Help!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2008

Good morning!

You will often accrue few, if any, replies to your threads if they are entitled "Help!" or "Need some help." Many posters will not even bother to click on the thread to read it if the title is not descriptive enough. This is just a friendly pointer.

I landed my first nursing job by applying within. It is easy for a hiring manager to toss aside a resume that was faxed to the facility, but difficult to ignore an applicant who arrives during business hours to complete an employment application. In my area, many hiring managers will interview on the spot if you show up in person, even if they never had a job advertised.

Good luck to you! I will keep my fingers crossed until you find a job!

jean333 · Feb 20, 2008

It took awhile for me to get my first job..I am 18 and my age did not help..but after about a month I landed a job in a doctors office..don't give up :)

Jean

alliemb222 · Feb 20, 2008

Oh wow, I would love to work in a doctor's office, personally. How is it??

smak60 · Feb 21, 2008

Thats what I want to do also. I just passed the nclex pn last Friday. I am waiting on my liscense. I am not sure on how to go about it....I dont have any experience either. I guess I will make copies of my resume...and hit the road...I thought I would make a list of doctors offices..peds..etc...and just drop by??? I really dont know what to expect.???? I am nervous about it.:icon_roll I know you wont make as much money in a doctors office...but for me..I like the hours... 8-5... :specs:

jean333 · Feb 21, 2008

Working in a doctors office is nice. I am learning a lot and still have to learn to perform under pressure. I see a lot of different things and have learned to draw blood, something they did not teach in my LPN program. The pay is less than a nursing home but it has its perks.I don't work any weekends and have all paid holidays so thats REALLY nice. I don't think I want to work in a doctors office for the rest of my life as I most definitely want to try working in a hospital one day. I am slowly taking courses towards my RN. Most doctors offices hire LPN's. My sister and I both did lots of walk in's and responded to adds in the paper. Keep trying and don't give up :)

Jean

kythe, LPN · Feb 21, 2008

I got my first LPN job in a nursing home where I had clinicals. I felt familiar with the environment because of my time there in school and they were known for hiring new grads. I now work in a group home for the developmentally disabled and it also is a good "new grad" job. The pace is slower, which can make it a good environment to learn new skills without the added stress of time pressure that you have in a nursing home. Group homes can be hard to find out about since they aren't large and visible like nursing homes. You may need to hear about them word of mouth or through advertisements.

I worked in a doctor's office as a Medical Assistant for 3 years before becoming a nurse, so that was something I wanted to get away from now that I have a license. I have known several LPN's who started in doctor's offices and clinics, but where I live the pay is about half of any other LPN job.

ER JUNKIE · Feb 22, 2008

I tried posting a thread in "First Year In Nursing" forum, but I am not getting any input, and I am desperate for some answers. I just graduated from the lpn nursing program and I have had my license for about two weeks. I am trying really hard to find a job (I live in Michigan) and I don't feel confident at all that I'll be hired in anywhere! I don't have any experience in the medical field, I started my pre-req classes for the RN program right out of high school, finished those, and decided to apply to the LPN program and articulate afterwards. I feel like nobody will hire me because my lack of experience. Has anyone ever been in my position?? What did you do to get your first job as a nurse?? Any suggestions??

Did you "bond" with anyone during your clinicals? My first job out of LPN school was at a hospital that I did my clinicals at. If there was a place that you felt really comfortable at, I would go talk to the nurse mgr there and try to get a job. It seemes thata A LTC facility would love to give you a chance...MI is tough, b/c they don't use LPN's in alot of places. I know some of the hospitals in my area use them in Endo...pass out your resume in all of the hospitals/offices that you can and follow through on all of them. Someone will give you a chance, and then you will be all set when you finish RN school, w/ the experience that you need. Good Luck!

alliemb222 · Feb 22, 2008

Thanks for the advice. I'll turn in my resume everywhere I possibly can. When you mean follow through, do you mean calling to confirm they received my resume?? Ive had my license now for almost three weeks and I feel like I should have already started my new job..I tried one of my clinical sites, but haven't heard from them. I'm going to try the other LTC facility that I started out my first clinicals. I feel so set back

ER JUNKIE · Feb 22, 2008

Thanks for the advice. I'll turn in my resume everywhere I possibly can. When you mean follow through, do you mean calling to confirm they received my resume?? Ive had my license now for almost three weeks and I feel like I should have already started my new job..I tried one of my clinical sites, but haven't heard from them. I'm going to try the other LTC facility that I started out my first clinicals. I feel so set back

By "follow through" I mean call and speak to the person who does the hiring and confirm that they received your resume, make sure that they are hiring at this time and ask them when they are conducting interviews. Try to "sell yourself" over the phone...let them know that you are eager, willing and capable of doing the job that you applied for. When you drop off your resume, try to speak to the person in charge of hiring and make a great first impression. When I relocated to MI, I applied for a ton of jobs in August thinking that I would be back to work quickly and didn't start my new job until Oct 1st. It takes a while, but with a little perseverance, you will get that job. Believe in yourself and keep on keeping on!! You can do it!

scallywags · Feb 25, 2008

You have achieved a lot at this point and you should remember that when you are applying for jobs. Finding a job out of school can be challenging. I went through this last year when I was looking for my first nursing job. I sent out over 30 applications, which included applying in person at several facilities. I got one interview and a job offer. It was a part time position about 30 minutes from home. It was not ideal, but it was a start and better than staying at home.

I stayed there for a few months and continued to send out applications for a full time job. I finally got an offer for a full time position - five minutes from my house. It is with a major health care facility and I am very content.

You may not find that "perfect" job at first try, but take it for the experience. Who knows, it may be the perfect fit for you. Secondly, two weeks with a license is not a long time. Be patient and continue to apply for jobs. Make a list of local facilities and spend your days going there and filling out applications. Follow up with phone calls. Apply for jobs, even if they say EXPERIENCE required.

Good luck on your job search.

eldragon · Feb 25, 2008

I just passed the NCLEX 10 days ago and already have a job. I get processed tomorrow.

I printed out some resumes and personal references, grabbed my license and hit the road. I had already looked up LTC facilities near me, and went to one I had never been to before. It was actually hard to find, no sign or anything, nestled in a country setting with a huge pond, ducks, peacocks and even a llama!

So I went in and told the receptionist that I wanted to fill out an application. I did that, and waited to see the DON for over an hour. The receptionist told me it might be as long as 2 hours, and they could call me, but I told her I'd rather wait.

After about 1.5 hours, the DON came and got me and we went into her office. She asked me how I found the place, as there wasn't even a job posted. She said that she was in the unique position of having a dayshift LPN position opening up, and after a tour and lengthy interview, she offered me the job!

The pay is good, the benefits are good, the location is good and the hours are good! The facility has a good retention rate, and I'm being processed tomorrow.

So, walk in and wait is my advice.