When to send out job applications?

I will be graduating from nursing school next May and I was wondering if I should start sending out job applications right after graduation or do I need to wait until after I take the NCLEX and have my license? I didn't know if prospective employers might ignore my application if I haven't taken the NCLEX yet...
I guess it depends on where you're from? In my experience, most of the hospitals have intership programs that they offer to new graduates- they hire the last sememster of nursing school and start the month following graduation (December or June), and you're able to work as a graduate nurse while waiting to take the NCLEX.