I am a new grad LVN (Passed the NCLEX-PN in march 2021). I had high hopes that I could get a job at hospitals helping with COVID vaccines or testing however, the required qualifications include "a minimum of six months acute care experience". I was a CNA in a SNF, and have no acute care experience. I applied anyway, but I haven't received an interview offer.
My question is, what are the pathways you took as a new grad LVN to obtain a job in a hospital setting? Did you work in a SNF first to get experience and then apply to an acute care setting?
Also, besides SNF, do you have any suggestions for jobs as a new grad lvn? I recently received a job offer to work at a school health office as a school nurse. I read a few articles saying school nurse isn't a good option for a new grad because it is a very independent position, but will this be a good experience to put on my resume for the future?
I don't have many people I can ask for nursing advice so any advice will be much appreciated.
The outpatient clinic setting offers some great patient care experience. I would say job search based on finding an organization that has an excellent culture reputation and just get your foot in the door. Reflecting back over all my years of work, how the company treats their employers has mattered more to me than anything else. In the beginning it will feel frustrating that we aren't considered for 99.9% of the roles in the acute setting, but there is a lot more out there. I've been an LVN since 2003 and I have worked in just about every setting that our licensure allows. (I do not recommend home health for new grads though as the job is very autonomous.) Good luck and congrats!
Thank you all for your feedback. I truly appreciate it! I am grateful for how far I have come from CNA to LVN. Getting my license was serious work! My mom is constantly pushing for me to immediately pursue my BSN, but I feel it is better to gain a bit of experience first before deciding if I want to further my education. She is an RN herself and she puts a lot of emphasis on how much they make but money isn't the biggest motivator for me; as long as the job can give me stability to live in California, valuable learning opportunities, and a chance to provide quality nursing care, I'm good... and I feel as though LVN can accomplish that for me. There are many respectable LVNs out there that deserve as much recognition as RNs.
I noticed for many people, being an LVN is not "good enough" and every one will always have opinions, saying being RN is better because LVN will get compensated less for the same work they do as RN and also, there aren't as many opportunities for LVNs. I understand where people are coming from, but I feel it is not their place to say which position is more worthy than the other. Maybe down the line, when I get more experience as an LVN, I will decide if pursuing my BSN will be worth it, but for now, I'd like to explore my options as an LVN.
Thanks for taking the time to read through my thoughts! I'd love to hear any thoughts or feedback you may have ?
Thank you all for your feedback. I truly appreciate it! I am grateful for how far I have come from CNA to LVN. Getting my license was serious work! My mom is constantly pushing for me to immediately pursue my BSN, but I feel it is better to gain a bit of experience first before deciding if I want to further my education. She is an RN herself and she puts a lot of emphasis on how much they make but money isn't the biggest motivator for me; as long as the job can give me stability to live in California, valuable learning opportunities, and a chance to provide quality nursing care, I'm good... and I feel as though LVN can accomplish that for me. There are many respectable LVNs out there that deserve as much recognition as RNs.
I noticed for many people, being an LVN is not "good enough" and every one will always have opinions, saying being RN is better because LVN will get compensated less for the same work they do as RN and also, there aren't as many opportunities for LVNs. I understand where people are coming from, but I feel it is not their place to say which position is more worthy than the other. Maybe down the line, when I get more experience as an LVN, I will decide if pursuing my BSN will be worth it, but for now, I'd like to explore my options as an LVN.
Thanks for taking the time to read through my thoughts! I'd love to hear any thoughts or feedback you may have ?
Hi there.
I'm in going into my 3rd week of CNA School with 3 more weeks to go and I'm already considering my future school for LVN once I move to Colorado Springs.
My hope is to get at least 1 year of experience working as a CNA then go LVN, so studying and working 32-36 hours a week seems to be my future goal once I finish CNA school, get my CNA, work for 3 months in CA then make the move to Colorado Springs.
I also want to study Musical Theatre at the same time.
I'm choosing to take the longer route because I don't want to give up Musical Theatre just to commit to a 4 year BSRN Program.
So I'm going CNA to LVN to RN to BSRN while working and studying Musical Theatre. I also got ministry work from God to do as I am a devout Christian. I'm in no hurry and I plan on taking as much time as I need to accomplish all of this.
Every one of us has our own unique journey of life, other people can give you advice, but they can't live your life for you: you do. So it is up to you to decide how you want to live your life.
I sense a similar attitude about LVN "not being good enough" or "just go straight to BSRN".
I know every position in the medical field has it's own important role to play: CNA, LVN, RN, BSRN, NP, etc.
thisisme, LVN
38 Posts
The outpatient clinic setting offers some great patient care experience. I would say job search based on finding an organization that has an excellent culture reputation and just get your foot in the door. Reflecting back over all my years of work, how the company treats their employers has mattered more to me than anything else. In the beginning it will feel frustrating that we aren't considered for 99.9% of the roles in the acute setting, but there is a lot more out there. I've been an LVN since 2003 and I have worked in just about every setting that our licensure allows. (I do not recommend home health for new grads though as the job is very autonomous.) Good luck and congrats!