Searching for first job as a nurse (scared). Advice please!

[PrettyNerd, CNA, LPN, LVN]

Hi awesome people!

I've been wanting to write this for a while but my procrastination skills got the best of me

Anyway, hope I can get some replies on here because this is really important to me.

So I graduated nursing school May of LAST YEAR, because California is known for taking their sweet @$$ time with processing everything, I received my authorization to test for the NCLEX THIS YEAR. I took the NCLEX in June and got my hard copy license end of August. As you can see, it's been a whole year! I am kinda scared. Well... a LOT scared. I feel like I have lost some basic nursing knowledge, I haven't practiced any nursing skills that I learned in nursing clinicals. I REALLY want to just go out there and finally work as a nurse but I'm nervous. These are my fears:

What if I forgot how to do something?

What if I don't remember all the medications?

What if I don't know what to do in an emergency situation?

What if I need to call the Dr? How do I know When I need to call? What do I say? (I'm one of those people that get nervous when making phone calls)

What if I just don't know what to do?

There's a huge gap between time of graduation and now so I feel like I lost a lot. Now that I'm looking for a job, it's kinda scary. I mean, nurses have a lot of responsibilities and have people's lives on their hands, so for obvious reasons, I'm kinda scared. Because of that gap, I feel a little incompetent starting off and not very confident like I was when I graduated.

So I have a few questions for you awesome nurses: BTW I'm an LVN so advice from LVNs or former LVNs are appreciated

1. What can I do to get over this fear? I know I should "not be scared" but can I do something to get over it and just apply somewhere? Where YOU scared?

2. What was your first job as an LVN? Did you like it?

What was your day like? Like what were some of your responsibilities?

3. How long did it take you before you found a job?

4. Did you make any mistakes?

Also, one more question. Since I am an LVN, do we have other options besides LTC?

I am currently a CNA at a SNF and I don't think I want to work in this type of facility, its too fast paced for me, especially starting off.

ALSO (and a lot of you might hate me for this) but I don't drive so Home Health is an option but maybe not yet for me.

I probably sound picky huh?

I just want to go out there and submit my resume but idk how to start or where to go.

I'm writing this late at night so sorry if I'm all over the place. Tired and need to wake up early for work.

Thanks in advanced

[teatimeofthesoul]

I work as an LPN in Illinois, so the qualifications for LVN may be different in CA. I feel like there are many options for you. I did Pediatric homecare for 5 years. You work with 1 patient for 8 hours a day, and if you want to, you may work that same case for years. They teach you everything on the job. Nursing is a high demand field, so they want you there. I wouldn't worry about the break in your work that shows on your resume'. Employers are more flexible than that. I've also worked in Assisted Living, drug rehab, and a psych unit. None of them pay as much as LTC, but they pay more than working in a Dr.'s office. Go for it!

[lvnforschool]

Good morning,

I am an LVN working in Cali. As a new grad you will find it extremely difficult to even find a job. I looked for over 6 months before finally getting hired as a school LVN. EVERYONE wanted at least a year experience. How can you get any experience when you are new? It was completely frustrating. So my best knowledge, is for you to start applying, and see what happens. Most jobs offer training to the facility so you get an idea of what you will be responsible for. Even home health has a nurse you shadow. Good luck and I hope I helped out.