When should I start applying?

srg4784 · Jan 22, 2008

Also I've noticed that a lot of new grads get hired as RNs before they even take their NCLEX...how is this possible? They pass meds/do procedures and aren't even licensed yet?

NoWaNrN, ASN, RN · Jan 22, 2008

I live in Ohio and they said apply for jobs at the begining of your last semester. I kinda played around with putting in a few resumes but some places said they didn't do any thing untill you had your RN so I didn't understand why the school was saying put in your resumes now. Well long story short it takes HR for ever to process your info! I had to wait like a month to get an interview from a larger hospital (got the job). I have noticed that some places will do phone interviews in situations like your if your relocating. It is just frustrating once you pass boards you think things will go by so fast and get right into a job, the holidays probably held up my process with christmas and new years in all. But good luck.

rollie · Jan 22, 2008

I work at Emory in Atlanta and they'll hire you before you're licensed but only as a nurse extern (which is essentially the same thing as a nursing asst.) You can not pass meds here, etc. without a license.

NurseBunky · Jan 27, 2008

Hello, I plan on relocating to ATL (kennesaw) in Aug upon Aug 08 ADN graduation and I would like to have a job when I move...so....when is should I start applying. Would hospitals interview me early on, say months before I even graduate? Regardless of getting a job before I move, I'm still going to move I just hope I don't get myself stuck moving with no job and having to wait awhile after moving to get one since I will have no experience other than extern work. Thanks!!

As far as I know hospitals like Piedmont, Northside, all 3 children's hospitals will hire you before you take boards as a nurse extern/tech until you take boards and then they just orient you into your nursing role! Apply to different ones and see what they say! Definitely start now so you get a heads up on all the other new grads needing jobs!! Good luck and congradulations!!

P.S Northside pays well and are very short of nurses but the benefits are not good versus children's healthcare of atlanta's benefits are great but the pay is lacking!!

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 27, 2008

It's always best to call the hospitals that interest you and ask them what THEY prefer you do. Some hospitals only hire new grads in certain months of the year and you wouldn't want to miss a great opportunity because you waited a month too long to apply. Some places may want you to wait until after you graduate. Others have their best positions filled 2 or 3 months in advance, etc.

Another factor is that different states have different laws about new grads who have not yet passed boards. In my state, such a person can work (and be paid) as an RN for 30 days. Hospitals hire those folks on condition that they have a date to pass the boards within that 30-day window. They start their orientation as an RN -- taking classes and working on the unit with a preceptor, who must co-sign their meds, etc. If they pass boards within that 30 days, no problem. If they fail the exam, they must switch into a nursing assistant role.

Bottom line: The only way you will know the right time to apply is to talk with the hospitals that interest you and ASK THEM what their prefered timetable is. Then, apply at the very beginning (or slightly earlier) than that timetable.