When should I start looking for a job?

minday83 · Jun 23, 2012

I just started my courses and already they have us tweeking our resumes, getting a LinkdIN, and sending us to job fairs. I live in Raleigh, NC and there is alot of competition for nursing jobs here. It won't hurt to start seeing whats out there now.

NurseHopefulInOH · Jun 24, 2012

I dont know how in demand LPN's are where you live but here they won't even look at your resume before you have a license in hand. I have a few classmates who got rejected and basically said come back when u have a license. My old job (LTC) they would get 16+ resumes a week just new grads and our DON didn't even look at half. It's sad but she really didn't have time. The only way I would say to go ahead and actually send in resumes out is if you are wanting to work as an aid for a while but that can be a gamble if they will have a nurse position for u when you graduate. Def start looking and see who is hiring and what's available though. good luck!

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2012

I agree that it doesn't hurt to start networking & getting your resume tweaked. But in most places, it's not worth it to apply until after you passed the NCLEX.

SNmurse · Jun 26, 2012

As the others said, it depends on the job market, but I can offer this.

I'm an SPN about to graduate in August, and I applied for at a Nursing home a few weeks ago and got hired on the spot (though, I do have rapport with this facility as my mother has been there for 10 years and I was a CNA there for 2 years.)

We were recommended by our Instructors to start applying 2-3 months prior to graduation because there is the competition amongst your classmates as well as the Nurses in the community. Good luck with the hunt!