Frustrated New Grad LPN with NO experience

virgo,student nurse, CNA · Apr 14, 2011

Hey. What part of NY are you in? I know of openings in the upstate Area.

Happynurs3 · Apr 14, 2011

I am in the city...I am not trying to relocate just yet bcuz im scheduled to begin my RN here in the city in September... Out of curiosity though, where upstate?

p.s. thx for replying

Simon1 · Apr 15, 2011

I'm also an LPN that studied a while ago and just recently passed my license with no luck in finding a job in nyc. Its either they are not hiring or you need one year experience. How do u get that experience that is my question that no one is able to answer apart from apologize and say tuff luck buddy....I'm with you on that...what happened to the time when nurses were needed....Ive been out of the nursing scene for a while but I didnt expect so much change. I guess the cuts in the economy are everywhere even nursing.

Im just curious to know why so many people took my resume at the job fair i went to 4 weeks ago and not one call back...I thought i had something to offer?

Take care and good luck with the rn studies...where u going for ur rn...i might just join u....

Happynurs3 · Apr 15, 2011

I did LPN @ Monroe College (Bronx campus)...i'm going back for RN...If i get a full-time job i may do Excelsior's online program. I was so happy when i got my license, but now the reality of NO JOBS is daunting on me...

SquishyRN, BSN, RN · Apr 15, 2011

The interview went well, except that the only opening they had was for nights and they do not "use" new grads on night shifts. I left with the words, "As soon as we have an opening for the day shift we'll give you a call."...I was so disappointed. The worst part is that I am very confident that I can do the job despite being a new grad.

It's understandable that you're eager, and it's good that you're confident, but I think you're being too overconfident. LTC is HARD. No matter how good a program you came from, or how well you did, the real world is nothing like school. 11-7 shift in a LTC facility is no place for a new grad to be. In most places you'll be the only licensed staff in the facility, depending on how big the facility. Not only will you have no one to ask for help, but you're the one in charge. How does it make sense to put anyone without experience in charge? Even store managers have retail experience, and you'd take someone with no experience to be in charge of lives? And keep in mind that when you're in LTC the number of patients you're responsible for is anywhere between 20-60. That's a lot of people to be keeping track of when you're still busy trying to acclimate yourself to being a nurse.

When I was a fresh new grad (I've been licensed and working for almost 6 months but I still very much feel like and call myself a new grad) I was offered a F/T 11-7 shift but they hired someone more experienced the day I was supposed to orient. I'm glad they did b/c after working awhile I now realize how much I would've been risking my license every night if I took that job. Different scenarios come up almost everyday I work where I ask my coworkers their opinions on what I need to do. As a new grad your assessment skills aren't developed yet, that only comes with experience. Keep in mind that in the middle of the night, doctors and other such resources aren't as easily available. You need to know exactly what you're looking at and what you're talking about to be calling the doc at 3am. And a lot of times you won't even be getting a call back. Even for 3-11 shift I wait multiple hours before a doc calls me back after I've paged multiple times trying to get some kind of order for lung infiltrates... I can keep them in bed and give them fluids all I want by PNA isn't going anywhere without antibiotics. Overall, I think you should consider it a good thing you weren't hired for 11-7. You really don't want to be working for a facility that would put that much responsibility on a new grad, it shows they don't care about patient safety and just need a warm body... Don't ever think they won't throw you under a bus to save themselves. Always just think about protecting your license after working so hard for it.

Happynurs3 · Apr 15, 2011

I agree with you and i really understand because the nursing manager explained it. I was just disappointed because it was my first and only interview and then i was hit with the "new grad/no experience" story. i just feel like it's a no win battle that i'm fighting.

i'll try to remain positive and thanks for replying. :up:

AliciaLPN · Sep 7, 2011

Hi Happynurs3. Have you found a job yet? i sure hope you did, if so where? i am now a baby nurse. Graduated this June took my boards last fri 9/2 and passed. I am now starting my job hunt. any tips or advices??

LPNRead · Sep 10, 2011

Hi Happynurs3,

I feel your pain. I graduated from school in April, 2011 and took and passed boards immediately. I have applied to over 100 jobs since then and nothing. it is utterly frustrating right now. I am in South Florida and no one in my class has found a job as yet. 2 class mates moved (1 to New Orleans and other to Texas). Both found jobs within 1 week of being in the other states. If anyone know of anywhere hiring new LPN nurses in S. Fla please let me know. I don't know what to do anymore.

:'( :'( :'(

julibyrd · Sep 21, 2011

Hi LPNRead,

Wow how discouraging! I have been studying for the TEAS V for the McFatter LPN program in Davie. If all goes well, I would be starting in March 2012. But your post scares me!! Is it even worth going for the LPN program? I will be 45 by the time it starts. Are there NO jobs whatsover??? YIKES!!!!

CalNurs · Oct 11, 2011

As a "new grad RN who is looking for a job for the past 1 year", my advise would be

Run Away and Stay Away from any Nursing Classes / Certifications / License ... unless untill the school gives a written Moneyback Gurantee to get you an RN job upon completion.

After wasting 3 years to get my LPN and RN, and 1 year of unsuccessful job hunting for an RN/LPN position ... I am now proudly displaying my "Proud to be a Nurse" badge, serving customers at my local Walmart Checkout lane. Dont believe the hype ... there are no jobs for New Grad Nurses in US.

After wasting a lot of time in US trying to find an RN position, some of my batchmates (they are young enough) have taken up jobs in South America (Guatemala and Peru) and India. Wages and working conditions are as we expect those to be in Third World countries but atleast they are getting some experience and not sitting idle.

AliciaLPN · Oct 11, 2011

/I was pretty frustrated too and especially discouraged. I graduated 6/2011. took my bouts 0n 9/2/11 and officially got my license on 9/20/11. after a few weeks of looking and reading these posts i thought i would never fimd something. While there are numerous jobs out there, with alot of budget cuts its hard for facilities to give a new nurse paid training for who knows how along and pay the nurse thats training them all at once. So i opted for free training. while some people frown at it im appreciative b/c its either sit home still not making money and not gaining experience or volunteer and gain experience. im doing it a few days now and ill be on my own soon once they feel i can work the floor alone and bring home a pay check. My advice is try all avenues and if the opportunity arises to volunteer to learn you are actually making an investment than losing out.