jobs & no jobs

U.S.A. California

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I keep reading posts about how some got jobs right away, others had to wait and then others simply over looked. I'm in the overlooked category. Is there a secret? or something i'm not doing right or missing? Im more than qualified for most positions/units but i get nothing except a few phone interviews & that's it. I'm bummed. And contemplating giving up on the LVN thing since it just doesn't seem to be working in my favor. Help help help please!!!

Specializes in med/surg/tele/LTC/homecare/correctional/.

I was guilty of falling for "the great nursing shortage" 12 yrs ago and enrolled in nursing school. It is sad to have to write this, because it may be discouraging to others who read it. I think it was all hype and propaganda with newspapers listing constant employment ads with high pay rates. When you see 2 full size pages of RN and LPN jobs advertised at $38-$55 per hour, it gets many people motivated to get into nursing school. I was at a time in my life where I had been laid off from a different career and entered nursing as an RN 10 yrs ago. With all good intentions, I really am a people person and enjoy helping others in need. But there never was a shortage, just a desire to mancrush the profession into a surplus of nursing so that hospitals and nursing homes can fire freely and pay **** wages.

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Specializes in med-surg, urgent care, emergency med.

There is something out there!!! and it found me!! I am working as a psych nurse in Highland, Ca. Is it what i want to do? no...but, i took the job. The DON loved my resume and military background and gave me the job right off. Psych is completely new to me, so i took the job as a way to get the experience. I'm still "shadowing" another LVN, until i get the hang of it, but all in all....things are going well and i should be on my own shortly. I will be a charge nurse, the only nurse on the unit with 45 beds. The CNA's are great too, they've helped me out more than i expected and the staff throughout the building generally get along very well.! Wish me luck and i will keep you all posted.

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Specializes in Acute Rehab, SCI, Clinic, HH, Med/Surg.
"I really do want to say **** it and throw in the towel and get a job that is beneath me just so i can attempt to put food on the table. "

I am only recently employed as an RN, but I had some of the same challenges as you. Finally I just decided to apply as a monitor tech. At my interview, I was completely honest in saying that I am trying to get my foot in the door so that I could eventually get an RN position. The next day they called and offered me the nurse job.

That is what worked for me. I was perfectly willing to work in any capacity, just to be there.

It is one option to consider.

I truly wish you good luck :)

Hoot

I did the same thing too. I was having such a hard time finding a job that I thought well it won't hurt and at least I can check out the units and get some exposure. I applied for a sitter position 1:1 at the hospital and at the interview was honest about how challenging it was to get an RN position but was willing to work as a sitter to get in the front door. The next day I was offered a staff RN position.

Another option is volunteering in the hospital. Try several hospitals, SNF and LTC. It will give you a chance to talk to the nurses/managers in the units and see whats going on and when a position might come up. You might even get at look at first before any outside applicant. These days you have to get creative and not give up.

Good luck and keep us posted!!

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I also am in the boat of New LVN that can not find a job. I have expanded my area of searching and have not even been offered an interview. I get frustrated that I see my friends that have graduated with, me all have job (great paying jobs at that). I have taken a job in the field I used to work in just to pay the bills. But that is not what I went to school for. Student loans have kicked in and it would make it a little better if I was working as an LVN. Please help with any advise. I live in the Riverside area. Thanks

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Specializes in med-surg, urgent care, emergency med.

Try psych/behavioral health facilities. They seem to have a high turnover of nurses and usually are always hiring because of that. With no experience, you will probably get in pretty easily because these facilities can't keep 'seasoned' nurses. You will gain experience and after a few months, you can look elsewhere, unless you find that you like psych. It's not what i really want, but, it gives me the experience to work as an LVN and it gets me a pay check. Look into Sun Healthcare's Sierra Vista rehab in Highland, Ca or Olive Vista.

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I'm a new grad but was very fortunate to get a job right away. I went out of my way to make a portfolio with my resume, cover letter, title page, mission statement, certifications and licenses, etc. I even had business cards made after I read about it. I joined a few organizations and started getting more certifications in the mean time including wound care and advanced IV care. Keep up your skills and good luck...things will start improving!

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Specializes in Ortho / Nuro / ICU Step Down.
"i really do want to say **** it and throw in the towel and get a job that is beneath me just so i can attempt to put food on the table. "

i am only recently employed as an rn, but i had some of the same challenges as you. finally i just decided to apply as a monitor tech. at my interview, i was completely honest in saying that i am trying to get my foot in the door so that i could eventually get an rn position. the next day they called and offered me the nurse job.

that is what worked for me. i was perfectly willing to work in any capacity, just to be there.

it is one option to consider.

i truly wish you good luck :)

hoot

i have tried everything! snf, ltc, monitor tech, cna, everything!!! have my bls, acls, and pals. still nothing. i have looked in riverside, la, orange and everyehere in between as well. it is all in who you know. i've said it before and i'll say it again. this profession is turning it's back on some amazing nurses! even had a nurse manager tell me that "having your bls, acls, pals and phlebotomy is no big deal because all new grads seem to come with them now." sometimes i wonder if the marketing for nursing was the second biggest scam to the public (next to real-estate) i love this profession! i have worked hard to become a registered nurse. it just saddens me that the profession seems to have been devalued to this point.:uhoh3:

.

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I'm a new grad but was very fortunate to get a job right away. I went out of my way to make a portfolio with my resume, cover letter, title page, mission statement, certifications and licenses, etc. I even had business cards made after I read about it. I joined a few organizations and started getting more certifications in the mean time including wound care and advanced IV care. Keep up your skills and good luck...things will start improving!

A portfolio is a great idea. Even better is a online portfolio, which can be sent via a link with a resume that is sent online. Sometimes you can't get a hard copy in front of those making the decision whether or not to give you an interview, so that gives them an opportunity to see it right away and makes you stand out from the crowd.

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