When should you start applying?

CrunchyMama, ASN, RN · Mar 3, 2011

Around here you have to be an RN already before applying. But I do know of some people who were hired before graduation, so it is possible. Since we graduate in May, I guess now would be a good time to start. Good luck!

shaps926 · Mar 3, 2011

I guess my thoughts were - its March, I probably wont get a callback like TOMORROW and then I figured that by the time they interview & make a decision it may be close to may and then I plan to take my NCLEX... I know I have heard of people being hired on a contingency that they pass their NCLEX... so I dont know.. I just want to try to be as PRO active as possible. I do have 3 years experience in the medical field and I am hoping that this helps me.... (somewhat) !

CBsMommy · Mar 3, 2011

I don't graduate until December and I've already started applying. I was offered an externship position where I will be trained with new grad nurses and then when I pass my NCLEX, the hospital will put me right into a RN position. I start my paid externship position in 2 weeks!!! I guess it's never too early!

solneeshka, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2011

It really depends on how it's done in your area and at the facilities that you are interested in. This kind of question would be a great way for you to get in contact with people in HR in hospitals in your area. Call, let them know you're graduating soon, and ask them when would be an appropriate time to start applying. Do what you can to make it into a more full conversation with them so that they get to know you a little bit and like you. That way, when you do apply (and it almost certainly is not too soon), they will already know who you are. That makes a world of difference in this economy. Good luck!

Rednights · Mar 4, 2011

Internship programs ... now

For anything elese ... now ... it doesn't hurt ... you'll just get "come back when you have your license" if they don't accept students .. depends which area of the country you're in.

UVA Grad Nursing · Mar 4, 2011

Definitely ask around, and each hospital has their own schedule.

One hospital in my town started interviewing the May and August grads in January, and filled their Peds & L&D new grad spaces for the year in February. The other hospital in town is interviewing BSN grads three months before their graduation, but will not interview the ADN grads until they've passed NCLEx.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 4, 2011

I had a job 4 weeks before graduation. Put my app out around this time.

Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP · Mar 4, 2011

The hospital we do clinicals at let us start applying last week. I got my job offer yesterday (can't start until after boards though). My process was a lot faster though because I'll be an RN on the same floor I'm a tech on, so my boss already knew she wanted to hire me. I've got 2 months of school left. The sooner you can start applying, the better!

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Mar 4, 2011

The facilities here don't want us to apply until we have our RN lic. Bummer! On a good note though our Head of our program has made it so we will get our transcripts within days of graduating. It's done that way for nursing students. So we will hopefully get to take our boards and start applying for jobs a couple weeks ahead of the other graduating classes.

REGINAMOVE · Mar 5, 2011

This was all very helpful. I have 6 years L+D experience as a birth assistant and am desperate for a RN position in L+D, days would be nice , but doubtful. I live and go to school in Brooklyn... I have 11 weeks left till graduation!!