How do I get experience then...

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a new graduate LPN nurse and have already been on two interviews and I still do not have a job. On my resume it clearly says that I am a new graduate nurse hoping to get hired but when I get into the interview they act surpised "Oh...soo ..you're right out of school?" How am I supposed to get any experience if noone will hire me? What am I supposed to do? Please tell me that someone has had this problem before!!!

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Are you applying for jobs that accept new grads?

I've been to interviews (non healthcare related) where it seemed as if the recruiter never even looked at my resume. But then I remember that they have thousands of resume's to look at, so I can't expect them to remember everything.

Do you use a cover letter as well?

I'm not sure how to make of them being surprised. I guess it would also depend on the tone of their voice. I mean, if it was surprised with a tone of regret, then I would wonder why they called you in.

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Having more interviews will definitely help with your job search! Look at the job description before you apply because some of them do say that they would hire new grads. Don't be disappointed. The job search right now is quite hard. If you stay at it, you should find a job sooner or later. Where are you looking for jobs? In what area of US?

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Psych..

:) Hi! Don't fret you will find a job as a nurse! The number one thing for you to remember is that this is only a stumbling block! Make sure you write a really good resume including a cover letter and if you are faxing it make sure you have a fax cover letter as well!

I live in Alabama and have been an LPN for twelve years. Perhaps you should start out like I did- on night shift. I worked Baylor on my first job for almost ten years! Baylor is when you work two or three nights a week on Saturday's and Sunday's. Night shift is much easier and relaxed than day shifts are! I feel like that was a great decision on my part because nursing school has taught you only "some" of the things you need to know! Alot of things are on the job learning! Take for instance, charting... Oh my goodness, I had no clue of how to really chart once I came out of LPN school. Thank goodness I had some great coworkers who were willing to help me. Although clinicals were out the yazoo and I thought I knew alot (because nursing school is so stressful and hard) I found out quickly that I was lacking in many areas! Hey, I could answer a question about anything that was book related but when it came to doing different things the books can only help you remember the proper way to do them!

Don't get discouraged! I started out in a nursing home because in our area that is where the money is! I always wanted to be in the labor and delivery room but found out quickly that not too many LPN's are in that field. I grew to love the elderly and they taught me so many life lessons! I know in the nursing home that I worked we advertised that we hired new grads! Perhaps you can call around before submitting an application or resume to prevent your heart from being broken!

Hang in there- I promise you will get a job! Oh, and by the way- Congratulations! :yeah:

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Hang in there--it might be a bumpy road ahead! I had one recruiter calll me back and tell me that I should contact her after I've had 6 months of working experience! And how was I going to get that 6 months of working experience, hmmmm? :rolleyes:

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Unfortunately there is a glut of nurses and a shortage of jobs. Even experienced nurses are having trouble finding work. You've already had two interviews so you're ahead of the game in comparison to a lot of people who are struggling in this job market.

I have always been surprised, when I went on interviews, at how little attention people paid to my resume. One of my skills is that I am bilingual and it is right up there in the title, and in the strengths sections, and in numerous bilingual jobs I have had, and yet when I mention it people are always surprised. I think that what happens is that they end up with a whole lot of resumes that get sorted into the "yay" or "nay" file, and they call people in for an interview and may or may not remember the specifics about why.

Well, I once worked in a job where I was responsible for plowing through resumes and interviewing job candidates and that is actually what did happen. The only specific detail I ever remembered about anyone was the guy who explained, on his resume, that the reason for his three-year employment gap was that he was in prison. Erm. OK.

I think it is really important to prepare a short, specific, and concise cover letter spelling out very specific skills that you can bring to the table (if the application process gives you that option). What skills have you learned in your employment history that could transfer to nursing? Do you have any interesting certifications (either in or outside of nursing)? Any volunteer experience? It's a good idea to do that whether you use it or not as it allows you to organize your thoughts for when you go into an interview and you have to sell yourself before the interviewer's eyes glaze over (remember, you're probably the 10th person they've talked to that week about the exact same thing so you reallly want to stand out).:p

Oh, also, something I read online the other day, if you have a title, like "LPN" or "RN" or "CNA" specific to the job you are applying for, remember to attach it the the name of your resume "Mary Smith, LPN" and your signature and your cover letter. The HR person is recieving a lot of resumes for a lot of positions and if they don't know that little piece of information right off the bat they will probably just shuffle your resume over to the "I'll think about this when I have time" pile.

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Specializes in None yet.

I'm from the state of Florida and they not only don't want newly licensed LPNs, but they don't want LPN's at all.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
I'm from the state of Florida and they not only don't want newly licensed LPNs, but they don't want LPN's at all.

Ok, you really can't make sweeping generalizations like that.

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I'm from the state of Florida and they not only don't want newly licensed LPNs, but they don't want LPN's at all.

I know how it feels when you are still trying to look for a job. It seems like nobody wants you...it is a stage that we go through. Try doctor's offices or maybe look beyond Florida? I am in NY and I know many doctor's offices still hire LPN's because of a lesser pay. Hope this helps and never lose hope!!

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm a new RN and in the same boat. I've been to at least 5 interviews and I've gotten nothing. I have another large group of applications out and am just waiting for another call.

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Specializes in ICU-CCRN, CVICU, SRNA.

Try psych units and drug rehabs. They hire a lot of LPN's

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Specializes in None yet.
I'm from the state of Florida and they not only don't want newly licensed LPNs, but they don't want LPN's at all.

Sorry, let me say then that the hospitals no longer hire LPN's in a 75 mile radius of where I live. Nursing homes still hire LPN's, and so do some Dr's offices. I would really love to have some "floor" experience before going on to my goal of being a Hospice nurse.

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