Can a new LPN work anywhere besides a nursing home?

[Ethsmom]

I'm currently in an LPN program and will graduate at the end of March. Our two clinical sites have been at nursing homes, and I realize that I just do not have the energy to work in a nursing home. Have any new LPNs gotten jobs at places other than nursing home? Any tips for landing these jobs?

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

In addition to all the LPN jobs that have been listed, there are also many jobs that will hire LPNs into certain roles, though they won't really allow said person to function as a nurse or use the LPN title in the job.

For example, where I live urgent care centers heavily utilize workers they call "clinical support associates". To be a CSA one needs to be a LPN, EMT or MA. But once hired, they are a CSA only. They are not allowed to tell pts that they are a "nurse".

Also, sleep clinics hire LPNs as "sleep techs", but they're not really utilized as nurses. Ditto for some dialysis clinics, they'll hire LPNs as dialysis technicians, but their job is exactly the same as the techs who aren't LPNs.

Personally, I think a LPN taking such positions is a bad idea. The pay is low, pus it doesn't really count as true nursing experience. But some LPNs are so desperate to escape LTC, they'll accept a job where their nursing license isn't really utilized.

[HazelLPN, LPN]

LPNs certainly do have options other than LTC, but one must be much more creative these days in order to find these jobs. Your best bet is to know people. Human connections are the best way to get jobs. Every single job that I ever got was via a human connection. There are hospitals where LPNs are still used in the acute care setting. However, the LPNs who have these positions are usually either grandfathered or have had some sort of "in". For example, the last LPN that was hired in the PICU where I used to work had been their unit clerk. The kind of unit clerk who ran the unit, knew what was needed before you even asked her for it. When she graduated from LPN school, they hired her as a new grad LPN knowing that we simply were better off with her than without her and she ended up being the same kind of LPN as she was a clerk. There are always exceptions to the rules and these exceptions almost always involve knowing the right people. It's been my calling card after all these years.

It is disgusting that places will hire LPNs and not let them use the term "nurse". Sorry, that's what the "N" stands for. That's what the LPN went to school for. Never would I call myself anything but a licensed practical nurse or a nurse. I'm from the old school. I still wear my pin, my whites and my cap....PROUDLY..and there is no way anyone can mistake me for anything but a NURSE. I earned that cap and pin and that diploma. I am responsible for the care that I provide under my license.

I always tell people, however, that even though it is possible for LPNs to work in acute care or even in specialized units like critical care, ER, OB etc....the easiest way is to get that BSN. It will not make you a better nurse. It will give you the most options these days.

Best to you,

Mrs. H.

[laydiebuug]

You can work lots of places depending on where you are located, when I first graduated in 2009 there weren't many jobs but now jobs that had been previously for RN's or BSN's are opening for LPN's. I am currently a case manager something I was told I would never do as an LPN and I love it. This is my second case management position. I am completing pre-req's for my BSN though

[S.G.]

When I worked in upstate NY, the hospital I worked for wouldn't hire LPNs. There were a few working but they wouldn't hire new ones. In NC, I worked with several LPNs on the floor and they continue to hire them in acute care areas. I found that the scope of practice for LPNs was almost the same as an RN in NC but vastly different in NY. It's going to vary widely by state. I see a lot of LPNs in clinics as well.

[jarusha1]

LPN's are being phased out in hospitals. I have worked in hospitals as a nurse's aid from 1966 to 1990, then have worked as an LPN since in hospitals. The hospital I was working at was no longer hiring LPN's, but were keeping the ones that were already there. I have worked in hospitals so long I have little experience in other areas. Doctor's offices hire LPN's and diaysis units hire LPN's. It is frustrating trying to find work after so many years in a hospital, and now the hospitals aren't hiring LPN's. I am a good nurse and the majority of the patients that I took care of were always glad when I was assigned to them. It was made quite clear that the new Rn grads were the "best nurses", and obviously experience didn't qualify. Those statements aren't good for the morale of the staff.

[livingonadream]

Don't forget factories in the occupational role. We are currently looking for an LPN at my company and having a hard time finding one!