Hello, I am new here. I graduated as an LPN over a year ago and have not worked as a nurse yet. I got pregnant before I even took state boards and decided not to stress myself out, so I stayed home and had a wonderful pregnancy. My daughter is 5 months old and I am ready to go to work now, I think! I have tried to keep up with things,read my journals, old nursing books and such but feel like I forgot everything! I am totally lost at what I should do first. I am slowly working on a resume, but am having trouble with that. I feel I should start in a nursing home to get the feel of things again, but I am having major anxiety when I think about the interview. I just don't feel qualified enough anymore. If anyone out there can give me some tips I would really appreciate it. I'm really excited about this but somethings holding me back. Thanks!!!

You did not graduate as an LPN. The "L" must be earned via passing the NCLEX-PN. I suggest you first prepare for and pass your state boards. I doubt any employer would consider hiring a GPN more than one year after graduation.

Here in PA a Temporary Practice Permit is good for one year or until the results of your NCLEX-PN exam are known.

One year isn't that long ago! Just make sure you get a good orientation! Work where you want to, not where you feel like you HAVE to. Also... LTC is not easy!!! You would have 30+ residents to medicate, do treatments on, charting on, and charge duties! Did you take your boards yet?

I know a nurse who graduated 8 years ago, yes, 8 YEARS ago!! She recently started studying (by herself), took NCLEX and passed. She was never a hospital employee/or worked in the medical field after graduating nursing school. She is now in a graduate nurse internship w/a major hospital in Tampa. She appears to be confident, (I've not really worked with her), but she appears to be doing well. So, it's possible........

i took the rn boards about 2 years after i graduated and passed. just picked up a nclex book and relearnd everything, every detail. took about 3 months of studying. think i studied to much but, made the test seem real easy. and upon entering the work place i studied all routine procedures and meds on that particular floor and i found that, that made me well perpared and ready to focus on how to best care for my patients needs. so when i was asked about this med or procedure i gained a lot of confidence cause i had the right answer. then it just become a matter of doing things, was up on the what and why, got lots support while i was figuring out the how and when part of doing things.

Sorry, I know I did not graduate as an "L" PN. I took my boards 2 weeks after graduation, therefore I am an LPN. I guess I should have caught that before posting.

Sorry, I know I did not graduate as an "L" PN. I took my boards 2 weeks after graduation, therefore I am an LPN. I guess I should have caught that before posting.

In that case you should be able to find work.

Hello, I am new here. I graduated as an LPN over a year ago and have not worked as a nurse yet. I got pregnant before I even took state boards and decided not to stress myself out, so I stayed home and had a wonderful pregnancy. My daughter is 5 months old and I am ready to go to work now, I think! I have tried to keep up with things,read my journals, old nursing books and such but feel like I forgot everything! I am totally lost at what I should do first. I am slowly working on a resume, but am having trouble with that. I feel I should start in a nursing home to get the feel of things again, but I am having major anxiety when I think about the interview. I just don't feel qualified enough anymore. If anyone out there can give me some tips I would really appreciate it. I'm really excited about this but somethings holding me back. Thanks!!!

One of my former preceptors graduated when she was in her 20's. She then started having children and decided to raise them, before returning to work. 22 years later, she was on the Medical Surgical unit. Of course, I'm sure she had to take a refresher course. She is an awesome nurse though. As far as NCLEX, what I found to be most helpful was to do practice questions--as many as you can in one day, and still retain the info. I also took notes on things that seemed complex, such as the various endocrine disorders. I used the Saunders NCLEX book. I believe there is one for the PN also. Go to the NCLEX forum on this site, there is plenty of good information there, especially from Suzanne4. Good luck.

Good luck to you!