When to start applying for first NP job?

Off hand, the most important thing now is networking. If you have a strong state nursing organization, join them and attend as many functions as possible. Also keep an eye out for your own contacts who may be hiring.

The problem in your shoes is many places don't want to even touch your application until the degree is done and in some cases your boards are passed. It certainly doesn't hurt to get the application process rolling though. I would make sure your resume is ready and hit all of the big websites like indeed.com and LinkedIn to ensure your information is up to date.

From my experience, networking now is great, but there is not really any point in applying for actual jobs until you have passed the boards and have your license. Facilities want people who can start straight away, and even with a license in hand credentialling can take 3-4 months for large hospitals. A lot will even request that you have your DEA card in hand as well- which requires your license and NPI # and another 4-6 week wait.

I started a month before I graduated. I had license within 2 weeks, my NPI number within 24 hours and my DEA number in a week. Licensing and DEA number depends on the the state that you reside in.

Thanks for all of the great replies! My school sets up clinical sites for me, and unfortunately none of them have been in primary care (where I really want to work). I understand that I may have to work in other areas first before landing my dream job. I have kept in contact with all of my preceptors, and they have all said that I can use them as a reference. I will definitely keep them in mind while looking for job opportunities!

A lot of NP's that land jobs prior to graduating do so because they already have a good network (usually due to their nursing experience), or have been offered to stay on at a clinical site.

An advantage of being an FNP is that jobs are clinic based and usually don't require credentialing like a hospital, so if you test soon after graduation (I did 2 days after finishing), you can work pretty quickly. I graduated in December and was working in the end of January. With that in mind, I tell all my orientees that I am precepting to start applying a couple of months prior to graduating if they already don't have something lined up. Many openings will say they hire new grads, so it's worth a shot.

Most employers are used to having to wait a while for providers since contracts often require lengthy notices, and if it's inpatient, a long time to get access to work in the hospital. In my current inpatient position, I got a firm offer in June and didn't start until November. That's with me already have the appropriate licenses lined up before I applied.