When to apply as a GN?

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Hello All!

Brand new to the boards, so I'm sure this has been asked before but maybe someone can give a little insight for me.

On January 12th, 2011 I will finish the RN program at my college.

However, we don't officially walk the stage until February 13th, 2011 because we graduate all together in one big ceremony with the LVN students but they don't finish until a few weeks after us.

With that being said, when can I start applying for GN jobs? It would make sense that I have to wait until I officially graduate on Feb 13th before I can be considered a GN, and that I just kind of have a month off for study for the NCLEX while we wait for the LVN's. Is this correct? And then basically I work as a GN from Feb 13th until I take and pass my nclex?

If anyone can kinda help me with that or just make sure I've got the right idea I would really appreciate it. Thank you in advance! :)

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I would start applying now, if now a couple of months ago.

My pinning ceremony was a month after we finished, but I was still a graduate the last day of the program. I would find out when your degree is actually granted- it might not line up with the ceremony.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Yes. Start applying now. Begin the process. Simply include your expected date of graduation in your communications with them.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

You should start applying.... like yesterday :-)

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

AFAIK you become a GN the minute you complete the last class of your nursing program. Our school had students who graduated over the summer and fall; they took the NCLEX and started applying for jobs right away. Some were even working as RNs before they had their pinning/graduation in the winter. You don't need to wait until graduation to get the ball rolling on your job search. Get your application and transcript into your BON as soon as you finish that last class: as long as your transcript shows that you've completed the requirements for the nursing degree, you are fine; graduation is just a ceremony. However, it never hurts to double-check with your state's BON just in case they do things differently than mine :)

Congratulations!

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