Considering leaving nursing b/c of low job market for new grads

[keepitrealnurse]

Hi I am a new grad LPN that moved from Florida to Virginia to live with my husband. I have been putting in applications from the time I got here which was in December 2010 to the present day. I have recieved 2 interviews and no calls from the rest. I have let other nurses look over my resume and they say that there is nothing wrong with it and I have practiced mock interviews to make sure that I make a good impression. But so far no luck my qualifications didnt meet the companies need on one job and the other job didnt even call me back. I'm just tired of being out of a job and feeling like a bum. I joined this career because I love helping ppl and know there are a huge demand for nurses. But where is the huge demand? I feel some of the companies are wrong for not even letting you know if you are considered or not. All I get is a if we you are considered for the position we will call you line. Shaking my head.....I am about done with this game I feel like a fool wasting all that time and money I have to pay back in school loans:jester::jester: I just feel so discouraged right now and have no other ideas. I'm tired of calling and going to facilities and practically begging for a job. If they needed someone so badly for a position then why have it opened for months on end???? I dont get it you have ppl coming to you for this position, at least hire someone qualified for the position and put the rest of us out of our misery!!!! Sorry if I have depressed you but thats how I feel now :crying2: This nurse is going to blow out her nurses candle and take off her nurses hat. This career is obviously not where its at for me......

[pnmia10]

I feel your pain. I too passed my pn boards in Dec. 2010. I have applied everywhere within a25 mile radius from my home ever since.Not a call back to date. I'm also considering leaving the nursing game. I thought to myself well maybe if I had a bsn I would be marketable but reading others post s proved otherwise. Experienced nurses are the ones in demand.

[caliotter3]

If you're referring to me, honestly I don't know. I've been applying for everything from grocery to auto parts store assistant managers and I may apply to any production job that may pay enough. What really has me interested right now though is a new company that came into the area that does IT stuff. They have a program at the local community college for computer programming that they hire from if you pass their interview and aptitude tests and pass the program. It will be a lot of work, but sounds like a very good place to get into. I have practically no knowledge of IT right now, but it sounds like it will soon be in all areas of life including health care. I'm pretty good with computers and something like this could'nt hurt, but then again my accounting degree went nowhere and now possibly nursing may be a dead end also.

You could make this sort of career mesh with a nursing career in the future by going into nursing informatics. Good choice if you can get it.

[2ndcareerchange]

I have to say, I just found out some news at church today that unearthed me. The local Lincoln Tech has approval now to get students thru the LPN program in 12 months. I went to the state program and it was 18 months plus the summer off... every 12 months a class of 60 LPNs x 5 schools is just more that my little state can handle. I too am feeling like I need to either move up to RN or get out of the nursing game. I have not received a phone call, I have been emailed back to say (which I really appreciated) i didn't have enough experience for the job I applied too. But really no hits on jobs. My classmates that found jobs are either part time or per diem. I really hope things turn around for the LPN, but its looks bleak. Another thing is the Medical Assistants... I feel the only thing that separates me from them is the fact i can pass meds... but its a close call... they can draw blood, my curriculm didn't teach that and they know some coding... again no coding... and right now I feel like I need all the advantages I can get.

The Med Assistants also have a national group speaking for them, as I dont really see that for the LPN. Please let me know if I am wrong so I can join and support them. Anyway, I hope we find something....

[crissco1985]

What city and state are you trying to apply for LVN job in?

[nursingsfuture]

I feel exactly the same way. I have been licensed since July 2010 and still no LPN job. However I am blessed to have a job. It does not pay well and it at a call center. It is very discouraging to keep putting your resume out there and going on interviews with no callback. I know that I need to get back in school and ultimately receive my RN but by the looks of things, it is a waste of time and money. Lets face it, if u have no experience, facilities/companies are not willing to hire u. This is very frustrating but nursing is my heart. I couldn't picture myself being happy doing anything else but the bills need to be paid and I can't withstand another loan right now. I just pray that something comes through for me and soon. I will pray for u too

[guest2210]

if you have any experience using the emr at your local hospitals from your clinical time, you may be ahead of the game. agencies across the country are looking for licensed personnel to train or support clinical staff in hospitals and doctors offices as they implement these soon-to-be-federally-mandated electronic health record programs. try it...you might like it.

[TheMoonisMyLantern, LPN, RN]

I'm currently working on pre-reqs for the RN program local to where I live. Luckily I am employed but I too am on the fence about whether or not to change careers. I love nursing, but it has changed so much just in the short amount of time that I've been licensed that I'm not sure if I want to experience what the future has in store for our profession. Best of luck to you!

[Leonardo Del Toro, RN]

I think that if nursing is really what you always wanted to do stay in nursing. Just know that when you finish nursing school there may be a long period of time where you will be looking for work. I think eventually everyone will get a job, if you are young you can live at your parents it might be a good idea to stick around. I think it takes an average of 2 years to lend a job, some people gets it quick and some will suffer. No one knows how long this "non" nursing shortage will last.

[Bebet39]

Its really sad to hear all these stories; its sad to see what's going on in America now. People are to school because we are told that education is very important, but this sounds like a nightmare. I've been an LPN for like 14 years and I can't find work either. Unfortunately, I live in Florida where every thing here has always been so slow. Its who you know around here. I just don't agree with the fact that one must go to school and accumulate unwanted debt and then you can't get away from this. How are people supposed to pay all these students loans back when there's no jobs. Experience might be important, but everybody have to eat and live somewhere. Its not right when the schools know that their graduates won't be able to find employment after graduation and yet still expect a person to enroll in a program. This is not ethical!

Everyday I see all these schools popping up all over the place charging anywhere from $35,000 to $40,000 for an associate degree in nursing; and of course, one must make a monthly payment on top of the fact that you just took out loans to pay for this program. The typical ASN program may be 12-14 months long ($35,000). What make it so bad is the one can take the same program at the community college for $6,000. And they know folks aren't getting employed after graduation that fast. Sometimes you're forced to get a job in another field-a job that you don't even like just to pay the bills.

Well people, the only thing I can suggest is don't get yourself in anymore debt!