Had my first "slap in the face" moment today....

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I have been faithfully putting in applications, day after day, sending my resume out after spending hours polishing it to make me look like any perspective employer cannot live without me....

HA!!!

Today I get a call from a local home health agency. She asks, "How long have you been a RN?" I announce proudly that I passed my boards on the 28th of last month. (Yes, I am confident...)

Lady states, "Oh... well.. you can't work for us as a RN until you have had a year of RN experience. What did you do before your RN?" I tell her that I have been a LPN for close to 10 years, and in reply I get, "Can you do pediatric vents? We have a pediatric vent case right now, but it is for a LPN."

Ummm.... maybe it's just me, but please tell me why, if I have worked long and hard for my education, and have passed all legal and binding paperwork and tests, why I would accept an offer to work as a LPN if I am a board certified RN?

No slam, please, I surely do not mean it to sound in any way disrespectful if it does, but I can't think of any other way to ask. I mean, in a way, isn't it like taking a step backward in your own life goals?

Heck, I dunno. I just felt kind of slammed and let down after that. Almost like all my hard work was for nothing.

Guess I'm just grumping.....

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Ask if you can work as an RN at an LPN's rate.

An offer's an offer. Maybe getting in will make you the logical one for the next RN spot to open up.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

Calliou, what I think the agency is up to, is what Sue, mentioned above. I've done alot of home health. The reimbursment rate for the vent case, is at an LPN, level. So what they want is for you to take the case and work for LPN wages. Insurance companies will not approve an RN, if an LPN is allowed to do the care. It does stink that you are working so hard to get a job and not having much sucess. So what did you tell the coordinator? Are you taking the job or not?

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Ummm.... maybe it's just me, but please tell me why, if I have worked long and hard for my education, and have passed all legal and binding paperwork and tests, why I would accept an offer to work as a LPN if I am a board certified RN?

To pay the bills. ;) I agree too that it might be a way in. I know it sucks to spend that much time in school not to find a job as a RN. I wasn't sure if I was going to find on, but luckily got offered a job as a graduate nurse. But I was prepared to stay as a LPN until the job market opened up.

Do you have other interviews scheduled or possible?

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So what did you tell the coordinator? Are you taking the job or not?

She didn't offer the job, per say, just told me that all that was available was the vent case, but it was for LPN.

Do you have other interviews scheduled or possible?

No. This was the first. And I do already HAVE a job as a RN, but was looking for something a bit closer to home. Broaden my horizons, I guess.

Like I said..... I'm just grumping, I guess. I do realize if it came down to it, you better believe I'd take the job, hands down in order to feed my family and pay the bills, it's just sort of a let down.... ;)

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Most extended care home care is at the LPN level. Almost all of it. But most agencies will pay their RNs who choose to work on these cases a couple of dollars more an hour than the LPNs, and the RNs are ok with that because the work meets their needs. The lady really was being up front with you. At that point you could have asked her what they pay the LPNs who work on the case, and ask for a little more. Negotiation is ok. If you don't want the job I am sure they will find another nurse.

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

hard to work as an LPN when you are licensed as an RN. if you step out of the scope for an LPN the employer will throw you under the bus...even if you were within the scope of the RN. stay with your current employer until you find a better fit, just my opinion.

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You are going to find something that is right for you eventually. Keep your head up. :)

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