NYC? Others have said it has taken them over a year to find a NP job in NYC, but I wonder if it takes that long for a dream job, or just a job to get some experience (within reason, of course).

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Dixiecup, what review stuff did you use to study for the ANCC exam. I have heard Fitzgerald is the best but am leaning toward the ANCC stuff. How soon can you retake the test?

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Specializes in Emergency, MCCU, Surgical/ENT, Hep Trans.

Dixie brings a great point to the table. It took me about 6 months to get everything together. I've been a nurse for 20 years, have a great ED job already and know that no one will offer me much more than what I'm already making now anyway.

So, my approach was to have EVERYTHING in hand (a portfolio, if you will) loaded, leather BOUND with CV, and all supportive documents (LOR, licensure, certificates, DEA, NPI, A/BLS, CEN, TNCC, Diplomas, transcripts) and anything else I can think of to place in their hands THAT DAY. It took me a whole weekend to get all this together, and I had to go to two different places (Staples->Kinkos) before it was acceptable to my standards for distribution.

I got the job, day one. The administrator said he had NEVER seen such a piece of work in his life. Again, bring your entire career to them...put yourself in their hands...demonstrate your value, sell the product.

I really did not care what he paid me either. Your first job is not the one your going to retire from, its for experience, the first step on the NP ladder. I wish you the best. Go get'em!

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Dixie brings a great point to the table. It took me about 6 months to get everything together. I've been a nurse for 20 years, have a great ED job already and know that no one will offer me much more than what I'm already making now anyway.

So, my approach was to have EVERYTHING in hand (a portfolio, if you will) loaded, leather BOUND with CV, and all supportive documents (LOR, licensure, certificates, DEA, NPI, A/BLS, CEN, TNCC, Diplomas, transcripts) and anything else I can think of to place in their hands THAT DAY. It took me a whole weekend to get all this together, and I had to go to two different places (Staples->Kinkos) before it was acceptable to my standards for distribution.

I got the job, day one. The administrator said he had NEVER seen such a piece of work in his life. Again, bring your entire career to them...put yourself in their hands...demonstrate your value, sell the product.

I really did not care what he paid me either. Your first job is not the one your going to retire from, its for experience, the first step on the NP ladder. I wish you the best. Go get'em!

Great idea! did you already have an interview set up when you went with your portfolio? Did you submit an online application first, ect? or did you just go door to door looking for work?

Thanks.

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