Why do all the new grad programs start before we are even done with school??

Yes, I also found out that it is expected of you to start looking for jobs well before you graduate. I'm talking like as soon as you pass your 2nd to last or start your last semester. No idea why it is that way. I'd definitely apply to the internships for April. I grad may 08 and in July was told the next session would open in Nov for Jan. I declined, and thus had no job. One in the hand is better than none. Apply @ the end of the year, keep looking for jobs in the meanwhile, and if you don't have a job by April and they offer one, accept it. April will be here before you know it. There are some facilities that are opening up additional classes in Sept/Oct; there may be some in your area. Call hr and ask.

thank you for the response. I think my school should've given us the heads up a bit. I was totally under the impression that I should wait until my license was in hand to apply. I just think finishing in june, getting my license end of july and no job till april seems SOOO far away. but nothing else i can do but keep searching and keep hopes up! THanks for the help again.

I was too. Then I found out it was more like 80% wanted you to apply before graduation, and 20% wanted an RN license (not even GN)!

I am from WI and started contacting hospital systems all over SoCal about RN new grad programs for beginning of 2011 (I graduate this December :))))) and most told me to start looking and applying in about a month when there are new grad programs posted....my school definitely never let us know about the need to apply for GN slots at beginning of your 4th semester but I figured with the amount of applicants I was going to have to early anyways. Good luck!

yup, thats how it is these days. I graduated May 2009, applied for jobs starting in Dec 2008, interviewed and accepted a job in Jan 2009 that didnt start until August 2009. My classmates thought I was out of my mind but then I was the one with the job and some of them are still struggling a year later to get a job. My school did tell us to start applying during our second semester though, schools should definitely be on top of that

I don't know why they do this but it's very frustrating. I live in central ohio and contacted ohio health (the major employer here) and their next internship program doesn't begin until January!!