Frustrated job searching!!

Nurses LPN/LVN

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I'm a LPN with 5 years experience and looking for a job in a medical office that's within 20-30 miles of home. Sounds reasonable but it's been 5 months of serious, hard looking and several interviews and still. . .nothing. The frustrating part is the job search boards. I set my search parameters with the job description or keyword LPN and set my distance. Over 3/4 of the postings it pulls up are for RNs (supervising LPNs is in the description which is why it triggers my search) or well outside the 30-mile radius. I've had a few with one large company that were posted for LPN but the requirements state must have current, valid RN and BSN degree--that's not a LPN! Anybody else running into this?

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Specializes in 4.

As you are aware the job market is tough for everyone but with your limitations, you may have a harder time. Just my observation but I broadened my search by specialty & location cause I am all too well aware of the competition for So Cal nurses. To be successful you need to think outside your comfort zone. I understand you may not be able to be flexible in certain areas but in this days market, you need to be.

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I know it's tough for everybody but my point was the job postings that pop up for "LPN" are usually for RNs--they pop up because the job description is "supervising LPNs." Or when I select the parameters of 30 mile radius, it's showing jobs 50 miles away. There's one posting for a job in Atlanta but it requires your active California LPN license--what? I've broadened my search area, but I'm also trying to keep my commute under 1 1/2 hours. I live in the outer suburbs and getting into Atlanta or beyond will easily take an hour because traffic around here sucks. I have two young children so I'd much rather work normal hours than work evenings and weekends. I left a job with odd hours (late hours two days a week, early hours two days a week, half days) and missed so much of my oldest son's school and activities and don't want to miss out again. I'm putting my family life first; maybe when the kids are older I can open up more, but I'm limited now. I actually have an interview Monday with an office that's 35 miles away--over an hour commute--and my mom is telling me not to go that far. I'm not searching just one specialty, just ANY office. I have a lot of experience in one specialty and am trying to avoid that, but if I end there again then I'll deal with it, but I've had more than one interviewer question my ability to work in internal medicine because of being in one specialty before. I am more than willing to work in any specialty and am seriously considering LTC facilities but don't know the common weekend rotation. Also, who would get my oldest, still in elementary school, on the bus at 7:20 if I have to be at work at 7 and hubby leaves the house at 6:40? There's a lot factoring into my search.

Those who work in LTC, what are the weekend rotations--one weekend a month or every 3rd weekend or is there a weekend-only shift that works? Also, how far would you commute for work?

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Specializes in 4.

I completely understand but I am giving my perspective cause it is hard out there. I don't know what the job market is like in Atlanta but in Southern California there are nurses everywhere. The market is extremely tough right now. I work for LA County in the Outpatient Surgery Dept at a major hospital. I waited almost a year after applying to get in but I never gave up. I went after my dreams & got it. Your best bet is probably LTC & depending on the facility will determine your weekend rotation schedule. In my dept, I don't have to worry about working weekends or holidays as we have them off paid. Have you tried looking for a state, city or county job? They may take awhile to get in but once you are in, you are golden. As far as the search goes, I had the same problem but it is because LVN was listed in the job description or post somewhere as most RN's supervise LVN's. So when doing a job search you will get a list of everything with LVN anywhere mentioned in the post.

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Try typing in medical assistant instead. Some of these offices are willing to hire an lpn but itll be for less pay. Also, most places do not advertise their positions. I find most of the ads for lpns are just up for show. You can also try ltcs a little father away, bc since you do have some exerience, you may be able to find a 7-3 job. Good luck & keep us updated!

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