So frustrating and discouraging.........

Nurses LPN/LVN

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so i just passed my boards and my lpn license should be coming in the mail any day. i've already applied to jobs online that had open opportunities for lpn's. i've sent out approx 25 resumes and all i keep hearing is "oh, sorry, you need to have at least 1-2 years post graduation experience." ughhh!!!! how am i supposed to get this necessary experience when no one will give a new lpn grad a chance? *sigh* apparently the entire 10 months of clinical rotations i did during my schooling account for nothing? i'm so discouraged at this point and i've only been in the "game" for about 2 weeks. but you'd think after sending out 25 resumes, i'd get a bite. anyone else experiencing this in nj? anyone have any tips/tricks to landing a job as a new grad? thanks in advance for any suggestions.

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Specializes in Geriatric LTC.

I sent out a slew of resumes when I graduated, but the job I landed was at the first place in which I had the gonads to walk in, hunt down the ADON and shake her hand. Got a call back the very next day. Best of luck to you. :3

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My fist employment after graduating from a practical nursing program was about 45 minutes from were I lived. This was over twenty years ago so a lot has changed I know. Meeting with the DON was important, she said " I'm going to take a chance on you". It was a small hospital and they used LPN's to the extent of the nurse practice law. I was hired as a GPN. I had taken my boards but it took something like 3 months or so to get results. My point is, it may take time for your fist hire. Be diligent and I believe the previous comment is right on. Seek out and speak with the DON. Best of luck with your new career.

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Thanks for the info and encouragement Kitty and Zerby. I appreciate it. I will definitely make personal appearances this week at several locations.

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I am going through the same thing right now as a new CNA grad. (starting LPN school this summer) I sent out tons of resumes and got nothing back so I decided to just walk in to the place I wanted to work at and asked for their HR rep and she gave me a tour and interview the same day. I left and never heard back until 10 days later when she called me in for a second interview. She said the DON loved my personality and they hired me! I would have never gotten that callback if I hadn't physically walked in and introduced myself, resume in hand. So I highly encourage you to actually GO to the place, hunt down their HR or DON and hand them your resume.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I sent out nearly 100 applications & resumes before my first job. The job I got, my interview was nearly 8 weeks after I applied. It was tough since there are a finite number of jobs and two schools locally that graduated t te same time

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Specializes in geriatrics, IV, Nurse management.
So I just passed my boards and my LPN license should be coming in the mail any day. I've already applied to jobs online that had open opportunities for LPN's. I've sent out approx 25 resumes and all I keep hearing is "Oh, sorry, you need to have at least 1-2 years post graduation experience." UGHHH!!!! How am I supposed to get this necessary experience when no one will give a new LPN grad a chance? *sigh* Apparently the entire 10 months of clinical rotations I did during my schooling account for nothing? I'm so discouraged at this point and I've only been in the "game" for about 2 weeks. But you'd think after sending out 25 resumes, I'd get a bite. Anyone else experiencing this in NJ? Anyone have any tips/tricks to landing a job as a new grad? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Don't give up. You'll always here the old "you need experience" even after a few years out in the field, but you can still pester them. Eventually, imo, someone will give in. Don't get discouraged - keep trying. I'm in 2 years into this game, but I ran in my BON election, and was 2nd place to win:) You can do this!:)

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Ive been an LPN for over 10 years and Ive been looking for a job change recently. I sent several resumes and applied online to many places and no one has really responded. I will tell you the bad economy has a lot to with this. There arent as many job openings as there used to be and so many nurses are desperately applying to the same position. If you think about how many active nurses there are in your neighborhood and how many actually open positions there are, the chances are slim to get a call back unless there is something amazing that stands out on your resume. My personal analysis is that many nurses dont have the power to quit a position as easily and go up the street and find another one the same day, as we were able to do 5+ years ago. Possibly facilities dont want to hire those with minimum experience because they dont want to invest the time and money to train you. My first position was in a hospital and they gave me 5 weeks of training as a new grad! Unheard of nowadays, but dont give up! In the past, the jobs that I did ended up getting, were the ones that I personally went into the facility and filled out application or by personal reference. Keep in mind, many hospitals or larger companies require you to fill out an online application first.

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I'm an LPN who got my license in Sept '11. I searched and applied like crazy (internet,in-person,job fairs) and, after getting a nsg hm job on 2/6/12, was canned on 3/30/12 because I wasn't fast enough with medication administration. I would get 80% of the ward,but that wasn't good enough for them. I made this career change at 48 years of age and I honestly don't think I can go any faster. What can I do as an LPN that requires knowledge and caring(which I have) but de-emphasizes speed(which I don't)?With this horrible job market, I may be forced to abandon nursing altogether without some positive vision.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I'm an LPN who got my license in Sept '11. I searched and applied like crazy (internet,in-person,job fairs) and, after getting a nsg hm job on 2/6/12, was canned on 3/30/12 because I wasn't fast enough with medication administration. I would get 80% of the ward,but that wasn't good enough for them. I made this career change at 48 years of age and I honestly don't think I can go any faster. What can I do as an LPN that requires knowledge and caring(which I have) but de-emphasizes speed(which I don't)?With this horrible job market, I may be forced to abandon nursing altogether without some positive vision.

Try private duty home health. One patient to focus on. Lots of skill and empathy required. Several agencies will hire new grad nurses for chronic patients (pediatric or adult) who require shift work skilled nursing care.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.
Try private duty home health. One patient to focus on. Lots of skill and empathy required. Several agencies will hire new grad nurses for chronic patients (pediatric or adult) who require shift work skilled nursing care.

All depends on your state regulations, is what I've been told. I called an agency that a classmate of mine recommended me to, and after I mentioned that I was a new grad- "Sorry, Maryland statutes say that you must have a year's experience in order to work in home health. Call us back when you get a yr's experience":uhoh3:

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Don't you all just get so tired of hearing a year's experience EVERYWHERE! LOL! I mean, seriously, someone needs to make that phrase into a song for us poor new grads. :p It seems like it's all I ever hear anymore.

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