Are LVNs having hard time finding jobs?

kat7ap · Dec 3, 2008

There was a thread recently about that:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f99/lpn-lvns-dying-breed-215351.html

I have never had any problems with finding employment, however many hospitals have either been cutting back on LVNs, firing them, or just not hiring any period. There are many other different places for LVNs to work besides the hospital.

bectex · Dec 4, 2008

Thank you! That's exactly what I was looking for!

Lexxie, LPN · Dec 4, 2008

I had an interview last week at a rehab hospital. I did not get the job d/t "no rehab experience".

Otherwise the hospitals in my area do not hire LPNs period.

mume2mykidz · Dec 4, 2008

well here in South Jersey yes I am having a heck of a time finding employment...maybe it's because it's the end of the year???but my 22,000 loan will be in soon ughhh

CapeLPN · Dec 4, 2008

I live in MA - and had a hard time finding a job not in a long-term care facility. I knew it would be a challenge though, b/c hospitals here are not hiring LPNs anymore (ones that have been there a long time are 'grand-fathered' in), but some of the rehab hospitals and drug rehab facilities hire LPNs. I got a job with my local hospice in a 10-bed facility and I love it! My aunt lives in FL though and works as an RN and she told me that they hire LPNs in her hospital (but not all) - so I'm sure it's different everywhere you go. I want to go on to at least get my RN but most likely to get my NP and instead of waiting for the wait list for my local community college to do the RN I opted for LPN so I could gain experience and get paid to work in the field. From what I've heard LPNs who go on to do the local LPN -> RN program do exceptionally well b/c they have so much hands-on experience.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

mume2mykidz · Dec 4, 2008

Hospice is one thing I want to do but none of the agency's are hiring right now,LTC is only hiring Per Diem,I did have 2 places that would hire 3-11 but NJ is so slow with my actual license{took nclex the 13th and found out the 16th and recieved a letter from state on the 18th,they said it should be here in 10 days and today is number 10(working days)the 2 jobs will not accept anything but the green paper..so we shall see

caliotter3 · Dec 4, 2008

I haven't had much trouble finding work as long as I was applying at LTC facilities or home health agencies. However, no hospital ever gave me the time of day. I did have trouble finding work in the SF Bay area due to lack of jobs all the way around. I found work when I moved away. I've posted before that for almost 20 years I have noticed that RN positions outnumber LVN positions on the employment website at the rate of 12 to 1. Get your LVN and strongly consider going on for an RN license. You will maximize your opportunity for work by becoming an RN.

lnewman128 · Dec 4, 2008

I haven't had much trouble finding work as long as I was applying at LTC facilities or home health agencies. However, no hospital ever gave me the time of day. I did have trouble finding work in the SF Bay area due to lack of jobs all the way around. I found work when I moved away. I've posted before that for almost 20 years I have noticed that RN positions outnumber LVN positions on the employment website at the rate of 12 to 1. Get your LVN and strongly consider going on for an RN license. You will maximize your opportunity for work by becoming an RN.

How long ago were you looking for work in SF Bay Area? Moving out of area is NOT an option!!! I am in desperate need of guidance. I am about to start an LVN program in a month and am scared I will put A LOT of $ out and won't be able to find a job to support myself and my children after graduating. I 110% plan to get my RN ASAP after but 99% of LVN-RN programs require work experience before acceptance. Where do LVN's look for work? Any light you could shed would be huge! I am having deep anxiety about this!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 4, 2008

LVN positions remain abundant in my metro area of residence (Dallas-Fort Worth, TX).

caliotter3 · Dec 4, 2008

lnewman

I'm sorry, but if you do some reading on this site you will find many posts and even entire threads devoted to the difficulty in finding nursing jobs in the SF Bay area. Even RNs go without, particularly new grads. There just aren't that many openings. It has been that way for a very, long time. I left almost two years ago. Prior to that I was unemployed the entire year of 2005 and for most of 2004 and 2006. I ran through my savings and gave up. My advice to you is to start planning now. Get a CNA certificate on the way to LVN. Get work as a CNA or PCT or HHA, at a hospital or for an agency or in a nursing home. That is getting your foot in the door. When you are in school, go out of your way to talk to and impress people at your clinical sites. Ask about jobs and opportunities after graduation. Many posts state that people were able to get jobs at clinical sites where they favorably impressed the nurse managers. This is a tried and true way to get jobs. Sorry I can't offer you any better picture of the situation. It is just hard in SF. Everybody wants to work there. Including me. Good luck.

texasg67 · Dec 16, 2008

No it will not be hard to find a job. I just graduated from CTC and I applied for a job and about 2 days later I got a call back from scott and white in Temple. There are jobs out there!