I can't get a job, i'm so sad.

Nurses LPN/LVN

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I' am a new Grad. i have 2 months alredy looking for a job.

i'm from San Diego. i have been everywhere.not luck at all.

i was CNA and PCT. i have IV certif. and others thing. but not experience as LVN.

What should i do? i though as soon i get the licence, i'll get a job.:o

I went to the health fair this monday. but the recluter they' said just go on line and apply. but i said OK but then was the objective of the fair if they not even had that list of opening.

i have applied about 20 or more jobs online.

Thank you. if there is some one from san diego who wants to give a glue i would really appreciate.;)

BIGB...

Thanks for all the info on the prisons. I actually received a call from someone regarding a LVN position at Chino Mens detention. She told me she was sending me an app, to fill it out and send back. They run a backround check that takes about 2 weeks then they will call me for orientation. Is that true. Don't you have to interview or anything??? I was curious as to what kind of work you do in the prisons. Do they have their own hospitals, are they clinics? I have pretty thick skin so I think I can handle it although my husband is a little hesitant about it. It is safe right?? I am not sure what level chino is, but I will look into it. I really appreciate any info you have since this is a route I am seriously considering. Also how long does it take to begin working. Is it a long application process??

I have been looking everywhere for a job and nothing, however, I do want a job in acute care. I have received a few calls for home health, but that scares me since Ihave no experience. I am going to sharp tomorrow for their walk ins. I have put my resume into a few LTC, but they all are only hiring for noc shifts. Its so frustrating.

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The salary ranges you posted BigB were for RN's right? What about LVN's. Does the state hire LVN's?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.

I know you said that you looked online, but have you posted your resume online? I posted mine on hotjobs and monster.com and my email box has been overflowing everyday with offers. I still can't even believe it. Maybe you could try that. Good luck.;)

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Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.

:o

BIGB...

Thanks for all the info on the prisons. I actually received a call from someone regarding a LVN position at Chino Mens detention. She told me she was sending me an app, to fill it out and send back. They run a backround check that takes about 2 weeks then they will call me for orientation. Is that true. Don't you have to interview or anything??? I was curious as to what kind of work you do in the prisons. Do they have their own hospitals, are they clinics? I have pretty thick skin so I think I can handle it although my husband is a little hesitant about it. It is safe right?? I am not sure what level chino is, but I will look into it. I really appreciate any info you have since this is a route I am seriously considering. Also how long does it take to begin working. Is it a long application process??

I have been looking everywhere for a job and nothing, however, I do want a job in acute care. I have received a few calls for home health, but that scares me since Ihave no experience. I am going to sharp tomorrow for their walk ins. I have put my resume into a few LTC, but they all are only hiring for noc shifts. Its so frustrating.

The requirment to work in the Calfornia prisons is a pulse and an LVN license!!!LOL...it is true. You really don't interview at all. The prisons here in california are in the process of hiring about 700 LVN's as the MTA (peace officer/ LVN) classification is being phased out of the CAlifornia department of corrections. I am currently a MTA in the dept of mental health having transfered out of the prison medical side.

The prisons are safe but check on the custody level .. 2 - 3 is medium security, 4 is maximuim security. Stay away from the level 4 if possible. Treat the inmates fair and you will have little to no problems. Do NOT have sex with the inmates... I have to say it becuse it does happen every few months. The last nurse that did this is now serving 5 years in prison :o

The morning LVNs will work with a doctor one of one in a building doing a "doctor's line." As an LVN you will note the orders, take vital signs, pass out medications (before dr line), insulin injections before dr line) etc etc.

The evening LVNs just do medication administration for the most part. Although you could be in the ER waiting for an emergency that will come. Graveyard shifts are very rare for the LVN. We had one position and 4,000 inmates. Of course there was two RN's on duty for that shift as well.

The application process is fairly quick. You need a current physical and a TB test. I would say about a month. As an MTA it took us 7 months to 1 year to get cleared to work in the prisons because of the background, medical, and physical fitness tests we were required to pass. I do not agree with these things being dropped in order to fast hire LVNs, but I digress.

Do not work in LTC!!! My first job out of school was a LTC...47 patients...a complete disaster!! I have been told this by dozens of LTC nurses who got into LTC and never got out. They reqret it. LTC will always be avalible and should be a last resort. It will be hard to get an acute job after starting / working in LTC

Any other questions, just ask.

Bigb

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Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.
The salary ranges you posted BigB were for RN's right? What about LVN's. Does the state hire LVN's?

Yes, state is hiring 700+ LVN now. Salary is

$3,800.00 - $4,619.00/ month* - This salary range applies only to LVNs appointed to San Quentin

State Prison, Salinas Valley State Prison and the Correctional Training Facility.

$3,385.00 - $4,114.00/ month* - This salary range applies to LVNs appointed to all Adult Institutionsand Division of Correctional Health Care Services, except San Quentin State Prison, Salinas

Valley State Prison and the Correctional Training Facility

*Salary Ranges effective September 1, 2006 pending approval ***THIS HAS BEEN APPROVED***

BENEFITS

* Deferred Compensation Plans (Savings pool, 401k and 457 plans)

* $100 Monthly Bilingual Differential Pay

* 75% Reimbursement of Van Pool, $65 maximum per month ($100 primary driver)

* 75% Reimbursement of Public Transit Passes, $65 maximum per month

* Flexible work hours (management discretion)

* Pre-tax parking (where applicable)

* Fourteen (14) paid holidays

* Generous paid vacation/sick leave or annual leave

* Jury duty/military/bereavement leave

* Health, Dental, and Vision Care Plans (Rural Health Care Equity Program for areas

without HMOs)

* Pre-retirement death benefit

* Dependent Care Program

* Long Term Insurance (CalPERS)

* Home Loan Program (CalPERS)

* Legal Services

* Employee Assistance Program

POSITION

DESCRIPTION

A Licensed Vocational Nurse (Safety) under clinical direction of a registered nurse or physician and

under assigned administrative supervision at a State correctional hospital/facility, or correctional facility,

in a program providing care to forensic clients, patients, or inmates/youthful offenders; provides a basic

level of general nursing care to forensic clients, patients, or inmates/youthful offenders with mental,

emotional, or developmental disabilities, or visually impaired, medically ill, or infirm forensic clients,

patients, or inmates/youthful offenders; and does other related work.

Positions shall exist at various locations throughout the state with the Department of Corrections and

Rehabilitation.

source :

http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/CareerOpportunities/HR/OPS/Exams/Health_Care_Exams/HC_Bulletins/LVN-Bull-O-9-8-06.pdf

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Thank you so much BigB..that was alot of info. I actually filled outmy app now I have to do the exam portion online; however a staffing company for dept of corrections contacted me. They place you when needed, but there are no benefits and I am worried about liability issues. I guess i just get my own insurance which i should do anyway. So i called the recruiter for dept of corrections and she said to do both. Apply directly and thru the staffing company. This way I get my foot in the door. I am a little worried though since I have no experience. Anyway.. what do you think? Do you think I should apply thru the staffing company too? Thanks again for all the info.

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Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.
Thank you so much BigB..that was alot of info. I actually filled outmy app now I have to do the exam portion online; however a staffing company for dept of corrections contacted me. They place you when needed, but there are no benefits and I am worried about liability issues. I guess i just get my own insurance which i should do anyway. So i called the recruiter for dept of corrections and she said to do both. Apply directly and thru the staffing company. This way I get my foot in the door. I am a little worried though since I have no experience. Anyway.. what do you think? Do you think I should apply thru the staffing company too? Thanks again for all the info.

You will make more working with a staffing agency or "registry", but keep in mind that when the feds took over the prison medical, the man in charge, Bob Sillen has said that he does not want to use staffing agencies. I think going state would be best as you can get all the OT you want, or work part time. You can basically make your own scedule. Plus state benifits. What is the staffing agencies name? Not all have a good reputation (i.e some LVN's were NOT getting paid!! or had bounced checks!!!) California is broke, but at least your checks wont bounce LOL. Another thing to consider is that the staffing agency nurses get the worse assignments, while the state LVN's are getting there pick on shift, hours etc.

On a side note, if you live close to Soledad, CA or VAcaville, CA I would highely recommend working as an MTA/LVN. PAy is $6200 month and you just can't beat this for an LVN. I love my job! A Department of Mental Health unit is sceduled to open in Sacramento, CA is a couple years and they will need tons of MTA/LVN's. Something to consider if you live near the above areas.

Another thing about staffing agencies is a lot of them DO NOT take out taxes. This can lead to a big headache around tax time each year when you can owe the government thousands of dollars. I would shy away from staffing agencies, especially since it is your first job out of school. You are vulnerable for lawsuits etc. and not protected well.

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You will make more working with a staffing agency or "registry", but keep in mind that when the feds took over the prison medical, the man in charge, Bob Sillen has said that he does not want to use staffing agencies. I think going state would be best as you can get all the OT you want, or work part time. You can basically make your own scedule. Plus state benifits. What is the staffing agencies name? Not all have a good reputation (i.e some LVN's were NOT getting paid!! or had bounced checks!!!) California is broke, but at least your checks wont bounce LOL. Another thing to consider is that the staffing agency nurses get the worse assignments, while the state LVN's are getting there pick on shift, hours etc.

Another thing about staffing agencies is a lot of them DO NOT take out taxes. This can lead to a big headache around tax time each year when you can owe the government thousands of dollars. I would shy away from staffing agencies, especially since it is your first job out of school. You are vulnerable for lawsuits etc. and not protected well.

BigB,

I found one on Craigs List from "All Health Services". Are you familiar with that agency? They are offering $26.00 FT & Per Diem, pd weekly, direct deposit, benefits, but nothing on if this is taken out of the $26. I don't need it though.

You brought up some good info re: no taxes taken out, not making up your own schedule. Thanks again for good information! I'll ride this out and see what they offer etc.

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BigB,

Sorry, I forgot to ask. What's MTA/LVN? What did you do to get that?

thx

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Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.
BigB,

Sorry, I forgot to ask. What's MTA/LVN? What did you do to get that?

thx

MTA is a Medical Technical Assistant. A LVN or RN can apply and become one. They use to be used in all the California prisons, and now we work under the department of mental health.

Info is here : http://www.dmh.cahwnet.gov/JOB/docs/recruit/MTA_HANDOUT_05_2.pdf

Old pay range on this document. Hiring proces can take 7 months...they are picky and fitness tests, medical, psych, and background checks must be passed.

BigB

I have never heard of that registry.

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In jobs where I hired people, I ignored resumes and applications with spelling, grammar, and punctuation problems. Into the circular file....

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MTA is a Medical Technical Assistant. A LVN or RN can apply and become one. They use to be used in all the California prisons, and now we work under the department of mental health.

Info is here : http://www.dmh.cahwnet.gov/JOB/docs/recruit/MTA_HANDOUT_05_2.pdf

Old pay range on this document. Hiring proces can take 7 months...they are picky and fitness tests, medical, psych, and background checks must be passed.

BigB

I have never heard of that registry.

Thanks again for info!

I plan to ask lots of questions when I talk to them again.

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