It’s actually pretty darn hard to get a hospital nursing job right after you pass you boards. The best opportunity you get is typically during your last term when you work independently with a preceptor to showcase your skills. Many of my classmates passed their exam within a month of graduation and were able to reconnect with their clinical instructors for a position. The clinical instructors like to refer their own previous students for jobs because they can send nursing students to train with them during clinical hours.
The point is to take your clinical hours seriously because the nurses are watching and taking notes. Try to keep your cell phone in your locker or pocket the whole session (besides breaks) and pay attention to to your patients’ needs. The hours are long and burdensome but will definitely be worth your while when you’re on your own.
