Confused lpn

[Lpn84]

Hello everyone. I really need your advice guys. So here is the story, i graduated lpn school 4 years ago, and only worked with agency, for about 3 months as school nurse. so little to no experience as Lpn. The main thing that held be back was fear. I suffer from social anxiety and that didn't make it easier. So basically the whole 4 years i didn't apply to many places because of fear that i wouldn't be good enough ,and would get fired. So i keep telling myself that i should study everything over agin on my own and then apply. So here i am 4 years later , and haven't used my license. So basically my question is what should i do now? Should i take refresher course? Do you think anyone will hire me with no experience after having my licensee for four years? I would really appreciate any feedback.

[LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN]

Well this is difficult to answer depending on your location and how saturated the nursing market is. Will it be easy? No but it shouldn't be impossible. I graduated back in 2008 when jobs were hard to come by and I was pregnant so I never had a chance. I didn't end up get a job until early 2010 because I had been out of school so long people were unwilling to take me on. BUT, as I said, this was when the job market was really bad. Is your license still active? If so, I would start applying to LTC/SNF. Be willing to take whatever is offered even if it's PRN. In your interviews, tell them you have been review meds and lab values, and that your eager and ready to work. But, your stumbling block will be is when they ask you why exactly you have not been working as an LPN. I wouldn't come out and say social anxiety because that could be a red flag that you may quit etc. Can you think of another way to position your time off?

[andreasmom02]

I actually have a very similar situation. I'm 35, and a mom of two. I graduated LPN school in '07, got my license in '08, but BARELY worked as an LPN because I'm a SAHM. I also realized that I didn't care much for the "hands on" nursing care. I worked very briefly in a nursing home, urgent care, and a dermatology practice before deciding hands on LPN work wasn't for me. I also suffer from marked panic attacks, and they were worse when I was working on the floor as a nurse. I decided since I didn't care much for floor nursing, my panics attacks were worse as a nurse, and I'm a SAHM, I decided to go in to medical coding. I just finished my first semester of medical coding and LOVE it! Wish I'd done it sooner. I've decided I'm more of a desk person, and my LPN will come in handy for coding. :) Have you thought about maybe using your LPN towards another career such as coding, medical transcription, etc.? A refresher course might be best since you've been out of it a while and haven't worked much if you really want to work as a nurse. Best wishes, hope everything works out well for you!