New graduate LPNs: any luck finding jobs.

U.S.A. North Carolina

Published

I am applying to the LPN program for Spring 2010. I was originally in the RN program, however failed my summer class by one point. :banghead:

Anyway. I was wondering has any of the new LPN graduates found full time jobs? There are always job postings for RN openings, but never an LPN. Unless it's a nursing home or an agency.

Am I just wasting my time? Should I just work for a year and reapply to the RN program for next summer and possibly graduate Spring 2011? Or should I stay on course and graduate as a LPN Summer 2010?

ariley4444

3 Posts

I just graduated in June 2009 and received my license as an LPN. I have applied for several LPN positions in hospitals and no luck. I have received feedback that I do not have 1-2 years experience and a more experienced LPN was selected for most positions. Or, I do not hear anything at all. I prefer not work in a nursing home or doctor office, so I have not applied for any of those positions. I am preparing to bridge to RN next year. I will keep on applying until I find an LPN position.....

To answer your question about whether you would waste your time with the PN program - not in my opinion. You can still bridge to RN later and at least get started on your nursing classes now instead of waiting until the next RN program. I chose to go with my LPN first due to the timing of when the classes started and the fact they were evening/weekend classes.

Good luck!

ItsTheDude

621 Posts

new rn grads r having difficulties finding jobs (there's post and articles about it at this site) despite job postings, the economy is tough. most job postings r for nurses with experience, the demand for new nurses is very low right now.

Jmas7

27 Posts

Yeah, I think it's a lot to do with the economy and everyone is having a hard time finding jobs. There are a lot of opportunities for LPNs in home health and LTC, and you could do that for a year and have enough experience to get a job at a hospital. The way I saw it, I wanted to get my foot in the door and make sure it was for me, and then I could get a chance to get some experience before moving on. If you think its worth it to wait for the RN program, then go for it, but if there's a chance you wouldn't get a spot again, then I would go for the LPN.

dulcemorena

26 Posts

I graduated in March 2009 and still have had no luck in finding a job. I've applied everywhere and no luck. Feel like I wasted a year of my life. Shouldve gone to RN school

LovebugLPN

275 Posts

Specializes in LTC, Home Health.

Hate to burst your bubble but their are a lot of RN grads who are having trouble finding jobs. You should read some of the threads on here.

dulcemorena

26 Posts

so much for the so-called nursing shortage

Lady-Q

8 Posts

Specializes in Skilled care, Psych.

I got my license (LPN) a month ago and started searching for jobs right away.. my luck is not so great but i have been offered a part time (with very little hours) that I'm gonna take for the experience.. it is a mess finding a job if you don't have experience! I have been told by many employers that once a year is up they'd be glad to hire me...so thats the catch i guess.....

LandauGuy

16 Posts

I graduated in March 2009 and still have had no luck in finding a job. I've applied everywhere and no luck. Feel like I wasted a year of my life. Shouldve gone to RN school

I feel the same. I can't find a job and have been looking since May. I wasted a great deal of time and money doing something I thought would improve both my life and the lives of others. The supposed 'nursing shortage' was one important aspect of nursing I was counting on to make me marketable with real skills for the first time in my life.

...so much for that.

:banghead:

dulcemorena

26 Posts

I can understand not getting the job you want due to lack of experience, that happens in any field, but when everyone turns you down because of being a new grad, or when certain places have phased out LPN's, it just feels like you've been tricked into paying money. Yes you are supposed to know the career before you go to school for it, but the instructors (who you grow to trust during the time that you are in school) act as if you are in such high demand.Who else can you expect to have a better insight to the field than people who have been in it for 20-30 years?

onesunniegal

95 Posts

Specializes in ICU, Geri, Education.

myperdas,

Just curious, have you found anything yet? I really hope so, I can only imagine how much that could make a person feel down in the dumps.

-s

knitsocks77

12 Posts

I know that many of you don't want to work in LTC but at this point it is a job. It is experience. I just finished the LPN portion of the program I am in (will be done with RN portion in May, 2010). I took the NCLEX on 9/11 and passed. There aren't many jobs available where I live for LPN's right now either but I have been working as a CNA at a nursing home and went to talk to the administrator about getting some experiences and training on the floor as an LPN. He was more than willing to let me start orientation...and for more of a raise than I was expecting. I'll still be working as an aide on my regularly scheduled weekends (at least until they can replace me or a permanent LPN spot opens up) but the opposite weekends I'll be getting some real job experience as a nurse. Job experience that will count on applications and resumes in the future.

I don't think any local hospitals are hiring LPNs at the moment due to the movement toward RN only. I have only seen a few full-time LPN job postings for any facilities. I think things will start changing next year. Facilities will realize that they are burning out their RN's and with burn-out comes injuries, illnesses, and retirement. It is all cyclical and things will change again. Similar to situations such as BSN vs. ADN nurses. My hope is to finish the ADN program I am in and start working, but at the same time continue on with school.

Good luck to everyone in the job search!

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