When to apply?

I would start talking to nurse managers on whatever floor you work on and give them your resume asap. No need to wait if they already know you.

I don't think Feb. is too early. It gets your name out there at least. I say go for it!

yes go for it, I already have a position at my current place of employment lined up and I graduate in May...good luck to you and CONGRATS!!

I graduated in january 2010 and no one will even consider me without passing the NCLEX and being actually licensed. You can't even apply for the NCLEX until your school sends your transcripts to the state for review. Then the state sends you info on testing then you pick a date and test. all that takes 4-10 weeks AFTER you graduate! Graduating in June means you probably won't be licensed until the end of August at best. No sense applying now.

There's nothing to stop you from applying but be certain that you meet the posted requirements of the job. More and more places are limiting applicants to only a certain number of applications because they're getting inundated.

Here in Northern California, the word was that nobody was even looking at students or IPs... only fully licensed new grads.

You can apply all you want but it seems to be fairly rare these days that folks are being hired before graduation.

Where I live (East TN). All the hospitals have hired their new grad/interns by April. We are required to apply in late Jan-Feb. Hope this helps.