Hard to find a job in L.A. as a new LVN

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Hello everyone,

I'm finding it very hard to find a job in the los angeles. Most places want you to have a year experience already having worked as an LVN. How am I supposed to get experience if no one is willing to hire new grads? I'm starting to get really discouraged because it's been a month now. I never thought it would be this hard to find a job.

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Specializes in Hem/Onc/BMT.

I am so sorry you're having such a tough time. It's hard to believe how much the climate changed from back when I got my LVN in 2003 and promptly entered a new grad program at a hospital...

Have you looked into registry agencies? Home health? When I browse job websites, I often see multiple listings from places like Maxim, etc.

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Specializes in Geriatric,LTC.

Hello MsChrissie,

I graduated in 2009 and I still haven't found a job yet. I am so heartbroken over this and terribly depressed right now....:sniff:. I do hope you find the strength to hang in there and keep fighting. Just be persistent and pray to find the right job for you. As for me...I am still trying.... Good luck!!!

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Specializes in LTC.

Most of my class have not found jobs (graduated 12/08). I had to move out of state to find a job.

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It is not only new grads who are having a hard time finding work. One of my several agency employers has not had work for me in 14 months. A couple of others hired me and have never given me one shift to work. Being an employee on paper does not pay the rent or buy food. And I did not just graduate. I'm not the only experienced nurse having a hard time of it. There are many who are a lot more qualified than I am who are also out of work.

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keep the faith...the nursing homes is usually good about hiring new lvns i'm still waiting for my results and i have graduated in aug. of 09...half my class has found a job and some work in a nursing home which is a great start for exp...

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Unfortunately this crisis is worse than I thought too. It took me one year to get a real job as an LVN, prior to that I was offered agency work now and then. I was so absolutely depressed that I decided to go back to school and pursue a different career in addition to being an LVN. My advice would be to try and be patient and continue your search, but also have a backup plan in the event that time passes and you're still unemployed.

BTW, I am also in Los Angeles and I guess there is an overabundance of LVN's here now.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
BTW, I am also in Los Angeles and I guess there is an overabundance of LVN's here now.

Of course there's going to be an excessive glut of LVNs in the greater Los Angeles area. After all, more than 100 LVN programs at the for-profit, private trade schools exist in southern California, and each school churns out new grads into the local job market every few months when the demand for nurses simply is not present. Don't forget about all of the adult education programs and community college LVN programs that continually add new nurses to the already saturated employment market.

I attained my LVN training at one of these private trade schools in the Los Angeles area, and I moved out of the state immediately after graduating.

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where did you guys go to school? would love for you to share your stories.

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I am so sorry you're having such a tough time. It's hard to believe how much the climate changed from back when I got my LVN in 2003 and promptly entered a new grad program at a hospital...

Have you looked into registry agencies? Home health? When I browse job websites, I often see multiple listings from places like Maxim, etc.

How is Maxim? Has anyone worked for them before? What's their rep like?

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How is Maxim? Has anyone worked for them before? What's their rep like?

Do a search on this site for threads and posts about Maxim and you will find that they have more bad recommendations than good. From my personal experience, look elsewhere for a good employer. I do not make that statement lightly. Also, I have been told that Maxim, like other home health agencies, no longer hires new grads right out of school.

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Specializes in internal medicine, geriatrics.

I feel your fustration!I rcv'd my License in May of 2009, and have yet to land a job. I have been on many interviews but as soon as they ask about exp. they say they prefer ones with at least 1 year. It clearly states on my resume that I have none, and I get excited when I get called for an interview.........I will not give up, I worked too hard........I am thinking on geoing for ADN in the mean time, but new RNs are having a hard time too.....crazy how it is mentioned everywhere there is a nursing shortage, but we (newbies) won't be given a chance!!:nurse:

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