When did you start working?

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Specializes in L&D all the way baby!.

For the new grads out there.. Atwhat point did you start working after finishing school (as a nurse that is)? Did you get a job before school was over and work on an IP? Did you wait until after your boards to even try to find a job? Or did you take some time off?

My husband and I are in debate in this issue... He thinks I ought to start working ASAP (like as soon as someone would hire me)... I'm not sure if it's better to wait until after you have taken boards or not? I want to work in L&D and there are always limited openings in this department ( I plan to go for my CNM). What are your thoughts?

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Specializes in Med/Surge.

Hi Joni-

I grad. May 13th then took 2 weeks off to just unwind and gear up for NCLEX (last tuesday) and then started work yesterday. I would definately look for a job before graduation b/c alot of the IP fill up and you want to get your foot in the door. But, they might have recruitment 2x year if you wanted a little time off b/f working. I unfortunately didn't have the option of waiting too long b/c I got a day time position (held for me b/c I was a previous employee) and the fact that I haven't worked for 2 years and dh hours cut back at work some so I needed the cash.

The reason that I didn't work b/f passing boards was b/c I wanted to make sure that I had ample amount of time to study and answer the recommended 3000 questions and I wouldn't have been able to do that if I had worked while studying.

Hope this helps you some. You really will need time to kind of rest in b/t school and work but it is a totally personal decision that you have to make.

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Hi! Well I started looking for jobs a little before spring break of my senior year and actually applied during spring break. I had a job that week. The hospital said that their new grad positions fill up soon after spring break. I took the NCLEX last week (& passed!!). My new job started yesterday. So it is definitely a good idea to get a job before graduating, in my opinion. Especially if you want L&D. If you have a certain place you want to work, I would let them know that you are very interested as soon as possible!! Even if you have a year left!! The sooner the better! :) Just look at all your possibilities. I'm sure it is possible to not find a job before graduation too. But you might have a better selection to choose from before. Good luck!!

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Specializes in L&D all the way baby!.

Thanks guys for your input! I DO want a job in L&D so that was helpful advice. I am going to go to midwifery school and they require it, so, off the subject entirely, I am going to become a doula now to hopefully give me a leg up on that and I hope to maybe get a job as a student nurse so that I am already an employee at the hospital. Maybe that would put me in the running. As it stands now there are usually only one or two openings in L&D in all the hospitals in the area and I have four semesters until it's my turn to be looking!!! Those are scary odds!

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Well Joni, back in the old days, 1971 I started working a week after my graduation. That, of course, was after taking off a week from my old position, as an LPN. And I had to wait until July to take a two day state board. Take a week or two off and then go job hunting. Good luck. I know some speciality units are hiring new grads but I do not know which ones.

Grannynurse :balloons:

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