How can I find job with licensing restrictions?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

 

Dealing with licensing conditions is challenging, but there are several strategies you can pursue to improve your chances of finding employment as an LPN under these conditions:

Look for Employers Familiar with BON Conditions

• Long-term care facilities. These facilities often have a high demand for LPNs and might be more flexible in accommodating your need for RN supervision.
• Home Health care agencies. Some agencies provide in-home care that requires RN supervision, making it possible to meet the BON conditions.
• Rehabilitation centers. These centers often employ both RNs and LPNs on the same shift, which could satisfy your supervision requirement.
• Hospice care. Hospice agencies may offer more flexible working conditions that could facilitate compliance with supervision requirements.

Consider Temporary or Agency Work

• Staffing agencies. Agencies that specialize in healthcare staffing might have temporary positions where you can work under the direct supervision of an RN. Temporary positions may lead to permanent roles.
• Per Diem shifts. Per diem work can allow you to gain experience under RN supervision while fulfilling your licensing conditions.

Network Within Professional Organizations

• LPN Associations: Join local or state LPN associations where you can network with other professionals who might know of opportunities that fit your situation.
• LinkedIn and Nursing Forums: Engaging with online communities can also help you find positions where employers are aware of and willing to work with your licensing conditions.

Be Transparent with Potential Employers

• Discuss Conditions Early: Being upfront about your licensing conditions in your job applications or interviews might help you find employers open to meeting these requirements. Focus on how you can contribute positively to their team despite these conditions.
• Highlight Your Strengths: Emphasize your skills, experience, and any additional certifications that make you a valuable candidate despite the supervision requirement.

Consider Further Education or Certifications

• Pursue RN Education: If feasible, consider advancing your education to become an RN, which could help you move beyond the current licensing conditions.
• Specialty Certifications: Obtaining certifications in areas like wound care, IV therapy, or other specialized fields might make you more appealing to employers.

Explore Non-Bedside Roles

• Clinical Documentation. While this might require additional training, clinical documentation integrity (CDI) roles often involve collaborating with RNs and other healthcare providers.
• Case Management or Administrative Roles. Consider positions that involve more administrative duties but still require some level of clinical knowledge.

Seek Legal Advice

Consult an attorney. If you believe the conditions are too restrictive or that you face unfair treatment due to them, consider consulting a legal professional specializing in healthcare law.

By exploring these avenues and being proactive in your job search, you can find opportunities that align with your current licensing conditions and help you continue your career as an LPN.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

While I agree with most of Nurse Beth's suggestions one stuck out to me as not a likely path to employment with those conditions. The need for RN Supervision same shift/same unit will not be possible in LTC unless the board agrees that a Unit Manager who is not directly working the floor with you meets their requirements for supervision.

If that amount of supervision is deemed acceptable that will also limit you to the day shift since that is the only shift a supervisor/unit manager would be working. Day shift-only positions are going to be difficult to find for a new employee. Those positions are usually snapped up by a current employee as soon as one opens. Staffing in LTC  is also notoriously short even on a good day. There's no way an LTC is going to staff two nurses on one unit unless it's a really large unit that is typically staffed with two nurses to begin with. 

[Aka_van]

It can indeed be challenging to find employment with specific licensing conditions like requiring RN supervision. Here are some suggestions to navigate this situation:

1. Target Facilities with RN Supervision:

Large Healthcare Facilities: Look for larger hospitals or healthcare systems that have multiple RNs on staff and may have the capacity to provide the necessary supervision. These facilities are more likely to accommodate your licensing condition.

Long-Term Care Facilities: Nursing homes or assisted living centers often have a range of supervisory staff and might be more flexible in meeting your supervision needs.

2. Explore Alternative Job Markets:

Home Health Agencies: Some home health agencies might offer positions where RN supervision is feasible. These agencies can sometimes offer more flexibility in meeting supervision requirements.

Community Health Clinics: Clinics or public health settings may have the necessary supervisory structure and might be open to hiring LPNs with specific conditions.

3. Networking and Professional Associations:

Join Professional Groups: Connect with LPN and RN professional groups or associations in your area. Networking can sometimes lead to job opportunities where your specific licensing condition can be accommodated.

Attend Job Fairs: Participate in healthcare job fairs to meet potential employers who might be willing to work with your licensing conditions.

4. Consider Further Education or Certification:

Additional Training: Sometimes additional certifications or training can help make you a more competitive candidate and provide more flexibility in your job search.

RN Bridge Programs: If feasible, consider pursuing an RN bridge program to become a registered nurse, which would remove the need for such specific supervision conditions.

5. Consult with a Staffing Agency:

Healthcare Staffing Agencies: Specialized staffing agencies for healthcare professionals can help match you with employers who are willing to accommodate your licensing conditions.

6. Explore Related Careers:

Physical Therapy: If you're open to exploring other healthcare roles, consider related fields like physical therapy. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants also work closely with RNs and might offer an alternative career path with different conditions.

For exploring job opportunities, I recommend checking out jobiak.empowerme.com. This website offers a range of job listings, including those for healthcare professionals, and could help you find positions that meet your needs or lead you to potential employers who are open to accommodating specific licensing conditions.

By targeting the right facilities, leveraging your network, and exploring additional career paths, you can increase your chances of finding suitable employment.