I hate being a new grad lpn

mom2boyz · Jun 16, 2014

What types of places are you applying? I graduated in December and had no problem getting a job at a long term care facility. Good luck. It is hard, there is so much to learn also.

Depressnewgrad, ADN · Jun 16, 2014

I applied everywhere LTc,SNF , clinics etc just not having a luck finding job

AnonymousLPN · Jun 16, 2014

You're in Florida?

This is the summer. Hiring usually picks up for the season. If you can hang on a few more months, the job situation should improve as Northern visitors and snowbirds fracture bones and have to come to facilities for rehab. This will create the need for more nurses. I'm not sure if it would make a difference if you state in your cover letter that you would happily consider a temporary position for "snowbird season". The facility might be more willing to consider you if they know they don't have to worry about what to do with you when census starts dropping when the Northerners head home.

You might want to checks into ALFs. They usually have Med Techs for med pass, but have a nurse on staff for the things Med Techs can't do such as insulin injections.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2014

I've been to 8 interview but still have no luck getting an offer.

Welcome to Allnurses.com!

Many new grads do not even receive calls to come in for interviews, so you're doing something correctly. Your job applications and/or resume is good enough to prompt HR staff and hiring managers to pick up the phone and schedule interviews with you.

Now, here is the rough part many people might not want to hear. If you've sat through 8 interviews and no one wanted to hire you, then your presentation might be a part of the problem. When I say presentation, I AM NOT referring to professional attire and appearance. Rather, I am referring to how a candidate presents oneself socially in the interview.

To be blunt, if a person has lackluster interview skills, comes across as uninteresting and lacks that intangible "likeability factor," hiring managers may decide not to hire you, and instead, opt to hire candidates whom they think they will like. When interviewing people, the interviewer is also assessing applicants for intangibles such as positive personality and good interpersonal skills. The main question they want answered is, "Will this applicant be a good fit for our organization?"

You have gotten 8 interviews in a row, and no one selected you for hire. The new grad status and lack of experience is a convenient excuse because they knew you were a new grad before they picked up the phone to schedule that interview.

If interviewing skills are the problem, perhaps you could polish them? I know you are growing tired of sitting through interviews while well-dressed, but in this ultra competitive job market and sluggish economy, LPN jobs do not come as easily as they used to. Good luck to you!

Carrie RN · Jun 17, 2014

Read "Sixty Seconds and You're Hired".

Depressnewgrad, ADN · Jun 19, 2014

Out of 8 I was actually got 2 offers but the problem is I took one offer over the other one for one simple reason I was offered a full time job with the second offer the first one was a prn job. I have no choice but to say no to the prn one because the training was schedule the same day as my full time job was scheduled , however this full time job didn't work out for some reason they only give me a day of training because two nurses quit on my second day of training do I was put to work on my own that day without anybody helping me . I felt so unsafe because I have nobody else to help me yet I manage 2 days to work on my own until I talk to the DON that I needed some more training she told me she cannot give it to me so I just quit right there. I regret it I should have just suck it up I was just too scared to make mistake but now I'm unemployed thanks god my husband have good income but still I want to work instead of staying home all day trying to apply online everywhere.thabk you for all your advices it really helps me a lot

Carrie RN · Jun 20, 2014

Ok. Well, you found yourself a crappy DNS. She never should have turned you loose with so little orientation. Keep looking.

jocelynb · Jun 21, 2014

Keep looking. Unfortunately as LPNs the job market is limited. Look on indeed.com and Craigslist. Seek additional certifications and volunteer while you are still searching. Some places will not hire you without a year experience. So at least stay in a hospital or ltc for a year once you are hired. Good luck!

Depressnewgrad, ADN · Jun 21, 2014

I will do that thanks much for the advices. Actually homecare hired me but the training is only 4 hours I'm not so sure if this is safe .

jocelynb · Jun 21, 2014

I ask myself that everytime when I am hired in a different area that I do not have experience in. Be confident in yourself. Remember what you learned in school and work only within your scope as an lpn.

Interpolfan89 · Aug 28, 2014

Welcome to Allnurses.com!
Many new grads do not even receive calls to come in for interviews, so you're doing something correctly. Your job applications and/or resume is good enough to prompt HR staff and hiring managers to pick up the phone and schedule interviews with you.
Now, here is the rough part many people might not want to hear. If you've sat through 8 interviews and no one wanted to hire you, then your presentation might be a part of the problem. When I say presentation, I AM NOT referring to professional attire and appearance. Rather, I am referring to how a candidate presents oneself socially in the interview.
To be blunt, if a person has lackluster interview skills, comes across as uninteresting and lacks that intangible "likeability factor," hiring managers may decide not to hire you, and instead, opt to hire candidates whom they think they will like. When interviewing people, the interviewer is also assessing applicants for intangibles such as positive personality and good interpersonal skills. The main question they want answered is, "Will this applicant be a good fit for our organization?"
You have gotten 8 interviews in a row, and no one selected you for hire. The new grad status and lack of experience is a convenient excuse because they knew you were a new grad before they picked up the phone to schedule that interview.
If interviewing skills are the problem, perhaps you could polish them? I know you are growing tired of sitting through interviews while well-dressed, but in this ultra competitive job market and sluggish economy, LPN jobs do not come as easily as they used to. Good luck to you!

i completely agree! These employers don't like to waste their time. They knew you were a new grad when they they asked you to interview so that's not it at all. Before I go on any interview, I google a bunch of questions typically asked at interviews and try to craft answers ahead of time ( of course I make sure they don't sound recited at the interview). Practice speaking in front of a mirror and smiling in front of a mirror. Make sure you feel you look good too (it will boost your confidence). Come with questions for the employer too (so you know what you are getting yourself into). When I was looking for my first job as a new grad lpn, I applied to 20 positions in various settings. I only got one call back for an interview, and was offered the job before I left the building. Beforehand I just told myself "if I got the interview, I got the job". It's always worked for me lol. I also label my alarm "success!!!".Just relax and be cool, that job will come. I am impressed though that a new grad landed 8 interviews. Your resume must look good :)