How does a new LPN get experience if no one will hire you without experience?

irish6363 · Mar 20, 2009

I understand..I am in the same situation and its been months for me. I live in Los Angeles Ca. and there just isnt any work right now. I cannot even get hired as CNA apparently due to being an LVN, they have told me that I would eventually leave any job as a cna as soon as a better offer where to come along, so I have resorted to a sales job...making 9.00per hr. It is very difficult right now to find any work.

All we can do is keep applying in person as well as over the internet until someone gives us a chance...for that fisrt job as a new LVN.

addy95 · Mar 27, 2009

I feel your pain, it's been 3 yrs for me as an LPN in GA & they seem to only hire RN"S ONLY at the hospitals & MA's at Dr's office. I tell you this feels like I wasted brain power, I could've finished my RN, BSN by now. Keep your head up! Just curious, what state are you in?

AshiPanda · Mar 27, 2009

Hey, I was JUST having this problem. I'm a new LPN, but did a couple shifts of hospice care for agency.

I actually have a lot of luck with agency, even though a lot of them still say they want that 1 year experience. Atleast it's something you can try.

BUT, I also got on Craig's List and advertised myself as a new nurse. That I have reliable transportation and that I have lived in my city my whole life... and also that I am a new nurse, but am willing to learn ANYTHING.

=) And I have another interview today in a neurology office.

I hightly recommend Craig's List, I got a lot of feedback. I got two interviews in a week from it!

Lucy79 · Mar 28, 2009

I understand. I also received my license in January of 09 and I'm still looking. I live in Texas and LVNs are used in some hospital settings, but experience is required. The only places that I am getting alot of resume hits from are homehealth agencies, but I feel uncomfortable working in that enviroment (all by myself, trusting only my eyes and assessment skills, with no back up?)

Keep looking... the jobs are out there. Do you have any LTACs in your area. They hired new LVNs and can train you for up to 3 weeks if needed.

TDUnewLPN · Mar 31, 2009

I feel your pain, it's been 3 yrs for me as an LPN in GA & they seem to only hire RN"S ONLY at the hospitals & MA's at Dr's office. I tell you this feels like I wasted brain power, I could've finished my RN, BSN by now. Keep your head up! Just curious, what state are you in?

I feel the same way. I should have just gone to school to be an RN or BSN.. I feel like it was all a waste of time, money, and everything else... But I know plenty of LPN's in NJ who did not have this problem. I'm in Northern VA, in the DC area. What bothers me the most is that there are LPNs who have a job, so how did they get their experience to get the first job?

TDUnewLPN · Mar 31, 2009

i tried craigs list, monster, career builder, you name it. I have been to every LTC facility in northern VA, they all want experience. The home care agencies even want experience, except one who wanted a live in, which i can't because i have children, and i would not feel comfortable on my own. I guess all i can do is keep trying and applying, and maybe look for another job in another field too. What a waste it was to go to school for this. :sniff:

SLewisRN · Jan 26, 2011

I don't mean to burst anyone's bubble (so to speak), but I am an RN-BSN, and have been for nearly two years, and I am finding it practically impossible to find a "real" nursing job. After seven months of job searching in the Las Vegas area and 170+ applications, I finally got a clinic job: giving shots and drawing blood. By no means am I complaining about that position, but it certainly wasn't what I had hoped and dreamed of after spending half a decade in college and hundreds of dollars for my license.... Even worse, when I moved (my husband is in the Army), I wasn't able to get a job in North Carolina because my resume was apparently lacking. And now that we are overseas I am unable to get a job at the local Army hospital because, you guessed it: I don't have experience. Even though I was a NAP for a year on ICU/IMC and med-surg floors plus my nine-months in the clinic as a licensed practitioner, I don't have any marketable experience which means I'm not getting a job. It seems this is the nursing climate presently, and a problem for all of us: not just LPN/LVN's or RN's. With that said, I wish you all the best as you continue to try for those elusive positions!

grateful2010, LPN, LVN · Jan 26, 2011

I truly believe that positive attitude and perception has a lot to do in landing a job. At this point you sound very discouraged, which is understandable, but you must be optimistic! Believe that you will land a nursing Job soon( any Nursing job at this point) and later more doors will open. If you focus on landing a job instead of "I can't find a job" your situation will change, believe in it. Good luck.