When should I start looking?

If you are wanting to be hired into a new grad program in an acute care hospital setting, the application period for December new grads typically opens up in late September or early October. These new grad programs typically do not require you to have passed NCLEX or be licensed at the time you submit your application.

Thanks for your response, TheCommuter!

I want to work in the neonatal intensive care unit, and I haven't seen any new graduate residencies for the NICU (but a nice amount of jobs). Should I just start applying to the jobs in September/October?

Simple...ASAP!!! Do not listen to the "wait to apply.." hype/propaganda. ..I graduated in May with a job started the day after I graduated...BECAUSE...I started applying/getting my foot in the door 6 months earlier...that's how you do it! All that waiting will do for you is put you behind...don't ever forget. ..Hospitals(medical care in general) is a 24/7/365 perpetual machine...what fuels that machine? Bodies...don't end up in the back of the line...be bold!

And by the way...guess what the people that "waited" are doing now....waiting still!

I wouldn't wait either. Get applying as soon as you start to see openings. You might not get that NICU new grad spot if the don't offer it so try for things that could transfer some relatable skills like Peds or ICU. Congrats at reaching this point & good luck!

It depends where you live. Here, you cannot apply without a license number unless you are applying to a new grad residency program. I know in some areas people get jobs with nclex results pending, but that simply does not happen here. Do some research about the area you live in and see how they do it around you.

Thanks everyone! It just seems so early as Wednesday is my first day of my last semester. It is crazy!

I have applied to numerous new grad residencies in NICU. Several were posted as "New Grad Residency- NICU" and others were new grad residencies with NICU as one of the placements. Go to indeed.com and type in "new grad residency" and some of the programs will list the available depatments for the residencies.

Here is one I applied to https://hca.taleo.net/careersection/0hca/jobdetail.ftl?job=1631239&src=JB-11444

If you want to get into NICU, any chance you can precept there? There are new grad positions posted occasionally. Keep your eye out, as sometimes new grad postings go up and down in a matter of hours. Network, network, network!! I had an offer in postpartum in March (graduated in May), but it was rescinded due to hospital politics (lots of us got screwed over, sadly). I was still applying elsewhere at that point, which is good, and it helped me to have a good sense of what the job market was really like when I graduated. Start researching new grad programs in your area/state, and find out how soon you can apply for the NCLEX (here in CA, I believe it's 60 days prior to graduation).

Good luck with your final semester!!

@Don,

The hospital's NICU I want to work at doesn't offer new grad residencies, but they do hire a lot of new grads. But I will definitely keep my eye out for NICU residencies. Thanks!

@RunBabyRN,

I did sign up for a preceptorship in the NICU for my last semester. I am waiting to hear back from my instructors regarding preceptor placements. Hopefully I get it! Thanks!