When do I start applying?

Now. I was a December grad and my first interviews were in September. However, I don't advise locking yourself into "I don't want to start until September." It's so easy for us to get rusty! Plus a lot of facilities will hire graduate nurses (mine hired me at the pay rate for RNs before I took my exam).

Hi, newnurse! I agree with LadyLeopard on this--it's best to look at new grad positions now, look at their timelines and then prepare yourself for it. I graduated November last year and didn't start looking until October, and I thought that was already too late (missed out on so many applications!). While I've heard some hospitals do take graduate nurses/those with interim permits, the hospitals in my area as far as I know take only those with an RN license BUT soon-to-graduate nurses and those who already have an NCLEX date are free to apply.

It seems like most of the new grad nurse residencies start in August/September and the applications go up in March/April so I would definitely start looking now and marking on your calendar when the due dates are in March to keep track if you're applying to multiple positions. Keep in mind a lot of the programs require recommendations so it would help to see what the applications require so you can stay ahead of the game! Also...this may only be in some states but it seems very early to get a test date the first week of July when you're graduating in June. It takes some time for your school to send verification of graduation to the BON so that you can sit for your boards. For example, a lot of May grads get test dates in mid-July because they fill up super quick. It may not be the case and you'd still have plenty of time, but just a heads up!