Can't find a job! No job opportunities!

Crush · Feb 28, 2018

Guys she wants to know what to do about now, I'm sure she'll need to find a job, regardless if she decides to go back for RN. Don't feel bad about having your LVN. As you've probably seen on this site there are a few that love to go on the LPN/LVN corner just to ask why you wasted your time and how you'll be phased out and when are you going back for RN. There are jobs out there. The key is to go where you will get the most clinical experience within our scope. Some of these members think LVN/LPN is a waste of time, many talk about our jobs being phased out. There are facilities that will never phase out our title and license and i promise you it's rewarding! Look for skilled nursing facilities- the ones that are attached to retirement homes. I don't know your state but in CT examples are Masonicare, Atria living, Benchmark senior living, google these places. Places like this pay the most, and they are pickier about who they admit and take pride in their facilities. Walk your resume into these places and ask to speak with the DNS or staff development/ infection control nurse as they often are the people that do the hiring and training. If they are not available leave them a message and say you dropped off your application and resume are impressed with their facility and would like the opportunity to see if you are a good fit. Avoid 9-10am because all department heads will be in morning report. Offer to stay if you can to meet someone. Call back if you dropped off. Dress to impress. It took me 6 months to find the right fit. My first nursing home paid me 29.50 with shift differential. I drove about 40 min to get there. You do what you got to do to get the experience. My current job is right around the corner from where I live and pays me 26.75. I love it. There's no need to work for peanuts as a clinic nurse. You won't learn anything there and if they are willing to take you OR an MA then that's not a job for you. Your a nurse and deserve respect for the skill set you were trained for. Get back out there.

I don't think anyone was being disrespectful to the OP. Opinions were offered. I started out as a LPN working med-surg in a hospital ( we were being phased out but a few of us were grandfathered in to continue as LPNs ). In some areas, LPNs are being utilized in acute care again but this is few and far between.

I don't see where anyone said getting a LPN/LVN was a waste of time. The jobs available in her area are ones she does not want, therefore, the option may be to continue her education in order to work in an area she wants.

Totally agree we all deserve respect. And if continuation of ones education is not possible at this time, then yes, someone may need to take what is available while looking for what they want.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Feb 28, 2018

Check dialysis

caliotter3 · Feb 28, 2018

Cold calling any employer is not likely to get a response of "hey, come on down this afternoon, we have a job waiting just for you" response. I walk into places ready to interview. If they want to hire me, I usually get a job on the spot. One time the receptionist walked away from the desk for a few and a lady walked by the door, looking at me. After I filled out the application, she interviewed me. Give the employers a chance to look you and your application over and you might get a result. This tactic works for home health agencies and some long term care facilities that do not force the applicant to apply online. Get more involved with the process for better possible results.

Cream and sugar LPN · Feb 28, 2018

The job(s) you're advising her to go after are exactly what she states she doessn't want. That's why people are advising her to continue her education.
Some areas are much worse for LPNs than others. The little hospital I work for had several "grandfathered" LPNs who'd been there 10-30 years, each. They laid them all off with only two weeks notice late last year in favor of an all RN staff.

My suggestions stem from her recent post stating she just had an interview with a SNF and held off in the past applying to such places due to nerves and lack of floor experience

Cream and sugar LPN · Feb 28, 2018

I don't think anyone was being disrespectful to the OP. Opinions were offered. I started out as a LPN working med-surg in a hospital ( we were being phased out but a few of us were grandfathered in to continue as LPNs ). In some areas, LPNs are being utilized in acute care again but this is few and far between.
I don't see where anyone said getting a LPN/LVN was a waste of time. The jobs available in her area are ones she does not want, therefore, the option may be to continue her education in order to work in an area she wants.
Totally agree we all deserve respect. And if continuation of ones education is not possible at this time, then yes, someone may need to take what is available while looking for what they want.

I did not state that anyone on this post said LVN is a waste of time, rather I said some people on this SITE have been known to take that stance. And if you've been here long enough, you already know this. My advice came after reading her newest post stating she was scared in the past and was happy to say she got an interview after shying away from SNF. I'm not sure why you took my post personally and felt inclined to defend yourself.

allnurses Guide · Feb 28, 2018

Did you research the job market for LVNs before becoming one? It is a little foolish, to be honest, to state you did not become an LVN to work at a SNF when that is the primary employer of LVNs across the nation.

Return to school and earn your RN to open more doors. Also look at MD offices, schools, community health, prisons, flu clinics and rural hospitals. You may have some luck, but recognize that competition for non-SNF jobs for an LVN will be fierce, since you aren't the only one feeling this way.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Feb 28, 2018

"I hate this, this situation has made me feel extremely depressed. Why did I even go to school?

I never imagined I'd be in this situation. Freaken sucks! My life/career/education is just going to waste!"

This demeanor is coming through loud and clear during interviews.

Best wishes.

Sour Lemon · Feb 28, 2018

My suggestions stem from her recent post stating she just had an interview with a SNF and held off in the past applying to such places due to nerves and lack of floor experience

Well, if you're responding to a different thread with contradictory information, that explains a lot.

bugya90, ASN, BSN, LVN, RN · Feb 28, 2018

Seriously?! Speaking as a former LVN, you need to do whatever it takes to get some experience. I worked in a nursing home for 6 months and then landed a job in a family med clinic where I stayed for 6 years before I got my RN. Most clinics and home health companies are not going to even interview someone with no experience (at least in my area). I highly suggest you get over whatever it is about LTC that you are so opposed to. It's really not that bad and I even enjoyed some parts of it, only reason I left was due to moving and get lucky enough to land a clinic job with Mon-Fri hours. LTC continues to be the main employer for LPNs/LVNs in this country. If you really did not understand that prior to going into a LPN program and did not figure that out during your program, then that is on you. Sorry to sound harsh but you are a new grad with no experience, you don't have the luxury of being picky. Either take a job that you can get or stay unemployed.

jjsiegal · Jul 7, 2018

Seriously?! Speaking as a former LVN, you need to do whatever it takes to get some experience. I worked in a nursing home for 6 months and then landed a job in a family med clinic where I stayed for 6 years before I got my RN. Most clinics and home health companies are not going to even interview someone with no experience (at least in my area). I highly suggest you get over whatever it is about LTC that you are so opposed to. It's really not that bad and I even enjoyed some parts of it, only reason I left was due to moving and get lucky enough to land a clinic job with Mon-Fri hours. LTC continues to be the main employer for LPNs/LVNs in this country. If you really did not understand that prior to going into a LPN program and did not figure that out during your program, then that is on you. Sorry to sound harsh but you are a new grad with no experience, you don't have the luxury of being picky. Either take a job that you can get or stay unemployed.

This seems like the logical approach. Take the Job you can get, and then make moves to get a better one.

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 7, 2018

Check dialysis

In my area, in dialysis, LPNs are not used much. Mostly as patient care technicians. They can't work as nurses independently on the floor. They always have to have an RN on the unit with them so they can't open or close the unit, which is not helpful. Nurse managers in dialysis tend not to hire LPNs as they can hire a PCT to what PCTs (sadly, cheaply) do, and they can't use an LPN independently as a nurse. LPNs do work in dialysis, but in my area, they don't tend to be hired, but rather, have been around a very long time and are "grandfathered" in their positions.

As an LPN you are being a pit picky about what you want to do OP. It sounds like you did not do enough research about what LPNs are able to do when you went to school. You are a new grad and an LPN. You don't have the luxury to be so picky. Even as an RN, as a new grad, I didn't either. I had to take what I was offered.

You should go ahead and get your associate's degree, become an RN, and open up more doors for yourself.

FloridaBeagle · Jul 7, 2018

Is moving an option? Lots of LPN jobs where I lived in Minnesota.