I realize that I am new to the nursing field and my clinical rotations do not count towards experience BUT...
I am so frustrated with the same response "one year of experience required" Uh, helllllo.
I've tried all types of healthcare related employers. I have excellent references and I am open to all positions and shifts. I have 15 years of non-healthcare related Managerial & Accounting experience and I have tailored my resume and cover letter to capitalize on the fact that those skills (accountability, attention to detail, organization, prioritization) can be applied to any industry.
I have run out of ideas.
Please is there something that I am missing? any suggestions?
Just a couple of thoughts. If you are at a point where you don't have much to lose, try a different approach with your resume. Don't focus on your managerial or accounting experience. I picture that most personnel who will read your resume are younger and do not have the professional experience you do and may actually be turned off or even threatened by a person with more life and professional experience albeit in a different field. Also, you may contact a facility that did not respond to your application or maintained one year experience is required and ask the HR person for five minutes of their time. If they agree, you could ask them for help. Something like, " I understand you have no position for me, but I would really welcome your input on my resume or any suggestions you may have". If you decide to pursue this route, please be aware of what days of the week and what times of the day are more likely to produce results, e.g. Mondays and Fridays are usually not good.
I am glad that you mentioned that. I owe a nurse manager a thank you. She gave me 15 mins of her time giving me pointers on my resume. I think she knew I was frustrated. She was one of the first ones to give me the "lack of experience" comment. But she stayed on the phone with me while I picked her brain, and she was very helpful.
You are very welcome. I believe you will find an employer who can appreciate your experience and talents. Until then, it maybe tough, but easy or quick is often not in one's best interest.
You are very welcome. I believe you will find an employer who can appreciate your experience and talents. Until then, it maybe tough, but easy or quick is often not in one's best interest.
So totally true. So here I am. I guess misery loves company (or at least a little "keep your head up")
I live in SE WI and the only LPN jobs around here are in nursing homes. I just started last week. God bless the nurses that work there as I can tell this is not the area for me. Maybe things will be different when I start working NOC's tomorrow. I am glad I will complete my ADN degree this year and will have more job opportunities (hopefully). In the meantime I am gaining work experience that will look good on my resume.
I live in SE WI and the only LPN jobs around here are in nursing homes. I just started last week. God bless the nurses that work there as I can tell this is not the area for me. Maybe things will be different when I start working NOC's tomorrow. I am glad I will complete my ADN degree this year and will have more job opportunities (hopefully). In the meantime I am gaining work experience that will look good on my resume.
I've recently signed up with excelsior to complete my RN. They have accepted a lot of my credits from my associates in accounting making it alot easier and shorter for me to get my RN. But... Am I going to experience the same job search frustration at the end???
Things have to get better. If you have the chance to further your career by all means...go ahead. I am going to keep a positive attitude and just keep looking.
I am in the same situation as you are. A new LPN Grad with no previous experience, and had applied at all different facilities around my area and with no luck. So, I thought of applying as a Nursing Assistant at some local hospitals. I called a nursing recruiter today and asked for his opinion about my idea and he thinks that it's a good one. Because it would get my foot on the door. And he said that if they end up liking my performance, they might hire me as an LPN later. I told him that I am also working on my pre-requisites for RN.
So Good Luck! I just thought I'd share with you what I am going to do in my situation.
but... am i going to experience the same job search frustration at the end???
yvette
yvette - of course there are no guarantees, but from what i can tell, most of the hospitals no longer hire lpn's. they will hire gn's waiting to take nclex, but the lpn positions in the hospitals have vanished due to budget cuts. at least that is the scenario around here.
the lpn jobs in my area can be found in long-term care, some home health (where i did not apply as a new grad with no experience) and some clinics. what i found when i started to apply for jobs was that the pay for the clinic position was only $13.00/hr. i was shocked at how low that was. the nursing home pays better, and working noc's i will also get a shift differential.
so - pursue your rn, you should have better luck landing an rn position then and lpn position. and good luck to you!
I am in the same situation as you are. A new LPN Grad with no previous experience, and had applied at all different facilities around my area and with no luck. So, I thought of applying as a Nursing Assistant at some local hospitals. I called a nursing recruiter today and asked for his opinion about my idea and he thinks that it's a good one. Because it would get my foot on the door. And he said that if they end up liking my performance, they might hire me as an LPN later. I told him that I am also working on my pre-requisites for RN.
So Good Luck! I just thought I'd share with you what I am going to do in my situation.
The problem is that you have to deny the fact that you are an LPN at the hospitals here in upstate NY. I've applied at 4 of the major hospitals and the response I rec'd (not all exactly the same but you'll get the drift), We will not hire an LPN for a cna position. I am not sure if that is an 1199 union rule or the hospital's rules. Any ideas. I don't want to lie but I may have to come to that.
I think the dire economy has a lot to do with this. Try all LTCs and Rehabs and nursing homes. They seem to always have some type of turnover and can hire. Also, do not be adverse to moving if it is possible. And do not forget the apply with local military bases and the VA Center. They are hiring all the time for PNs. Go to va.gov and search. But beware applying for a government job is tedious and you have to submit by the closing date. Also try the Army website at CPOL.mil. You can search for jobs there and they are always hiring PNs and RNs. Good luck!!!
I'm still an LVN student, but I'm already researching my options for when I'm done. The two places I came across that will hire new grad LVNs are medical clinics/offices and corrections. Oh, also the VA, but I don't know much about it yet.
yvesul
56 Posts
I am glad that you mentioned that. I owe a nurse manager a thank you. She gave me 15 mins of her time giving me pointers on my resume. I think she knew I was frustrated. She was one of the first ones to give me the "lack of experience" comment. But she stayed on the phone with me while I picked her brain, and she was very helpful.
So, before I forget... Thank you.
yvette