HUGE RANT Since when does LPN experience not count for ANY kind of nursing experience

[missymis86]

Okay, I've gotta vent. I've recently graduated from RN school, taken my boards and I'm officially an RN. Before completeing my RN I was an LPN for over 3 years. I've also recently moved from Nashville to Philadelphia.

All that taken into consideration job hunting has been a complete nightmare. Just yesterday I talked to a nursing recruiter about jobs I had applied for and was told they only hired nurses with more then one year nursing experience - which by the way - it didn't say experience was needed on any of these posts. I replied I've been an LPN for over 3 years and now and working Per diem for an agency until I have something more permanent. She then replied thats not nursing experience.

**Another completely different post** Does anyone else find it pretty messed up that these "nursing recruiters" have never been nurses and have this black and white mentality....these are the people that filter which applications the nursing managers see.... you know, the ones who have been nurses?! Seems completely insane to me!! In my opinion they are missing out on some of the best nurses by weeding out those with LPN experience - I mean they could hire a new RN with LPN experience and cut orientation in half... do they not realize this?

I completely get that this is not "RN" experience but in Kentucky and Tennessee LPN experience was something. I've had many LPN friends get hired at a hospital fresh out RN school and their LPN experience is accounted for even in their pay. I also know different states do things differently. I'm just so frustrated I feel like I've taken so many steps backwards moving up here. It sucks!

Does anyone have any suggestions on how someone like me could get an interview?? I sound so bitter in this post and really I'm just frustrated, in a new state and wanting to be in a hospital. Should I apply for CNA jobs to get my foot in the door?? Advice!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Main Line Health

HUP/Penn Health

Jeff Health system

Mercy Health

All require BSN for new employees

Reading has been hiring as opened new unit per members. Lehigh Valley is BSN preferred.

Moved to our Pennsylvania Nursing for more member advice.

[missymis86]

thank you!!

[WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I THINK the issue may be the scope of practice of an LPN in Tennessee versus the scope of practice of an LPN in Pennsylvania. My understanding from dealing with LPNs in PA versus other states is that their scope here can be very limited compared to other states. Program requirements are also like opposite ends of the earth. One girl who worked for me compared being LPN here in PA as a glorified CNA and she was only allowed to pass meds her whole shift and possibly take some vitals. So that may be why a nurse recruiter does not see that as transferable "nursing experience." Perhaps some PA LPNs could chip in? I've never practiced as an LPN in this state, I've only had them work for me at an agency.

What I also do not think helps the situation is that you are an ADN in an area that is really only demanding BSN+ and a market that is so saturated, nurses are looking out-of-state for jobs. One of my friends just moved to North Dakota for this reason.

[june2009]

At UPMC my LPN experience did not count for anything but at the smaller outlying hospital I left to go work at it did count.

[Hopefulnursebetty]

I work for Main Line Health and their goal is to reach Magnet in a couple years. So that means they mainly want BSN. However, they are still hiring nurses with an ADN...I think it is certain departments as well.

[Raviepoo]

That is not my experience as an LPN. I do much more than passing meds and "glorified CNA" work. I'm IV certified. I work with trach's, tube feeds, wounds and IVs. There are a few things that the LPN scope excludes, but I can list them off using the fingers of one hand. It sounds as if the LPN you talked to works for an agency that doesn't allow their LPNs to do a whole lot. My agency throws us right into the fray.

That said, I have learned a ton in my RN program. I understand what I am doing and why I am doing it so much better than I did when I graduated LPN school.

I THINK the issue may be the scope of practice of an LPN in Tennessee versus the scope of practice of an LPN in Pennsylvania. My understanding from dealing with LPNs in PA versus other states is that their scope here can be very limited compared to other states. Program requirements are also like opposite ends of the earth. One girl who worked for me compared being LPN here in PA as a glorified CNA and she was only allowed to pass meds her whole shift and possibly take some vitals. So that may be why a nurse recruiter does not see that as transferable "nursing experience." Perhaps some PA LPNs could chip in? I've never practiced as an LPN in this state, I've only had them work for me at an agency.