Fed up with licensure requirements.

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Specializes in TCU, LTC, Home Health.

Perhaps that is not the best way to express what I am about to say, but let me give some background. I am about to graduate my LPN program in a month. I have started to call around about jobs, and have submitted a few resumes just to get the ball rolling. However, I live in Kentucky, and recently the board of nursing decided that a graduate PN must complete 120 hrs of hands on nursing before being allowed to sit for the boards. Now, this wouldn't bother me so much, and didn't, but I have called around to several Long Term Care facilities (all the hospitals in my area do not hire LPNs, or only want ones with one year of experience) and they all tell me "we'd love to interview you, but we can't even talk to you until you have a license". I can't get a license if I can't do my 120 hrs! The facilities explained to me that they had no set way of paying graduate nurses, so could therefore, not hire them.

I really need a job and have pretty relaxed standards, as I just want to get my foot in the door. Does anyone have any advice or experience with this?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Wow this sucks! I'd call the BON and find out exactly what they want. Are you supposed to work as a CNA perhaps? That would be a pain but unless you are moving out of state I guess you are stuck doing what the BON dictates. Good luck.

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Specializes in TCU, LTC, Home Health.

Nope, the board of nursing is very clear about their requirements- however they enacted this requirement so fast several facilities haven't figured out a way to integrate graduate nurses into their staffing. In the hospitals here (I work at one), a new grad is called an RNA (RN applicant) and they are basically oriented in the course of their 120 hrs, take on patients under the supervision of an RN, etc etc. They are paid at a slightly lower rate than a RN, but are bumped up after passing boards. It is supposed to be this way with LPN's but as I said, hospitals here do not really hire new grad LPN's, and it seems like every LTC facility I talk to does not hire graduate practical nurses, unless they;ve already worked as a CNA there and then the CNA completes the 120 hrs there and is paid (kind of illegally) at their CNA rate.

Does that make sense?

I don't know, here I heard there was this big nursing shortage and I see tons of LPN openings but no one is willing to hire a new grad!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Why don't you apply for initial licensure in a neighboring state that shares a border with Kentucky such as Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, Missouri, or Virginia? Perhaps this might be the quickest alternative to accruing the 120 hours of hands-on nursing. Good luck to you, and best wishes!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Why don't you apply for initial licensure in a neighboring state that shares a border with Kentucky such as Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, Missouri, or Virginia? Perhaps this might be the quickest alternative to accruing the 120 hours of hands-on nursing. Good luck to you, and best wishes!

Commuter, you are brilliant! I didn't even think of the compact state agreement. Its my understanding that when you get your ok to take the boards you need to list the state where you plan on taking the board exam, correct?

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Sounds like you are screwed unless you take Commuter's suggestion. Sounds like a brilliant suggestion to me!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I also think that your requirements sucks like lemons. But, I would listen to Commuter, also, in order to get the ball rolling. Good luck.

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