A good job for a new LPN

Lainie B · Jan 21, 2008

what would be a good recommended job for a new grad?

hi sarah, keep up the good work studying!

as a lvn grad aug. 07, i found in texas small towns that ltc jobs are more plentiful. i also found out when i put my resumes out that many hospitals (even in austin) will not hire new grads. i worked as a tech at a hospital while going to school, but when i graduated, they said, 'thanks for your work, but we don't hire new grad lvn's'

personally, i was ok with in in the end, cuz ltc in the dementia unit is less stresful. and i reason that being in school is stressful enough, i don't need more!

-laine

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2008

I'm moving this thread to the LPN Corner with the goal of increasing the rate of responses.

BayouLPN · Jan 22, 2008

LTC is probably going to be your best 1st job. Around here, hospitals do hire new grads, but the guy at Wal-mart makes almost as much per hour!:angryfire I personally feel this is outrageous because we go to school, get the education, and are underpaid in the hospital setting. I don't think we should make as much as an RN...The go to school longer and have more responsibility...often performing tasks we are not legally able to. I believe firmly that if I had not been insulted with the offer of $12.38/hr. I would have gone hospital first. In an LTC...you learn time management, good assessment, you learn your meds and some skills. AND don't forget patience...dementia will teach you patience you never thought you had. Another option is a Dr. office. I have a friend who went that route...another low-payer but no weekends, no holidays, She has learned a different skill set than I did. But she loves her job and has no intention of entering another field. I would suggest you put your feelers out. Think about clinicals....which rotation were you excited to go to and which ones made you sick at your stomach when you got up. Then you will have a good idea where to start seeking employment. Every new grad will tell you the first few months in any field are scary, disorienting, and downright nerve-wracking no matter what job you except. Also, everyone I have ever talked to says..."Get at least one year of Med/Surg in...then you will have your pick of jobs" While not specific, I hope this helps in some way.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 22, 2008

I think that initially, you have to consider what LPN opportunities are in your area. If they are plentiful, then, it is about finding your niche. There are advantages and disadvantages for every nursing position. I work in a clinic. It is fantastic for me because I am off weekends and all major holidays. I worked in this same clinic as an aide, so, I was familiar with the employees and sort of had an idea of what LPNs have been doing because I witnessed them for years. I have predictable days off, so it is easier to work another gig without interfering with my main job. The disadvantages is that I get no bedside experience, and if I need time off during the week, I have to schedule it. I decided to work the 'late clinic', where I am due in at either 10:30 or 12:00 noon, so, I have time for banking, clinic appointments, and networking at other agencies without my current job being aware. I usually have things lined up for my weekends. I am about to work med-surg per diem for my bedside experience at the same hospital I am working in. This took a long time in coming, because I had to learn their computerized charting and pyxis for the floors and it was hard for me to arrange time to actually go receive this training because of my rigid schedule. I am trying to be as well rounded as possible so that if I decide to seek another position, I can say that I am a community, home health and vaccination nurse (things I have done so far) as well as including the med-surg and ER experience. However, I will NEVER permanently leave clinics. I don't care for working the floors that often. It is often harder for nurses to return to school that work in clinics, because most of the RN programs (and some other programs) are given during the day.

Those that work the floors are subject to mandatory overtime, alternate and 1/2 weekends, scheduled days to work are changed monthly, so it may be hard to plan further in advance than a month. Also, many newbies working the floors or long term care have to work nights (and this is a problem for some single moms, married women or those who just don't adjust to night time working). But, they are getting bedside experience such as hanging IVs, doing dressings, inserting foleys, participate in codes, a different type of collaboration with the physicians and flexible schedules. This may be ideal if you plan to pursue further education, though. Many nurses work double shifts for weekends, leaving their week free to study and attend classes.

Home care is great, but usually it is better off when the nurse has some bedside experience, because you are working independently. You are alone of the patient goes into crisis, and there is not always a readily available person to guide you if you panic. But, even an LPN can be more autonomous in the home setting. You can be more flexible when administering medications and treatments; say the meds are due at 9:00am and the patient wants a shower. You can probably give them at 9:30 or even 10:00 as long as the patient is not in crisis, and there is no one there to ride you about that. It is more relaxing, you can give better care to one patient rather than several, and you can promote a positive patient-nurse relationship. The negative can be family dynamics, cleanliness of the home (eg; roaches and vermin, not enough food in the house, etc). Familes may try and take advantage by requesting that you babysit their kids (who may not be your clients), doing major housekeeping, not having available meds in the home, or trying to get you to pay for their medications when going to the pharmacy with the promise of "I'll pay you later" (this almost happened to me once-but I told them that my pay is for my pockets, not theirs).

Finally, really, many nurses accept the position of the first place that offers to hire them as new grads. If your community has facilities that are leery in hiring new grads, you may have to take the first thing offered for a time.

Right now, you will be rotating to different areas in nursing school and different clinical sites. If something appears interesting to you, start to inquire. Some facilities take the chance and hire a new grad if they had clinicals in their facility. Good luck!

Ecpi Raleigh 07/09 · Jul 9, 2009

Thanks...this information was really helpful~;)