LPN grad... advice on job hunting

babieblue2 · Dec 12, 2010

Go back to school. Only long term care facilities and home health hire LPN's. Most hospitals only hire RN's, Mayo clinic will only hire 4 year RN's and just layed off all LPN's in acute care settings

king_of_the_hill_fan · Dec 12, 2010

I ran into that problem a couple months ago here in CA. I got a job a few weeks ago at one of the sites I did a clinical rotation at. I think my instructor had a lot to do with it by putting in a very good word for me.

However, once I got that job, I got a couple of other offers from submitting my resume everywhere. I really punched up my cover letter by highlighting all the independent and/or hands on experience I had as a student at the different clinical sites I was at. I bolded the facility names and bolded the very, very short synopis of what I did at that particular facility. Ex: At CCMSF, I worked unsupervised passing meds during the PM shift. That way, the important details pop out.

Just keep applying...and when you send an email, write a little paragraph saying who are you, where you went to school, and any other applicable accomplishments. I always end with "thank you for your time and consideration, sincerely _______".

raebabelvn, LVN · Dec 12, 2010

Go back to school. Only long term care facilities and home health hire LPN's. Most hospitals only hire RN's, Mayo clinic will only hire 4 year RN's and just layed off all LPN's in acute care settings

LPN/LVN is a valid job. Places hire us. If you want to go back to school to further your education and become an RN, then go for it! But, don't give up on the job hunt. A lot of home health places will hire LVN's. I was hired as one straight out of school. Every place I've applied at has had the 1 year experience rule, but if you send a cover letter or get a chance to talk to the person hiring, plead your case. Sell yourself, say you're a quick learner, hard worker, ect ect... Doctor's offices and clinics also employ LVN's. Nursing homes are not your only option.

crzychick722 · Dec 12, 2010

Seems like every few years, in this area, the hospitals decide to get rid of LPN's, then in a few years, they bring them back.

If you can, I would try to find a hospital that does hire lpns, apply at those. Work at one for a few years, it will help solidify everything you learned in school. And much easier than going into LTC and then trying hospital. But if LTC is your thing and you don't see yourself anywhere else, then go for that.

Don't call, show up. I think it just aggravates them, especially at nursing homes, they have enough problems getting people to come in.

2011NursingStudent · Dec 12, 2010

I could be wrong, but I *think* a lot of the ads looking for medical assistants will also take LPNs, is that right? I was browsing a job board to see what was out there, and it looks like clinics, doctor's offices, etc would hire an LPN for a job they are advertising for a medical assistant for. I don't know if the pay is as good as a place that's looking to hire an LPN, but at least it broadens the search to include more jobs.

silentRN · Dec 12, 2010

I saw that my hospital started hiring LPNs in the OB department.

pnmia10 · Dec 12, 2010

Go back to school. Only long term care facilities and home health hire LPN's. Most hospitals only hire RN's, Mayo clinic will only hire 4 year RN's and just layed off all LPN's in acute care settings

Wow thanks for your stellar advice! I didn't put any thought whatsoever into becoming an RN!.... seriously if this is all ya got please take it somewhere else.Cheers

pnmia10 · Dec 12, 2010

Thank you's to everyone else for their helpful post's

lilaclover · Dec 12, 2010

Go back to school. Only long term care facilities and home health hire LPN's. Most hospitals only hire RN's, Mayo clinic will only hire 4 year RN's and just layed off all LPN's in acute care settings

This irritates the s**T out of me.

Most LPN's I know, myself included would love to be able to go back to school to become an RN. However life is not always so easy for everyone. For a lot of people finances have only afforded them the ability to go to school for the 1 - 2 year LPN program. Not everyone can afford 4 years off work and in full time school(here in Canada the only way to get your RN is through a 4 year BN program).

Don't assume we are lazy or lacking ambition just because we haven't had life handed to us on a silver platter.

OCNRN63, RN · Dec 12, 2010

This irritates the s**T out of me.
Most LPN's I know, myself included would love to be able to go back to school to become an RN. However life is not always so easy for everyone. For a lot of people finances have only afforded them the ability to go to school for the 1 - 2 year LPN program. Not everyone can afford 4 years off work and in full time school(here in Canada the only way to get your RN is through a 4 year BN program).
Don't assume we are lazy or lacking ambition just because we haven't had life handed to us on a silver platter.

And just because someone became an RN doesn't mean they had life handed to them on a silver platter.

lilaclover · Dec 12, 2010

And just because someone became an RN doesn't mean they had life handed to them on a silver platter.

No obviously not. The majority of RN's have sacrificed at lot to get where there are. But I am tired of off handed comments made to LPN's like "oh go back to school" like we don't know any better. Why tell us to go back and get our RN? Every LPN knows about this option and has it rubbed in their face on a daily basis. Most LPN's would love to go back if they could.