Cannot find RN job

[Tortoiseshell]

I have been working as an LPN for over 2 years, and became an RN in July of this year. I have been looking for an RN job for over 2 months now, while still working as an LPN. There are no RN positions at my current job.

I went to 3 interviews so far.

At 2 jobs they wanted me to have at least 1 year of RN experience. They do not count LPN experience, so I am considered a new grad.

One of the agencies I interviewed at did not require any experience. They were looking for an LPN or RN. I felt that I was well qualified for that job, because I am an RN, and I have over 2 years of experience in nursing. I thought I did great during the interview. I was extremely surprised when I did not receive a phone call from them. I waited for a week, called the supervisor who interviewed me, and left him a message saying that I am interested in a job. He has not called me back. I waited for few more days, called again, and he answered the phone. He said:"That is funny, I was just going to call you. You will need to come for a 2nd interview. I will give you information to a manager, and he will contact you to schedule an interview." No one ever called me. I feel so bad. I feel like I have been lied to. Like I was begging for that job, and they did not even bother to let me know that I was not chosen.

There is only 1 hospital in my area, and there are no positions for new grads right now.

I feel like all of this is affecting my self esteem. I have done tremendous amount of work to get my RN degree, considering that I did not even speak English 10 years ago. And now I feel so disappointed and not needed.

[Valerie Salva, BSN, RN]

(((((Toirtoiseshell)))))

I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. I think the media has really exagerated the shortage situation. Keep on trying.

[labdad1234RN]

Must be really frustrating. Have you considered relocating? There are jobs out there but you may want to look at the "employment" landscape as a whole. I know in my part of the U.S. RN's are being hired by the hospitals. Good luck in your job search and don't dismay, sooner or later, you will get that right job.

[lunden]

detroit, mi. has a nursing shortage going on right now. are you able to relocate?

[cagoulet]

It's true there's a shortage of nurses generally -- but not every area is affected the same way. Here in California, some areas (mostly rural) are suffering while others (like the San Francisco Bay Area and LA) are over saturated.

You might have to move or commute to another town to get experience. If that's not possible, make an appointment to talk to a hiring manager at the closest couple of hospitals (the one in your town and the next closest one). Talk to them about the vacancies they have and what you need to bring to the table to be considered. Talk to one of your nursing school instructors. She might be able to help you tone up your resume to highlight all that you can offer an employer.

Can you work as an LPN while you're looking for an RN job? Is there a skilled care facility close? Don't overlook anything.

Above all, don't give up!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Just out of curiousity -- How can you "work as an LPN" if you're an RN -- I mean from a legal standpoint.

You HAVE to fulfill RN licensure expectations and standards-- clinical judgement, accountability, etc - no matter what your employer says. So, basically, they're getting an RN for LPN wages, right?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Your inability to find an RN job might be related to the slumping economy. Although it sometimes seems as if we're discreet little units, we fit somewhere into the larger society as a whole. Contrary to popular belief, nursing is NOT recession-proof. And yes, the economy is currently entering a recession that might turn out to be long and protracted.

During the economic recession of the early 1990s, it was common for some nurses to remain unemployed for 6 months or longer as they sought employment. This protracted job market glut persisted deeply into the middle 1990s before easing in the late 1990s.

Part-time nurses find full-time nursing jobs during recessions to pay the bills when a breadwinner spouse loses his/her job without notice. A large number of retired nurses are reactivating their nursing licenses and returning to the nursing workforce in droves due to the high costs of food and fuel, and the effects of shrinking retirement portfolios that have lost a massive amount of money.

In other words, you're competing for RN jobs with the part-timers who are suddenly becoming full-time, and the retirees who are re-entering the workforce out of necessity.

[Tortoiseshell]

Thank you everyone for the support.

I cannot relocate due to a family situation.

I am currently working as an RN in an LPN position, and being paid as an LPN. The agency I am working for is not required to have an RN, and I don't blame them for not paying me a higher salary just because I received an RN degree. Just like any business they are trying to save the money.

I see a lot of LPN jobs in a local newspaper, but not too many RN jobs. Most of advertised jobs are in doctor's offices, and getting such job would not benefit my career in a long term. It seems like many good jobs require at least 1 year of medsurg experience.

I applied for an RN position at local ambulatory surgery center. The ad did not say anything about required level of experience, just said "looking for RN". An HR person called me and invited me to an interview. I was interviewed by a nurse manager, who was acting very arrogant and cocky.

When I applied for this position, I clearly indicated on my resume and application that I have 2.5 years of experience as an LPN and became an RN in July of this year. During the interview the nurse constantly tried to minimize my nursing experience and belittle me. She said "An RN would have to assist with procedures like liver biospy. Do you even know what a liver biopsy is?" Of course I know what a liver biopsy is. She said: "basically all you do at you current job is passing the meds". And that was not true either. At my current job I do so much more than "just passing meds". My current job duties were clearly described in my resume as well. I wonder if she even read my resume, since an HR invited me to this interview.

The nurse kept talking down to me, saying things like:"You are so young (she is probably of my age), so new. You should go work at the hospital". I did not come to that interview for a career advice.

I don't understand what that nurses problem was. Why would anyone need to attack a person at the interview just because I am a new grad. I might be a new grad, but I am not a total dummy. I am an "A" student, have very high GPA, and a very fast learner.

And I was not trying to convince anyone that I was a right person for the job. That is why I came to the interview, to determine if we would be a good fit for each other.

I definitely would not want to work with someone like this nurse.

[lunden]

wow, i hope u find something real soon. working as an lpn when u have rn status has really gotta suck. and that person who interviewed you, well i wouldn't wanna work for her anyway. is it a way she can be reported? she sounds awful