When to Start Applying for Jobs?

If you are unsure from a job posting; email the recruiter and ask. Each hospital has different policies on it. However, I just graduated and found that most hospitals encourage you to apply during your last semester. I started applying in May; in fact just completed a job interview and accepted a position that I had initially applied for in late May. It can take a while for the whole process, they literally called me for an interview during my graduation ceremony. I hadn't heard in so long that I didn't even think I was in the running. So I wouldn't recommend waiting until you are licensed unless you have to.

Keep an eye out for "graduate nurse" positions on Indeed. I graduate in December as well and many of the hospitals in my area will be posting jobs for December graduates in the next 2-3 weeks.

I've applied to various places through Indeed.com. I had to wait until after I got my License #, which took about 10 days after the NCLEX-PN in NY. I'm sure you could always go to the hospital or where ever you want to apply, bring your resume and cover letter, and ask if you can fill out an application. That way you can give them your information. Just note on your resume that the license is pending.

Online applications may be trickier as sometimes they may require the license number. Also, it's probably safer to apply once than applying twice with the second application having your license number.

It's all a personal choice. I just graduated this past May and I knew there was going to be a good 7 or so schools graduating nurses all at the same time. In my opinion the early bird gets the worm. I didn't want to be stuck somewhere because I didn't apply early enough. I got into a new grad residency program. I have initially emailed the recruiter before Thanksgiving of last year. It took forever for them to get back to me. But I had my job offer and signed that following February. It worked and I left an impression, because I was the first application they got and they could tell I wanted the job. Some people wanted to focus on school and making sure they passed NCLEX first. I think for me having my offer in hand put a good stress on me to finish strong and pass my boards because I had a lot riding on it. However I do know people who got their job offers and accepted but then either failed their last semester and or failed NCLEX. It's a tough call. Best bet is to contact each hospital and seek their recommendations if you want an offer before school is over.

I graduated in May. I started applying for jobs in late February/early March. I know some people thought it was too early (too much pressure?) but I had a job set up before I even graduated. For me, at least, it put me at ease knowing where I was going after NCLEX...plus provided some motivation for studying!

The earlier the better for new grad positions. There will probably be fewer new grad positions in the winter since most people graduate in May. When I was a new grad (granted this was 10 years ago), I applied in January and interviewed, was offered and accepted a position by March.