What job should a new LPN graduate take?

*caliotter3* · May 05, 2008, 12:55 PM

Re: What job should a new LPN graduate take?

This may sound trite. But I say, take the job that is offered you. It surprised me to find out when I got my LVN license that no one wanted me. I applied everywhere and met with the "RN only" dilemma. Finally got a LTC facility to offer me a job on my second application. The only reason I got hired at that facility was because of the circumstances. Not even considered the first time I applied. Of course, it is different from area to area. I happened to live in an area that was short on hiring nurses of any kind, RN or LVN, at the time. Historically, there are more applicants than positions available in that area and when positions become available, the employers take RNs over LVNs. I had to move out of the area in order to obtain and maintain employment. Competition is tough.

dfroll · May 05, 2008, 08:41 PM

Re: What job should a new LPN graduate take?

We do need the skills!! Too bad we can't have everything we want.

JRN1704 · May 07, 2008, 11:59 PM

Re: What job should a new LPN graduate take?

Acute Care for experience vs. SNF for $$$

I rather take Acute anytime, take a less pay, and build that experience. Get your ACLS/PALS/IV Certification. Move up in the life of a NURSE.

DarkRainyDays · May 08, 2008, 03:09 PM

Re: What job should a new LPN graduate take?

I'm kind of clueless on the acronyms... what qualifies as acute care exactly? Also ACLS/PALS/SNF?

I'm in an LPN course at the moment, and never would have gone if I thought my only option would be old age homes, but it seems like there are next to zero jobs available here other than that. In the past few months I've only seen two that interested me... weekends at a private psych hospital and temp / part time through an agency at a hospital and in neither place do I even know if I had a chance, since there have only been those two available. Is it too much to ask for full time at somewhere that is not going to end up just being about making people comfortable while they wait to die? I dont mean any disrespect whatsoever. I just really want to help people feel better and I dont think I could just see people pass on all day every day.

Sometimes maybe or as a learning step maybe, but its not what I want out of life, yk?

JRN1704 · May 08, 2008, 03:15 PM

Re: What job should a new LPN graduate take?

Usually experience is needed to get into Acute (Hospital) setting. Some Hospitals DO and DON'T use LVNs. Also, is word of mouth or when you get into your clinical settings in Acute Care, see if they hire on LVNs and get on a good note with them.

I see MOST LVNs that do Registry Nursing or Home Health, some Hospice. The DOOR is wide open for Nursing. It's like I was saying, I rather get paid less than get paid more for doing SNF.

Acute is if you want to branch onto other things.

ACLS/PALS is usually needed for ER/OR.

ER is pretty rare to see LVNs but possible to get into!

Remember, LVN have the GOLD CARE but RNs have the PLATNIUM!

ACLS = Advance Cardiac Life Support
PALS = Pediatric Advance Life Support
SNF = Skilled Nursing Facility

princessmommie78 · May 10, 2008, 01:39 AM

Re: What job should a new LPN graduate take?

Pediatric home care is awesome!! i work 3rd shift and love it... i get to work 12 hour shifts for 2 different clients (3 shifts a week including a weekend).. i am in transition for the RN program and i also have 3 kids at home and a husband... after my clients are in bed i have the rest of the night as free time (exception is routine cleaning, disinfecting, repositioning, diaper changes ect.. ) lot of time to work on home work and study!!!! It works for me....

akanini · May 10, 2008, 05:11 PM

Re: What job should a new LPN graduate take?

I will be working for a union with a LTC facility. I would love to work in the hospital on a Med-Surg floor, but the union is paying for my education.

peridotgirl · May 11, 2008, 12:08 PM

Re: What job should a new LPN graduate take?

Originally Posted by jcsinging

I started 6 months ago at a state facility for the mentally challenged. We did some clinicals there and I must say that I never would have thought to go there or even known this place existed if we hadn't. I LOVE working there. The clients (residents) are wonderful people who I am very pleased to have gotten to know. Certainly, there are some challenging behaviors, but everyone is someone's favorite. I have learned a staggering amount of nursing working in the medically fragile areas. I am gaining in confidence and still soaking in knowledge like a sponge. The pay is better than I would have received in a nursing home and it is managed very well. (this facility is one of the best in the country). They have a scholarship program for schooling that can't be beat. Anyone can apply for it. I oriented for a month before I was 'cut loose' on the population and there were numerous classes to attend on policy and procedure.
Consider looking into different areas than just nursing homes. I've heard some horror stories about nursing homes...

Hello, JCsinging, to add on to what you said, I don't think that working in a LTC facility is a really good idea for a newly graduate LPN. I'm not fond of LTC either. To the OP, the reason I say this is because while working in a TLC facility is a good experience, you lose a lot of your clincial skills while working there. Plus, LTC is much slower, so if you prefer to work at a slower pace, then this might be a good option. The advanges of TLC facilities that some of them will hire you on the spot w/o a yr's experiecne.

I'm not an LPN as of yet, I have 6 months to go. I do plan to find work in a pediatrician's office or acute care. I don't know yet. But this is a my two cents and I welcome you to the nursing field and I wish you good good in whatever area of nursing you choose to do.

:n urse:

tcowie · Oct 07, 2009, 09:09 PM

Re: What job should a new LPN graduate take?

I am having trouble finding ANY place that will hire a new grad with no experience. Even my previous employer whom I worked as an STNA for said 'no' to me because I don't have any experience an an LPN. I dont' know what to do!!!

determined1 · Nov 04, 2009, 04:13 PM

Re: What job should a new LPN graduate take?

In the same boat here. I decided to enter a RN program straight out of LPN school and now, 3 yrs later, I'm still working on my RN and still haven't gotten any experience at all.
I have a decision to make real soon. As I continue my studying, I want to get some experience. However, my passion is with maternity. I will not be happy anywhere else. Its not easy to come by a LPN position in maternity.
Now, I do have an opportunity to work at a SNF. So, I'm stuck with the dilemma.......work for some type of experience and be unhappy or not give up on what I want? I might as well just finish my RN then work. I just don't know. Once I start working, I will need to keep up with a job.
I am a single mom of 3. I've basically been home raising them and not that the job is done, but I'm in a position now that a may find a way to work. I'm only interested in working now to gain experience (LTC is not what I had in mind) not that I'm financially in desperate need.
I just don't know..............any opinions??

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What job should a new LPN graduate take?

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