does LPN experience count while looking for first RN job?

[WesF]

I wonder if in the world of hiring managers my experience as LPN means anything while I am looking for my first RN job.

I worked on Med-Surg as LPN for 3 years. It is a small, rural hospital but it still counts, right? Cardiac pts., orthopedic pts., ACLS cert., floating to ER and ICU, and all other goodies. I did everything except maybe admissions and spiking bags with blood:smokin:. Now, when I go through job ads, it looks like no one will talk to me unless I can show at least 1 year of RN experience . I'm not really afraid of being GN and start all over again, as I am always open to learn, but those positions seem to be highly competitive and placement seems to depend more on luck than anything else.

What I am actually trying to find out here is: should I try to pledge my case while applying for position requiring experience, or everything goes strictly by the rules outlined in the ads.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Is LVN experience equivalent to RN experience? Technically, no. Both are nursing experience and there are a lot of duties that LVNs and RNs share...but 3 years' LVN experience will not automatically substitute for 3 years' RN experience. The scopes of practice are different enough.

That being said...many employers will take LVN experience into account. Some use crazy formulas to come up with a RN-equivalent in experience. Others take it into consideration and may be more willing to take a gamble on you as a new grad RN because you have LVN experience and aren't exactly starting from scratch. And unfortunately, a few facilities are very strict on the RN experience rule, as a classmate of mine (a LVN with 19 years' experience!) found out: her current facility would not hire her into a RN position unless she had a year of RN experience. She took a second job as a RN at a LTC to get that experience.

Since you really won't know until you apply...I would apply to the experienced positions and definitely plead your case. The way I see it, you have nursing experience that is still valuable, and would make you a better applicant than a new grad who hasn't a day of experience in his life.

Or do what my classmate had to do and find a job in LTC/SNF/rehab or other areas where they're more likely to hire LVN-RNs or new grad RNs, and get your year there.

Or option 3: have you tried looking for RN positions in your current facility? Being an internal hire with a proven track record may make them willing to take a chance on you.

Best of luck!

[libran1984, ASN, RN]

Most hospitals in my area (the indianapolis region) grant you half of your LPN experience as RN experience as long as those years were spent in a hospital setting. So if you worked 6 years as an LPN in a hospital, you are granted three years of RN experience.

[WesF]

Thanks you both for encouraging answers. Personally, my situation is not tragic, as my current employer appears to be eager to have me as RN. I just crave for more experience, diversity and educational opportunities. I guess, I would have to be bold and use my charms when questions about on-job experience arise.