Can't find a job! What do you reccomend?

fireflyLPN · Jul 22, 2005

Hello to all. I am desperate for a job right now, I live in the Tampa Bay Area and just graduated from LPN school last week. I am waiting to sit for the boards, but I am a single mom of 2 kids and jobless ALL through school. God helped provide for me while I was in school, but I am in desperate Need for money now. I have been to every nursing home in the area, every hospital within an hour of here and no luck at finding a job. I know it is not me because I am well educated and have 9 years of medical experience/back office mainly in pedicatrics and other doctors offices. I feel well trained and capable of handeling the positions I am applying for, granted I still have room to always learn more! Did any of you experience this when you first graduated and what do you suggest I could do? One nursing home told me it was illegal to hire me without me being licensed yet, and one hospital keeps bouncing me back and forth through interviews. I appreciate the time they are takeing to find out about me, but I am SO READY to earn a paycheck if they offered me to scrub toliets I think I may consider it..............HAHA.......well consider it! Any advice I will appreciate! Thanks!

Hi there,

I did experience this when I first graduated. Pretty much no one wants to talk to you until you get your license. I interviewed w/ a hospital and they offered me a job contigent upon me passing the boards. Of course I couldn't start working until I passed my boards either.

With that being you might want to check out Heartland/HCR. They offer a paid Student Nurse program. You work with a preceptor. In the program you can work 3 shifts a week (8 hour shifts & at close to a Nurse's wage) and if you want additional hours you can work as an aid on the floor. If there isn't a Heartland nearby, check with other facilities. They may offer a similar program.

Hope this helps!

newflgrad · Jul 22, 2005

[

Thank you for your advice I should have included that in my post that I did go to Heartland and they were willing to talk to me but for night shift only. Very nice people and very receptive. Right now, Days is all I can work being a single mom and unable to find anyone to take my kids through the night. But thank you for replying. I was wondering if it was just my area or do all nurses run into this. I guess it happens to everyone, you have to have your license to work. Sad, but true.

QUOTE=fireflyLPN]Hi there,

I did experience this when I first graduated. Pretty much no one wants to talk to you until you get your license. I interviewed w/ a hospital and they offered me a job contigent upon me passing the boards. Of course I couldn't start working until I passed my boards either.

With that being you might want to check out Heartland/HCR. They offer a paid Student Nurse program. You work with a preceptor. In the program you can work 3 shifts a week (8 hour shifts & at close to a Nurse's wage) and if you want additional hours you can work as an aid on the floor. If there isn't a Heartland nearby, check with other facilities. They may offer a similar program.

Hope this helps!

luv4nursing · Jul 24, 2005

hey there! I understand your frustration and Im sure Ill be facing the same soon bc I graduate Sept. 6. Im on break right now and would love to try to go ahead and research job opportunities but I know there isnt much to negotiate without a license in hand. What I suggest u do is apply to be a tech for right now until u get your license then get them to hire u as a LPN after u take the boards. I know a lot of students from my school who graduated before me did that. If the place doesnt have any openings then u can just go somewhere else bc once u have your license u will have no problems finding work. good luck to u and congrats!

mchanrice · Jul 26, 2005

If you don't mind me asking, what school did you graduate from?

CHATSDALE · Jul 26, 2005

how long is it between grad and sitting for test??

i don't know how old your children but some facilities have child care on site

try and work something out about and show how adaptable you can be...also check out doctors offices and clinics...they frequently don't pay as much but the day hours are good for mothers with school age children

newflgrad · Jul 26, 2005

I graduated from PHCC and I have looked for Doctor's office's and everywhere. I just graduated on the 14th and they told me it would be anywhere from 4-6 weeks before I can sit. I have an interview tomorrow with a hospital, don' tknow if they are willing to work me as a CNA until I sit for my boards but I sure am willing! I will do it for the lower pay even because I am not makeing it right now!LOL I will let you know how it turns out. Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I was just concerned if I was the only one faceing this dilemma or if this is somewhat common? Thanks!

how long is it between grad and sitting for test??
i don't know how old your children but some facilities have child care on site
try and work something out about and show how adaptable you can be...also check out doctors offices and clinics...they frequently don't pay as much but the day hours are good for mothers with school age children

underwatergirl · Jul 26, 2005

Hmmm when I graduate in Wisconsin, I was able to request from the Nursing board to be able to work as a GPN...there was no problem with that at the place I worked...basic requirement was a RN had to check over all of my charting and my meds, which allowed me to develop into a nurse in a positive manner...now if I failed boards I would have lost that temporary nursing license..till I retook boards.

I find it amazing that you aren't even offered CNA jobs or anything...keep looking the time will come...I am not familiar with that state however.

Hope it helps,

Annette

ps. have the dad take them over night

n8isgr8 · Jul 26, 2005

I feel for you! It is challenging finding a job out of nursing school especially if you are a single mom and need nights off. Have you tried to go to the clinical sites where you traind and seek positions there? Seems like most of my graduating class found night jobs. Be diligent and try not to settle. Go on career builders, monster, and go through your localphone book and apply to every dr office, clinic, ltc, and hospital you find. There are many clinics in our area for substance abuse that are days. I really shopped around. Sent out about 40 resumes. Fax them. I found a couple that were mon through friday days, check into med spas for laser treatments, weight loss centers, methadone clinics. I m also a single mom. My son is my life and my world. I could have gotten a job nights for 3 dollars more than I am making now. But my son's childhood is more important to me than the money. I only need enough to get by, dont need all the bells and whistles ( my son gives me that). But this is only my opinion, you need to do what is right for you in your situation. I have a friend who found night day care in a home day care environment for 100 dollars a week. So look around ask friends and also stay at home moms who would want the extra money, and whom you trust. I was offered a job at a dr. office for 13.50. It was no weekends or holidays. Unfortunately I could not keep my home for that salary, so I keep searching. I found a great job after months of looking. days no weekend or holidays as well, but the pay is much better. It is for an EECP clinic. Our situatioons sound similiar as I too have nine years of past medical experience. Be diligent in looking that is your full time job right now. Be professional, seem interested, research the company before you interview, and write a thank you for their time. This will help them to remember you and you may stand out from the others. Drive in your neighborhood and every med center, clinic, and office you see stop at and ask to fill out an application and leave with them a copy of your resume. You WILL find it. Good luck to you. I know how hard it is, kudos for going to school full time with two little ones that is impressive in and of itself!!!!! YOu have determination, dedication, and perserverance. Do all you can make a good effort and leave the rest in GODs hand you WILL be ok.

-Jami

newflgrad · Jul 26, 2005

I went for my interview today and the charge nurse really liked me and said she thinks I would make a great team member! She told me to come back on Aug 8th after her supervisor's vacation is over and take it from there! They are thinking about letting me work as a CNA while I wait from my boards and get me aquainted with their floor and how everything works and how they do things! Then once I pass my boards put me on as a LPN! Thanks for all your advice and encouragement!! :)

luv4nursing · Jul 26, 2005

n8isgr8,

I remember u on the boards from forevery ago before I even got into school and was on here and u had gotten in. congrats on finding a great job! what is an EECP clinic?

newflgrad,

congrats, it sounds like its going to work out for u. good lucK!

newflgrad · Jul 27, 2005

[i was wondering the same thing what an EECP clinic is?

QUOTE=luv4nursing]n8isgr8,

I remember u on the boards from forevery ago before I even got into school and was on here and u had gotten in. congrats on finding a great job! what is an EECP clinic?

newflgrad,

congrats, it sounds like its going to work out for u. good lucK!