When to apply for jobs?

Published

I hope some willing folks on this board would be willing to help me out with my questions

My questions are:

1 - When to apply for jobs as a new grad graduating this May?

1.1 - Now?

1.2 - After I pass the board and get my license?

2 - Should I apply for jobs that do not have new grad residency but just orientation?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

If you graduate in May, you truly should have started applying for the hospital new grad internship programs back in February. To make up for lost time, I would start applying for them as soon as possible.

If you do not desire hospital employment, you can go ahead and wait until you have a license before applying for jobs. Nursing homes, clinics, home health, hospice, and other workplaces outside the hospital typically do not have new grad training programs and will give you an orientation instead.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thx so much for taking your time out to reply. I found it very helpful. I was told by some friends that some hospital new grad programs are only for those who have already had the license. I in fact did apply to some programs but found it very ambiguous as many told me that some new grad programs only accept those who already have a license. So, I got rejected by some programs I thought I wasted my time and I'm not so sure whether I should continue applying for new grad programs. Maybe I should continue applying to new grad programs regardless. Again, thx so much for your comment.

If you graduate in May, you truly should have started applying for the hospital new grad internship programs back in February. To make up for lost time, I would start applying for them as soon as possible.

If you do not desire hospital employment, you can go ahead and wait until you have a license before applying for jobs. Nursing homes, clinics, home health, hospice, and other workplaces outside the hospital typically do not have new grad training programs and will give you an orientation instead.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in neurology, cardiology, ED.

It depends on what state you are in. In some states they will not hire you unless you are licensed already. Others will hire you with a permit to practice pending licensure, which you have to apply for. Research what the requirements are for your state.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-surg, ER, agency, rehab, oc health..

When I first graduated I started applying for jobs as soon as I graduated. I got one after 3 or 4 different interviews. Definately go with a preceptorship program as well as orientation. This will give you some groundwork and help you develope your legs so to speak. Some places offer student nurse positions in which you basically work as an aid until you pass your boards, and then start work as a nurse. This is not a bad gig either. Since the job market is somewhat tight you may have to sign a commitment to work for the hospital for 1-2 years, or pay a specified ammount of money. Check out hole in the wall hospitals such as critical access hospitals... many times they are hiring when other places aren't. Best of luck on your search!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

If you are looking to get into an internship program, I would start looking now. I know the one in my area is open to applicants this Monday, but the program dosn't start untill 4 months later.

Otherwise I would keep my eye on the activity in your area for job openings. I started applying to hospitals before I graduated, I wasn't really aggressive with the nursing homes.

Guess what happened, I didn't get hired in any hospital systems, and a lot of my friends got hired into nursing homes. By the time I gave up and started looking at SNFs and LTC the jobs were gone.

I did get hired doing home health (do not reccomend for a new grad) and finially in January I got a full time job at a SNF. In the meantime my friends who started working at SNFs back in July are now getting interviews and job offers in the hospital systems because they now have more than 6 months expereince.

You could always apply to LTC/SNF and if they hire you great and if you happen to get hired into an intership even better, but in the mean time you would be getting some experience

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I attended school and got my first license in Massachusetts, which does not have "Graduate Nurse" status; you can't work as a nurse until you pass your boards. I applied for out-of-state jobs as soon as I started my last semester, but I didn't apply for in-state jobs until I passed the NCLEX.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma ICU, Informatics.

1 - NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

1.1 - YES!!!!!!!!!!!

1.2 - BUT, OF COURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 - APPLY FOR ANYTHING AND ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But in your efforts in finding a job straight outta school, don't forget to do what it takes to graduate. I had friends that were so consumed with not finding a job, and can't pass their NCLEX. A few failed our last semester. So prioritize accordingly! Good Luck!

Here is a thread I had posted recently, with helpful tips!

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/i-got-job-532817.html

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thx so much for everything. so helpful :) I'm very thankful :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion