Graduated 2 yrs ago and trouble finding job in ca

U.S.A. California

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Im having trouble finding a job in los angeles as an LVN. I graduated in august 2008 and didnt take the test until april of 2009. I know that was a lot of time but my fear got the better of me but I did pass. Im a person who lets my fear keep me from trying. I honestly did not try to find a job until 2 months ago. I thought that getting a job would be easy since I keep hearing we are in high demand. But I was wrong once I noticed that I havent received a call for an interview. I been looking at hospitals, nursing and convalescent homes but still nothing. Not even my family who are lvn, rn, cna and rt can help me. I just dont have the experience and wasted my time. I feel stuck, and frustrated. I truly need advice on my next step. should I continue looking? my sister who is a cna tells me that I should become a cna and get a job soon as i graduate and then once a lvn position is open, I should jump at the chance. Im even considering moving to another state but not sure if I will have the same problem. Is there another state that truly is in demand for lvn? Did anyone else have the same problem?

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I'm still awaiting acceptance into a nursing program, but I'm fully aware of the current situation you are experiencing. I also live in CA and I know that I may possibly have to leave to another state to get experience. I'm not sure if the demand for new grad RNs will get better by the time I graduate...

I think you should pursue other opportunities in other areas, but you can look for a job first and do phone interviews before you actually move. You shouldn't only limit yourself to jobs in CA. Maybe you can do some volunteer work to beef up your resume since you may have lost some essential nursing practices.

I hope you don't have to get employed as CNA with an RN title. I surely would not want to do that. Good Luck and be persistent! :)

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Im having trouble finding a job as an LVN. I graduated in august 2008 and didnt take the test until april of 2009. I know that was a lot of time but my fear got the better of me but I did pass. Im a person who lets my fear keep me from trying. I honestly did not try to find a job until 2 months ago. I thought that getting a job would be easy since I keep hearing we are in high demand. But I was wrong once I noticed that I havent received a call for an interview. I been looking at hospitals, nursing and convalescent homes but still nothing. Not even my family who are lvn, rn, cna and rt can help me. I just dont have the experience and wasted my time. I feel stuck, and frustrated. I truly need advice on my next step. should I continue looking? my sister who is a cna tells me that I should become a cna and get a job soon as i graduate and then once a lvn position is open, I should jump at the chance. Im even considering moving to another state but not sure if I will have the same problem. Is there another state that truly is in demand for lvn? Did anyone else have the same problem? any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

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Specializes in Legal, Ortho, Rehab.

Two months ago? Too short to give up. Have someone look over your resume, redo it, take a refresher class, IV cert class (if you haven't already), join a club, group, something, and get out there and network.

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Definitely keep looking. But if you are going to spend more money to get more training, you should get your RN degree rather than waste time with a CNA. That way you will be a new grad when looking for jobs without having a 2 year gap in your employment history. If you do pursue the RN degree, get a part-time job in a hospital doing anything you can so you will have your foot in the door when you do graduate.

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maybe you can try something prn...thats what i did. I started somewhere prn and when a lvn position opened up they offered it to me.

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thanks so much for the advice. You guys having giving me more ideas. I wanted to continue with my studies for rn but with the economy going sour I need to work and it seems getting my cna would be cheaper and faster that could also help me get working in a hospital. But Im definitely going to try harder redo my resume, network and be more persistent. Im very hopeful.

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Specializes in Dialysis, Home health.

Seems like if you didn't work for 2 years that you can suffer not working another year and do LPN-RN. It is more feasible that doing CNA and not using nursing skills at all. CNA work, in my opinion, will not prepare you or give you the experience neede to exercise your LPN knowledge. At all.

Some LPN- RN programs are only 11 months and you will definitely be more marketable that your current state, or even if you were to get a CNA posiiton. Besides, do you want to do CNA? I know you need the money but dang...souds like you aren't that motivated to be an actual nurse.

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Seems like if you didn't work for 2 years that you can suffer not working another year and do LPN-RN. It is more feasible that doing CNA and not using nursing skills at all. CNA work, in my opinion, will not prepare you or give you the experience neede to exercise your LPN knowledge. At all.

Some LPN- RN programs are only 11 months and you will definitely be more marketable that your current state, or even if you were to get a CNA posiiton. Besides, do you want to do CNA? I know you need the money but dang...souds like you aren't that motivated to be an actual nurse.

I have to agree with this. I don't see the CNA helping you toward your ultimate goal. Honestly, I think it's money down the drain. Obviously I don't know the details of your financial situation, but you haven't worked for 2 years and would not work during the time it would take to get the CNA, so why not just go a little longer and get the RN? I think you'll be much further ahead when all is said and done.

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Two months ago? Too short to give up. Have someone look over your resume, redo it, take a refresher class, IV cert class (if you haven't already), join a club, group, something, and get out there and network.

i would love to take a IV cert class but it is so damn expensive.

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Specializes in School LVN, Peds HH.

Have you looked into home health or private duty nursing? Thats where I had the best luck finding a job. I graduated in March '08, and passed the NCLEX in July '08. Another thing to try is talking to the DON where you want to work. Typically places don't hire lvn's with less than a year experience. But, if you can talk to the DON and tell them you're willing to work hard and that you're teachable, they're more likely to give you a shot.

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