The Lamplight at the End of the Tunnel: What Happens After I Graduate from Nursing School? 

Congratulations!  
If you are reading this article, our guess is that your graduation from nursing school is coming up! You’ve worked hard, studied harder and can taste the promise of what’s to come. 

Or maybe you are just starting your degree. Either way, knowing what to expect after graduation will give you time to study, network, and plan for your career in health care.  

10 Steps to launching your nursing career after graduation 
Step 1: Apply for licensure with your state’s Board of Nursing 
In order to be eligible to take The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exam, you’ll need to register with your state’s Board of Nursing. 
 
Step 2: Register for the NCLEX exam 
Passing the NCLEX is a requirement for the licensing of nurses in the United States.  
For more information check out “Taking the NCLEX in 2022 and what you need to know to get started.” 
 
Step 3: Study 
You can study alone, practice with a friend group or sign up for an NCLEX review course. There are several types of review courses offered online or in-person.  
Review courses can be focused on strategy or content, so be sure to pick the best class for you. 
 
Step 4: Network 
In many scenarios, an aid to success relies on who you know. But don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. 
You’re in nursing school! Take the opportunity to talk to healthcare educators and other nursing students while you are there.  
The world is smaller than you think! 
 
Step 5: Ask for letters of recommendation 
This step is optional, but can give you a real edge during your job search. Employers generally ask for letters of recommendation to get a sense of who job applicants are outside of their resumes. 
Recommendation letters from credible references will tell employers about your unique abilities and strengths. An enthusiastic letter of recommendation can even compensate for lack of experience in some cases. 
 
Note: If you followed Step 4, you have already been in contact with numerous healthcare professionals already. 
 
Step 6: Start applying for nursing jobs 
It may seem odd to apply for a nursing job before you have your license, but the hiring process takes time. Plus, after graduation there will be tons of other new nurses applying and competing for work. Consider applying for jobs 3-4 months prior to graduation. 
 
You can get an easy head start by creating a profile at EZhealthcarejobbs.com. Upload your resume, talk about your strengths, and tell the world why you chose to become a nurse! 
 
Step 7: Prepare for your nursing job interviews 
Want to increase your chances of landing the best opportunity after you graduate from nursing school? EZhealthcarejobs.com has tips for excelling at your next interview. 
 
Step 8: Consider getting additional nursing certifications 
After you graduate from nursing school and find out that you passed NCLEX, you are free to begin work as a registered nurse. While you can apply for jobs and go to work without any additional training, you can opt to take a specialty certification course if you have a preference for a specific patient population or work environment.  
 
Many hospitals and larger healthcare facilities offer formalized Nurse Residency programs which include hands-on learning based on clinical topics. 
 
Step 9: Celebrate 
You’ve come a long way! What an accomplishment! 
 
Step 10: Practice consistent self-care 
As American nurse theorist and nursing professor, Jean Watson said, “Nurses are a unique kind. They have this insatiable need to care for others, which is both their greatest strength and fatal flaw.”  
Nursing is not for the faint hearted. You will encounter long hours, distressing situations, and gut-wrenching conversations. Paying attention to your own physical and emotional health will enable you to provide compassion and empathy to improve the quality of care for your patients. 
 
Frequently Asked Questions 
Do nurses need to be licensed before applying for jobs? 
The short answer is no, you do not need a nursing license to apply for nursing positions. Some states permit graduates to work while they pursue licensure and take the NCLEX. 
 
When do nursing school graduates take the NCLEX exam? 

While employers may hire nursing graduates before they pass the NCLEX, hospitals often give graduates a deadline to take the exam. 

 
Are you a future nurse? Create a profile at EZhealthcarejobs.com and tell employers why you are a star applicant! 
 

#nursingstudent #nursingstudents #nursingstudentproblems #nursingstudentlife #lifeofanursingstudent #futurenursingstudent 
 
Sources: 
• https://nurseguidance.com/what... 
• https://www.registerednursing.... 
• https://www.nursingprocess.org... 
• https://nursejournal.org/resou...