Background: Nursing students’ perceptions and preparedness can impact their ability and motivation to engage with graduate program application processes. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore nursing students’ perceptions about their preparedness/work readiness for the graduate process and to identify barriers and enablers which may inform education processes.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews, underpinned by the Theory of Planned Behaviour, were undertaken with third-year students enrolled in a Bachelor of Nursing course in 2018. Data was recorded and transcribed before inductive thematic analysis was performed.

Findings: Three themes were found to impact student perceptions of and preparedness for the graduate program: (i) Standing out from the crowd, (ii) Preparedness for the application process, and (iii) Applying; considering strategic, desirable and personal factors.

Discussion: Student perceptions were primarily affected by the self-evaluation of their ability to “stand out” in a competitive graduate environment. Student preparedness appears as a deficit as they have not considered what an employer wants from potential employees.

Conclusion: The findings have implications for students, higher education providers, and employers, begging the question, who is responsible for students being prepared for the graduate recruitment process?