No One Will Hire Me!!!!

ginger58, ASN, RN · Nov 25, 2007

If I'm reading your post correctly you had experience in the military, challenged the LVN license and passed, and didn't work in the field for 4 years. Is this correct? If so, it may be that lapse of time. What sort of experience did you get in the military?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2007

Sometimes it's just a matter of persistence and being at the right place at the right time.

It's probably not you personally. Hospitals aren't hiring LPNs like they used to. Hospitals are probably looking at you as a "new grad" which is unfortunate, but your military experience should count. Hospitals around here are hiring LPNs, but not often. A friend of mind got hired after several months of trying and looking at literally dozens of facilities, checking their website over and over.

Good luck.

caliotter3 · Nov 25, 2007

You stated in your post that you want to get hired in a hospital. It is harder for an LVN to get hired in a hospital in the best of circumstances. They usually will state right in the job listing that they prefer the candidate to have experience in the area that the listing is for. Another drawback is that many hospitals in many areas are getting away from hiring LPN/LVNs at all. I'm certain that you know this. If you really get down to the wire there are two options you should consider: start looking for work in long term care facilities or apply to the hospitals as a patient tech or CNA (provided you are applying to a hospital that hires LVNs). You will be working, and will find out quickly when an opening is coming up for an LVN. It should be easier to get a position if you are hired from within the organization. You also might try some of the nursing agencies. There are some that will hire new grads. Since you have experience from the military, you can get beyond the no experience hurdle with any agency that insists on experience. Good luck.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2007

Nursing homes.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2007

Hello everyone I am a military trained LVN that challenged the board to receive my license about 3months ago and passed my first try (hold the applause...lol). Although I have much experience with the military it was 4 years "before" I got my license. Its quite frustrating that i have a license and cant do anything with it. How can I get a year "experience" if no one will hire me? Can anyone help me on tips on getting hired @ a hospital?

Work on a skilled rehab unit at a nursing home to pass the precious time until a hospital hires you. Frankly, I'd rather be earning some money at a nursing home or skilled nursing facility while I wait for a hospital to call me with an offer of employment. After all, you never know how long you'll be waiting before any local hospitals hire you. Also, you may wish to apply at rehabilitation hospitals such as Healthsouth, as these workplaces are generally known to be more "LVN-friendly" in regards to their hiring practices. Good luck with your job search.