When??

Start applying immediately after you graduate and see if a hospital can hire you as a graduate nurse. They can take you on, but you have to pass your boards. Some students are still looking for a job months after passing NCLEX. Start getting your foot in the door now. If you work on a floor as a CNA, see if your manager is hiring. See what spots there are in the hospital.

Start applying BEFORE you graduate. I would 4-6 weeks. By the time you get called in for a first and them second interview,a month may have passed. We interview people all the time who are still in school.

I graduate in May and I interviewed and was hired last week! I will start work as a graduate nurse after my graduation date and then be moved up to RN pay after I pass NCLEX. Don't wait...get that job now before everyone gets out this summer. Good Luck!!!!

Start several months before graduation. I applied for jobs in January, interviewed in March and had a job offer, graduated in May, took NCLEX in June and started my job in September (by choice, July was an option) of the year I graduated. With an August graduation, I wouldn't wait much longer before you start applying.