Trying to get a job 6 years after graduating

Nurses LPN/LVN

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So, after graduating in June of 2008, I had a couple of traumatic events that sent me on a downward spiral. It was rough and I thought I'd never get back to who I was but I've been working hard to better myself. I sat for the boards this past August and to my astonishment, I passed! I set my mind to it and I did it. Now, I have a license which I thought was the hard part but it's not, it's getting a job! No one will hire me since I'm not a new grad. I just got an interview at a pretty crappy LTC facility tomorrow (I did a clinical rotation there).When the hiring manager asked when I graduated I said a "couple" years ago and she quickly responded with, "Okay, I see you just got your license in August." But, I'm sure to her a couple of years ago is 2 years and I was scared to say I graduated in '08 (I will let them know this info at the interview). I want this job more than anything, to get my foot in the door, but they want a recent grad to train. How can I get them to take a chance on me since I graduated lpn school 6 years ago and didn't get licensed until recently? I've been a private aide since graduating but I want to get clinical experience! What can I do or say? Any help will be greatly appreciated!

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I'm amazed that you got a practice permit in all honesty. In my neck of the woods, you have to pass the registration exam within two years of graduating and if you have less than 1300 hours of paid employment in a three year period you do not get a permit. You are required to go back to school for a refresher course.

How fresh are your skills?

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

Not being forthcoming may cost you a job. When they check your education history they will realize you graduated 6 years ago. A couple of years is not 6 years ago and this could cost you the job for not fully disclosing. You may get lucky and still complete the interview...if so good luck.

In my state you would have had to complete a clinical & theory refresher course 3 years post graduation before you could take the NCLEX.

Be forthcoming. Objectively assess your skills and knowledge.

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I live in NY and they did not require me to take a refresher course although I did go through the Hurst review. I have the knowledge, I just need to implement it. My skills aren't fresh since I haven't maintained them but once I get in somewhere I know it will all come back to me. The only thing I'm worried about is inserting catheters but once I watch someone do it then I'll be able to, I'm a fast learner. My best skills involve wound care.. I'm quite discouraged by these posts. I feel like, why bother? I have my interview in a few hours. I wasn't trying to hide the fact that I graduated six years ago. When I told them "a couple years ago" it's just what spurted out of my mouth. She didn't give me a chance to state the accurate years I've been out of school and once she started talking about pay we were already on a different subject. I didn't lie on my application. I put that I graduated in 2008 so I'm guessing she overlooked that.

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

If you wrote the truth and she overlooked it then there is no issues there It sounded from your post that her only information regarding graduation was given verbally by you.

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Specializes in behavioral health.

So, how was your interview? If you recently took boards and passed, then you have reviewed theory. Your skills will come back to you. Congratulations on passing the board after a 6 year hiatus!

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I just want to say...I GOT THE JOB! I can't believe it! I've never been more excited. I was hired on the spot. I'm extremely grateful that they are taking a chance on me. I just want to let others know who have graduated LPN school but took awhile to get their license whether it be due to taking multiple chances on passing the test or had life situations, like me, from holding them back. Never give up! Turns out they don't care when you graduated just as long as you have your license. In fact, my graduation date was never brought up. I didn't even realize that until I was dancing to my car in complete bliss. In all honesty, it wasn't my many years in private homecare that landed me the job. They were very concerned with what I have done prior to that. The hiring manager told me that it was when I told her that I worked at a pet grooming salon to get me through nursing school that she took a chance on me due to time management and customer service skills that I've learned there. They seemed very concerned about my one-on-one care private duty and then throwing me into a chaotic environment. I sold myself well. I told them I love being on my feet, working hard, and most importantly that I truly love caring for people. I made mention of that I can't leave my work at the door. I take it home with me because I'm constantly thinking of ways on how I can improve my patients' health and quality of life. I botched a few of the situational questions because working one-on-one is different from having one patient to 70 patients to care for. The one I botched the most was when she asked what I would do if a patient was extremely agitated, covered in stool and didn't want to get clean, what would I do. Since I'm in homecare, I answered that I'd do my best to calm her down, tell her why she needs to be clean and sit with her until she calms down. I'm extremely patient and I don't budge when something NEEDS to be done to ensure quality of health. Since I wouldn't have time to do that in a LTC facility, they wanted the answer to be to leave her alone for 10 minutes (she stated that she never heard of anyone dying from lying in their stool which put me a bit off because I can't do that) and to have someone else approach her. I can't wait to improve on my skills and to gain experience. When the nurse recruiter shook my hand and welcomed me to the team, my kneels buckled and I thought I was going to collapse from pure shock and enjoyment. I honestly didn't think I was going to get the job but just went in for the interview to get more experience. So, all you others out there who are trying to get a job years after graduating school, don't get discouraged! Go in and explain why you deserve this job, that you worked hard to get where you are at, and that you want to work for the company so badly (they seemed to like that). Tell them passionately why you'd make a great asset to their team. As long as you believe in yourself then they will believe in you.

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One more thing, they offered me an excellent pay rate and sign on bonus. How long does it take to receive the sign-bonus? They never stated if I have to work a certain amount of time to gain that sign on bonus or if it's immediate.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
One more thing, they offered me an excellent pay rate and sign on bonus. How long does it take to receive the sign-bonus? They never stated if I have to work a certain amount of time to gain that sign on bonus or if it's immediate.
This is a good question to ask the person who offered the bonus to you.

Most sign-on bonuses are not paid upfront because the point is to get you to stick around the facility for a while. Some sign-on bonuses are paid upfront, but you may be forced to repay the facility if you quit or your employment is terminated before a predetermined amount of time.

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Wow you are very lucky. I just graduated a month ago and passed my boards 1st time 2 weeks ago and still looking.

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U said u live in ny, just out of curiosity what is the name of the facility, I may need a new job lol

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Mainergal, it took about a month from when I submitted my resume until they called me for an interview.

Belle, are you in the CNY area?

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