Tired of Hearing the One Year Experience Required Line!!

BrandonLPN, LPN · Aug 30, 2012

This is why I feel nursing school should mandate experience in nursing as a requirement to enter the program. No one should be allowed to enter a LPN program without having worked for a year as a CNA. And make a year of LPN experience a mandatory requirement to enter any RN program. The cumulative knowledge would make the new grad at every level a better nurse and would eliminate having new grads with zero experience.

Cold Stethoscope · Aug 30, 2012

You know those places that everyone tells you not to go to unless you are desperate? To get that first year of experience, most people have to go to those places and work a year there. There are also usually places known for not requiring experience (though I'm sure that list is a lot shortner now). Just keep applying and trying, that's all you can do!

Before I'd consider applying to a known terrible place to work, I'd consider relocating somewhere jobs were more numerous, if at all possible, as the poster above suggested.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Aug 30, 2012

I disagree, Brandon. I wanted to be an RN...not an LPN or a CNA. I learned everything I needed to in nursing school to start my career. I didn't get orientation when I went to work on a med surg floor because it was expected that my years in nursing school had prepared me to hit the floor running. It was hard...it was scary, but it was the norm and back then, no one would have thought to complain since we were all happy to have jobs.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Aug 30, 2012

I disagree, Brandon. I wanted to be an RN...not an LPN or a CNA. I learned everything I needed to in nursing school to start my career. I didn't get orientation when I went to work on a med surg floor because it was expected that myyears in nursing school had prepared me to hit the floor running. It was hard...it was scary, but it was the norm and back then, no one would have thought tocomplain since we were all happy to have jobs.

Instead of viewing each role (CNA, LPN, RN) as a separate profession in and of themselves, I like the idea of it being a single continuumwhere one starts at the bottom (CNA) and progresses stopping at whatever level they wish, taking it step by step as they go. Of course, this is not for everybody. And I work with many wonderful RNs who never worked a day as an aide or LPN. But I think their first year or so was much more terrifying for them because of this lack of experience. That's a lot of responsibility to take on all at once for someone who is new to their role and new to patient care in general.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Aug 30, 2012

Well....I don't view CNAs as 'the bottom'. They are a hugely important part of the team. But that's getting away from the point of this thread.

BelieveN · Aug 30, 2012

Keep your chin up, you will find that job. I have been a nurse for11 years. I wanted out of LTC. So I left when they where trying to make it difficult for to change to 11to 7a shift. Tried for 6 mo. After leaving I decided I would go for a day platoon in Dr. Office. I get the same 1 yr. Exp there. Like you said either know someone or eventually it will land in your favor. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

BrandonLPN, LPN · Aug 30, 2012

I meant bottom as in first step. And only a 'step' if one choses. Many CNAs are happy where they're at and don't view their job as a "stepping stone" to anything.

kabooski · Aug 30, 2012

Brandon there is a different thought process between yourself and others. You view Nursing as vocational, like electricians ... where you learn on the Job and progress to be an electrician . I consider RN to a "professional" position on par with other "college" educated professionals, where their was zero prior knowledge or experience needed.

wish_me_luck, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2012

I understand where you are coming from, Brandon. But you have to realize one thing--some facilities do not count CNA or LPN experience. Think of all of the LPNs transitioning to RN and they can't find work because their experience doesn't count. I sure as heck think it does but apparently to hiring managers, it means squat.

wish_me_luck, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2012

There's doctor's office LPN jobs where I am. It says previous experience PREFERRED, not mandatory. The minimum qualification is license and training from a program.

Inori, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2012

keep on the job search, look up every single facility, hospital, LTC, rehab, prision, scour jobs, "cyberstalk" er research facilities to get names and contact them. HR is just one way in after all the chain of viewers is HR>DON>Nurse Manager>Head nurse somethign like that so you can get your resume to people that fit somewhere in the chain. Technique is: Send, Follow up by Phone, letter, send again. Each place of interest should get a follow up from you every 1-2 weeks ok i've neglected that as well. Keep on applying, network, volunteer, leave no stone unturned.

Find something to keep the stress off, workouts, jog, get out of the house, f hobbies and maintain a regular schedule just as if you would be at work. You're giving your self something to aim for, and build confidence. That positive glowy confidence will come across in interviews and thats what you want.

most states do not allow RNs to work as CNAs, nor should you do it even if the facility says its ok because guess what? the law says that you will be held to the standards of your highest license. Meaning that even though its not your job as CNA to do X but should somethigh happen to pt you'll be responsible as if you're teh RN. I will find other ways of paying the bills because I worked too hard for this license to lose it and I haven't even used it yet as nurse.

It's doable you just need 1 job, that job exists, someone out there will give you a break. My goal was to send out as many resumes as needed hit up every single hopsital, facility, nursing home hell why not start with goal of 1000 resumes. Just like you were studying for nclex, consistency is key, every day you must send out resumes, call and meet people. I'm up to 200-250 and have a job offer :)

MedChica · Aug 30, 2012

There's doctor's office LPN jobs where I am. It says previous experience PREFERRED, not mandatory. The minimum qualification is license and training from a program.

If 'the minimum qualifications' were good enough, we wouldn't have a bunch of new grads on the board crying about the lack of jobs.

LOL

You're that much more valuable if you have experience - ANY kind of health experience - over someone with none.

LVN transition to RN?

In any given situation, some won't have issues doing this, that and the other...while others will.

This one fails. This one succeeds.

Your 'personal mileage' may vary.

I'm aware that some hiring managers won't agree that it counts. I understand that it's difficult for some to make the transfer, too. Only 1 that I know, but it was good to see the situation from his perspective. That's all that you need: To be aware...and if you're aware? You can plan for the bumps in the road. You can look for ways around them or over them. You can see what those who went before you did wrong...and improve your chances.

Risk is something to be managed, not avoided.

I chose the LVN path because it made the most sense. I'm not worried about the situation or being unable to make the transition.

I have the smarts. Yeah - but it takes more than that to be successful.

I have a LOT of common sense. LOL

I'm resourceful. I'm pretty d*mned crafty. I can schmooze the pants off you...and I network like a Black Ninja!

I have contacts in the hospital (in Houston) and the VA (though I doubt I'll 'go there'. I can't deal with the military right now. LOL).

Some people naturally play the game better than others....

Brandon there is a different thought process between yourself and others. You view Nursing as vocational, like electricians ... where you learn on the Job and progress to be an electrician . I consider RN to a "professional" position on par with other "college" educated professionals, where their was zero prior knowledge or experience needed.

You don't even need a degree to be a RN. What are you talking about? LOL

So, LVNs aren't 'professional'? So...electricians aren't 'professionals'? So, no one else in the hospital is a professional EXCEPT the BSNs, MSNs and docs?

How strange that an nurse would look down on another for not having a college degree? My aunts, who've been nursing for 25-40 years, don't have degrees. They are professionals.

It's experience that makes the health care professional. It's the same no matter where you go in the hospital.

I don't have a degree...at the moment. LOL

Yet, I was a professional as a rad manager. I was a professional as a rad and CT tech. I was a professional as a Certified Nurse Aide.

That title does not come from a slip of paper. I daresay that a TRUE professional would require a degree to feel legitimate and worthwhile, in the first place.

Of course, I'm not anti-education but people with this mentality really do need to get over themselves. LOL

I'll tell you what I think about "college" educated learning:

All of that "college" educated learnin' and what's it amount to - what's it represent - but $60,000 down the damned drain for the lot of 'em. LOL These people have Bachelor's degrees and a curious portion of these BSNs (apparently) still don't know how to research their job market, how to differentiate between a good source and not, etc....and that learnin' is taught as one of the 'basics'. Among the first classes that you take in College, i.e., Professional Development and Critical Thinking, etc...and reinforced throughout. Being a better 'thinker' is half the point in even going TO college!

...and heck yes, I'm gonna talk about them! LOL Why not?

For one, it's funny. Secondly, its true...and it's ridiculous.

If they're not going to pay attention in class, why even go to school? Buy a home with their would-be tuition funds, get their diplomaor ADN and high-tail it to ALLNURSES...where we, the non-degreed, are more than happy to 'spoonfeed' them for free...!

LOL