working as GN vs. waiting to your RN license

[justchill]

I'm about to graduate in July and the search-for-a-job frenzy is beginning. I'm also going to attend another college in the fall so I can work on my bachelor's degree so I only want to work part-time. Also, I would feel move confident working with my license than as a GN.

My question is basically, will it look bad to HR or a nursing manager that I waited to get my license?

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Either way won't look bad. There are enough people who choose either option (and let's face it, there just aren't enough GN positions for everyone) that your choice won't even be noticed.

A couple things to keep in mind:

1. There are a limited number of positions for new graduates. Applying for them as early as you can will give you the best shot of getting hired.

2. Data shows that students who take the NCLEX soon after school do better than those who wait to take it. So whether you apply for GN jobs or not, don't wait too long to take it.

3. Working as a GN can actually help you study for NCLEX. You'll learn more about assessments, disease processes, communication, medications, procedures, nursing skills, leadership, and delegation if you're actually practicing.

[justchill, BSN, RN]

I understand your points. I'm not planning on taking a gap between graduating and taking NCLEX. I want to do that as soon as I can while it's fresh in my mind. I just want to be able to walk on to a job a little bit more confident than I would be if I didn't have the license on me.

[Guest 360983]

In my town, if you didn't apply for the spring or fall internships and start on their timetables, it was very difficult to find a job. Some of my friends decided not to apply during our last semester because they wanted to focus on school and passing the NCLEX first, but they had a difficult time finding a job. I graduated in December and started at the very end of January; I was lucky enough to have an NCLEX date right before starting work.

[justchill, BSN, RN]

We don't have many internships in my area but I live in a large metropoliatian area in Southeast Pa with many hospitals so I'm not very worried about the aspect of job availabilty; I just more concerned about the norm of the process since I felt pressued to get a GN job.

[Guest 360983]

One of my best friends relocated halfway across the country from your city (where she attended a very well known University) because the job situation was pretty bad a few years ago. I hope it's gotten better.

[1018rn]

I waited, and had no trouble finding a job. I think as long as you take your boards in a timely fashion, you should be fine. Good luck!

[moonriseRN]

Good luck on your boards! I'm taking mine in a few weeks and data shows that you should take it within 3 months for the best results while everything is still fresh in your mind from school. I've also applied for a RN-BSN program (still waiting for reply) and have started the job search but stopped because no one in my state will even consider me unless I have my license. Apparently that is the trend here since there are not as many job openings.

[ilovensg]

May I ask what state you are from plumsicle4? Graduating without a job makes it extremely difficult to get one. Who knew? Thanks!

[moonriseRN]

Hi ilovensg - I am in NY. Everyone seems to want min. 1 year of experience :) I have since passed my boards and got accepted into my RN-BSN program of choice.

[Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN]

I didn't read all of the replies. Most facilities in my area do not hire graduate nurses, unless they are already employed by the facility in another job function (ie CNA/Lab Tech). There have been many instances of hiring GNs & them failing the NCLEX once or even twice. This costs the facility mucho dinero. This has been pretty recent, so they are really sticking to only hiring new colleagues once they are licensed. Good Luck with your NCLEX!

[ilovensg]

Congrats plumsicle4!!!!