frustrating job search...

[pongtipRN]

i have been job searching for 3 weeks now, sending out my resumes, etc etc. just went for an interview yesterday, wouldn't u know i had to interview with 3 different people....i completely blanked out....i have never worked in a hospital or patient care setting before, except during clinical rotations.....i feel like once the interviewers saw that i had just graduated and this would be my first experience, i felt like they just should've put a big X on my forehead and my resume...i am feeling very discouraged at this point and wondering if anyone will hire me!!!

[DarciaMoonz, LPN]

I think most LPNs work in LTC settings. At least that is what is seems like. I am close to two different hospitals, and one doesn't hire LPNs at all and the other only hire 4 per year, which comes down to basically not hiring at all. I guess I better expand my hours for availability too then because I will be finished next month, and I specified a day shift only for a good reason. But.... It seems that I may have to put my main priority on the back burner if I want to get my foot in the door. Good luck and keep searching. Something will eventually come through.

[General E. Speaking, RN, RN]

Finally someone tells the truth. The LPN pay rates offered by the hospitals are absolutely pitiful around here. In addition, hospital work is harder with a more demanding pace. I am not putting my license on the line for a measly pay rate of $12.50 or $13 per hour when I can earn $20 hourly at a nursing home.

I will work at a hospital after I earn my RN license. However, working at a hospital as an LVN is not worth it to me at this time.

According to our HR Dept. our LVN pay scale at my hospital in Texas is from $13.77 up to 20.86. Fortunately, my scale is further to the right because of experience, but I cannot imagine working as a new LVN on a Med-Surg unit for $13 plus change! Good Luck in the job search.