When to apply for jobs?

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi everyone :)

I graduate this upcoming year, and I'm getting pretty nervous about finding a position in this economy. I do have CNA experience, a pretty good GPA, and will have a BSN.... but it seems like that is a far cry from any sort of promise of a job lately. When do you recommend applying to hospitals and LTC facilities? I want to start as early as possible, since I'm getting the feeling there are going to be months of rejection letters in store....:/

Thanks all!

Devin L, SNUP

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I graduate in December. I had my first interview today for an internship that starts in January. I applied about a month ago.

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I dont graduate until may 2013 lol. Im F1 (still an infant) I just got hired today (!) at an assisted living facility as a Client Companion (all nurses aid duties) with this position when I graduate I can jump over new applicants to an RN position or even be transfered straight to the hospital that this facility has a contract with as a floor nurse. So for 2 years ill be making very little money and working two days a week for the assurance that as soon as I pass the NCLEX Ill have an RN position waiting for me. Not a bad deal in my opinion.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
I dont graduate until may 2013 lol. Im F1 (still an infant) I just got hired today (!) at an assisted living facility as a Client Companion (all nurses aid duties) with this position when I graduate I can jump over new applicants to an RN position or even be transfered straight to the hospital that this facility has a contract with as a floor nurse. So for 2 years ill be making very little money and working two days a week for the assurance that as soon as I pass the NCLEX Ill have an RN position waiting for me. Not a bad deal in my opinion.

Very good deal as long as they keep it. I had the same type of deal where I am working. They have decided they are hiring only two new grads. Over ten of us had this "deal". We get to compete with one another for the two spots. The remaining 8 are without jobs.

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go on ormc's website and in the search box type in graduate nurse..something like that. looks like they have a lot of positions open more at south seminole.

i think fl. hospital has a program too but i havent heard anything positive about that hospital..but im only getting secondhand info ya know.

Thanks! I found it and called the lady! Do you live in Florida? Mayo clinic up here in jax supposedly has a program too.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.
Thanks! I found it and called the lady! Do you live in Florida? Mayo clinic up here in jax supposedly has a program too.

Im going to school in IL, from Miami...~

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I graduate in May. One of the nurses in my clinical rotation spoke with us students and said we should get the ball rolling and start applying now. Or at the very least, begin resumés and cover letters.

It's good to have a section on the resumé for clinical experiences you have done. Sometimes certain clinical rotations you have done might put you higher on the list over other applicants.

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Wow having a BSN is a major plus in my area. Thats all employers want in my area -__-, RNs with BNS. Theyre rejecting those with an associates. I dont think you should have a problem, just apply everywhere.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.
Wow having a BSN is a major plus in my area. Thats all employers want in my area -__-, RNs with BNS. Theyre rejecting those with an associates. I dont think you should have a problem, just apply everywhere.

if you notice any of the hospitals you apply to have "magnet status",...from what i understand to obtain that its based on the education of your nursing staff...these hospitals tend to seek out the BSN's and recruit them more agressively over the ADN's. ADNs may still be hired but they probably should have experience to remain competative.

*ill have a BSN weeeee:yeah:

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AFter reading this thread, i have decided to work on my resume and start applying.

Thank you for your help.

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Specializes in Oncology.
I graduate in May, and have already started apply just to get the ball rolling (& its pretty cool to start applying for RN positions :)), I have been looking at places with nurse residency programs which are helpful too.

One RN recruiter called me back and said that i should start applying the begining of my last semester, which would be jan, thats the best advice i can give right now.

also if possible, start working on ur resume & cover letter.. :)

I have also started applying as of today because of some advice for my non-nursing cousin. I thought that this time was tooooo early and I mentioned starting in March to her. She said start NOW. So, I started. Have you heard ANYTHING yet? I'm already discouraging myself, which is sad. I read ALLL these posts about the economy and I'm scared. I wanna start and get a leg up ASAP. I guess it couldn't hurt. I just want my rejections and offers out of the way! People say take a break, but I'm scared that I will take a break, and there will be no jobs!! I really wanna get my life started! Congrats to us! May 2012 graduates!

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