When did you apply?

mandrews · Sep 12, 2005

This seems like the right place to post this question. How far in advance do potential new graduates start applying for jobs before graduation? I have heard anywhere from a month up to three.
I will be looking for those new graduate critical care programs when my time comes. I am thinking it will be competitive, and best to apply on the early end.

I started applying about a month before graduation and was highered about 3 weeks before I graduated. It took about another month before I got my temporary license. Graduated during Christmas Holidays and New Years.

grinnurse, RN · Sep 12, 2005

I graduated in May 05 and started applying the first part of March. Interviewed over spring break and was offered positions by 2 different hospitals but ended up staying in familiar territory of where I had worked prior to Nursing School. Great idea to apply early b/c the good positions go first

Good luck finishing up school.

renerian, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2005

I loved the floor I did my clinicals on and they approached me about interviewing before I was even done. I had a job immediately. If you like that unit might want to approach the unit manager.

renerian

ORSmurf · Sep 12, 2005

I think I started applying in March (I graduated in May). I had several job offers and ended up staying where I had been working as an LVN. I would suggest that you get offers in writing if at all possible. I was very dissappointed to find out that some of the details of what had been promised to me were misleading regarding the job I settled on... I can be too trusting.

Good luck to you!

Christine

This seems like the right place to post this question. How far in advance do potential new graduates start applying for jobs before graduation? I have heard anywhere from a month up to three.
I will be looking for those new graduate critical care programs when my time comes. I am thinking it will be competitive, and best to apply on the early end.

vampireslayer · Sep 12, 2005

I applied in March, graduated in May. But there were people in my class interviewing already in January! And they were told that they'd filled the last of only a few positions those hospitals had, so it really depends on where you're interviewing and how many spots they have available.

I think most people in my class had job offers by March, most of the interviews were late Feb/early March. It seemed early initially, but we ended up hearing many many stories of people being told, by March, that the internships that were starting in June were already full.

VS

rach_nc_03 · Sep 13, 2005

I work in peds critical care as a new grad. I knew this was where I wanted to work, so I did a shadow day in december, then applied on january 1st, and had my offer letter by my birthday in february.

In this area, most of the critical care positions for new grads were taken by the end of february. people applying later than that usually ended up in thier 3rd or 4th pick job, or assigned to something they didn't really want.

I personally recommend doing things as early as possible, especially if you want to do critical care. Also, I highly recommend shadowing for a day on the unit you're most interested in. I was picking between NICU and PICU, and my day in the PICU really made the decision much easier.

Good luck!!