LPN is NOT considered nursing experience?!

[canuck-nurse]

Hi all,

I wanted to start a thread where I can hear from other LPNs, who transitioned to RNs, that are having difficulty finding employment.

Just a little about me, I have been employed by the same health region for almost 9 years here in Vancouver, BC. I started out as a Unit Clerk for 3 years, completed my LPN but was bumped from my permanent part-time position, so I decided to complete the BSN program. In between terms, I was working as casual LPN so that I can maintain my clinical experience, as well as to keep my seniority when I start applying for a New Graduate Nurse RN position. By no means that I am picky when it comes to finding a job, any clinical nursing job will do for me. I have four years, as a LPN, working on a medical, surgical and long-term unit and now that I have forwarded my resume to Human Resources, I feel that HR and/or the managers do not consider LPN as nursing experience.

Three weeks ago I went for my first interview on a Transitional Care Unit, and one week later the manager informed me that I am not the right candidate for the position, so I asked for feedback. Of course, I would like to know what I said wrong and what I can improve upon for my next interview. What she said surprised me cause (in her opinion) as a LPN and New Graduate RN, I am lacking in some skills (e.g., blood transfusion, chest tubes, NG tubes, PICCs). I did explain to the manager how these skills are initiated by RNs and the LPNs Scope of Practise is to assess and notify/collaborate with the RNs when caring for patients requiring these type of treatments.

Sorry to vent, but I did not expect to find it this difficult to land a registered nurse position for the same company that I have been employed with for the past 9 years. I graduated from the BSN program in November 2013 and I am awaiting for the CRNE results at the moment. I am thankful that I maintained my registration with CLPNBC. That being said, is LPN not considered nursing experience when applying for a New Grad RN position? Any thoughts fellow LPNs/RNs??

[canuck-nurse]

I think there may be more to your story.

Could your leadership skills be an issue?

You might want this moved to the Canadian Forum for more feedback.

The manager mentioned that I do not have any experience being a charge nurse. As far as I know, LPNs are not able to be in charge in any medical or surgical floors. I did explain to the manager that my only experience of being a charge nurse was on a long-term care facility, and mind you this was during night shifts.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

You might want this moved to the Canadian Forum for more feedback.

Agreed. This thread has been moved to the Nursing in Canada forum to generate responses from nurses north of the border.

[canuck-nurse]

I was an LPN for 4 years before earning my RN license. In the local workforce I was considered a new grad RN with 4 years of LPN experience.

However, I must mention that geographic location matters. You, the OP, are in British Columbia, and I've heard that it is a brutal job market for nurses.

You are right about the brutal market here in BC. I have applied at different health authorities and I was lucky to land one interview during my job search. Unfortunately, this interview did not turn out the way I wanted it to be.

[vintage_RN, BSN, RN]

As an LPN you were responsible for verifying and monitoring the transfusion. The only real difference is now as an RN you are permitted to spike the bag.

So in AB an LPN can't "spike the bag?" That makes zero sense to me! What is so crazy about spiking the bag that an LPN isn't capable of doing it? Weird!!!

The only thing I'm not "allowed" to do on my floor is remove central lines...but my educator sent me for the CVAD class and said that RPNs can do them...but none of them on my floor will do it.

To the OP...sorry that your experience isn't being validated. When I become an RN, I sure hope my RPN experience is recognized because I do almost the exact same job. I'm not expecting to transition over seamlessly because I realize they are 2 different positions....but your experience should be taken into account. But it seems the scope of practice of an LPN is a lot different where you are.

[canuck-nurse]

The only thing I'm not "allowed" to do on my floor is remove central lines...but my educator sent me for the CVAD class and said that RPNs can do them...but none of them on my floor will do it.

To the OP...sorry that your experience isn't being validated. When I become an RN, I sure hope my RPN experience is recognized because I do almost the exact same job. I'm not expecting to transition over seamlessly because I realize they are 2 different positions....but your experience should be taken into account. But it seems the scope of practice of an LPN is a lot different where you are.

I was talking to one of my best friend, who works as a CML, and she used to work with the TCU manager who interviewed me, and those reasons did not make any sense to her either. She wanted to help me out by talking to the manager, but I told her that I wanted to earn a RN job on my own. Validating the reasons with the manager would be useless at this point. I guess it is just not meant to be.

[canuck-nurse]

The only thing I'm not "allowed" to do on my floor is remove central lines...but my educator sent me for the CVAD class and said that RPNs can do them...but none of them on my floor will do it.

To the OP...sorry that your experience isn't being validated. When I become an RN, I sure hope my RPN experience is recognized because I do almost the exact same job. I'm not expecting to transition over seamlessly because I realize they are 2 different positions....but your experience should be taken into account. But it seems the scope of practice of an LPN is a lot different where you are.

I was talking to one of my best friend, who works as a CML, and has worked with the TCU manager who interviewed me. The reasons the manager provided me did not make any sense to her either since this hospital deals with non life-threatening emergencies. The Urgent Care, known as their ER, is open daily from 0800-2200. Rarely will they receive patients requiring blood transfusion.

My friend wanted to help me out by talking to the manager, but I told her that I wanted to earn a RN job on my own. Validating the reasons with the manager would be useless at this point. I guess it is just not meant to be.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

BC is a brutal job market, so that's part of the problem, especially since you're in Vancouver. It all depends on the mindset of the nurse manager, in addition to your interview. Many managers would consider your experience as valid, some will not.

Frankly, I don't understand why LPN experience wouldn't be considered because you're still further ahead than a brand new grad RN if you've worked on a unit. The hands on skills can always be learned.