Dear Nurse Beth, I am a 53 year old newly licensed LPN and had a tough time finding a job. My classmates are younger and pretty much all of them got hired within two weeks of passing the NCLEX.
NursesNurse BethArticle
I had my instructor review my resume and give me some tips, but I still had no interviews. Two months later, I had an interview with a medical practice for an office LPN and they knew I was a new grad but they said they were willing to train me. The next day I got offered the job which of course I accepted.
Once I was hired and went through some computer and lab training, I was assigned to work with a provider that was verbally abusive and everyday he always told me that he hated working with new nurses and he preferred to work with CMA's because they are more "savvy". I went to my supervisor with my concerns and I was told to "let it go in one ear and out the other" because it was "just his personality". He still persisted in calling me "old" "slow" and "fat". I am not slow and I do keep up just fine.
After working for two months, I was called into my supervisor's office and told that they were terminating me because the provider "didn't have the time or the patience to work with a new nurse". If this was the case, why did they hire a nurse they knew was newly licensed?
I was devastated but maintained my composure and went home. I filed for unemployment and starting looking for another job.
The upside to the situation is that I learned a wealth of information - as well as doing many blood draws and lab tests, charting, etc. I felt I should list the job on my resume because of the experience I gained, but I'm not sure if that is working for me or against me. I've never been fired from a job - ever.
It has been hard finding work and I feel that maybe this practice is either torpedoing me or again, it could be my age. I've been on three interviews - which always go well - and then nothing. I always follow up with an email thanking them for their time, etc., but then nothing. I am getting worried because I need to find work as a nurse for the experience because I'm new, but I'm starting to lose hope.
Do you have any suggestions as far as my resume? Should I have listed this practice or would I have been better to leave it off.
Thank you.
Dear Worried,
What a devastating experience to have when you are just starting your nursing career! There are so many things wrong with how you were treated that I can't even go there- my blood pressure will go up, I'm afraid.
You are to be commended for having grace under fire and showing composure.
Landing a job as an LPN is a function of market need and supply in your geographical area. One of the largest employers of LPNs is sub-acute care facilities.
You are landing interviews, so your resume is effective - but your interviewing skills may need honing. Call the three employers/hiring managers who did not hire you and simply ask "I would appreciate your feedback, I am working on improving my interviewing skills, can you help me with some feedback?"
If you are lucky, maybe one of them will respond - but it's worth your time, as you have nothing to lose.
Regarding whether or not you should leave off this job on your applications - It's always wise to answer all questions on a job application honestly and completely, as being found out later will cost you the job. It's too big of a risk. And you will have no peace of mind waiting for the shoe to drop. Be prepared to speak to the short tenure if asked: "It wasn't a good fit although I gained many skills" and segue forward positively "I look forward to joining an organization that shares my values." Period.
