LPNs- where did you work as new grads?

Glycerine82, LPN · May 7, 2019

I graduated in 2016 and my first job as a nurse was in a skilled nursing facility with 154 beds. I primarily worked on the subacute rehab floor with 2 other nurses and 5 CNAs.

Fast forward 3 years and I am the only nurse for 32 patients with 2 CNAs. About half of my patients are long term and the rest are subacute rehab ranging from s/p CABG to strengthening. You would think that I'd be petrified but I'm either insane or confident, I'm not sure which. As scary as that sounds I somehow make it work by prioritizing and delegating when I can.

You'll likely get job leads from your clinical sites, as well.

FashionablyL8, CNA, LPN · May 11, 2019

Thanks for your reply, Glycerine! Wow, you must have nerves of steel to take care of all those people- I'm going with you being confident, not insane ?. It sounds like you really enjoy what you do too, which is very encouraging.

That sounds like a job I would interested in, although perhaps with about a quarter of the residents lol. I work in a long term care facility for developmentally delayed individuals and I really like taking care of the same people day after day and knowing them well. I like my routine too.

Thanks again!

vgtigger101 · May 13, 2019

Hey there,

After going through my LPN program where we primary did clinicals in the nursing home and after working in a nursing home during school, I knew I did not want to work at a LTC facility. Actually, my first interview was with LTC and they only offered me $15.50 an hour! I left and thankfully got offered a job at a drug and rehab facility at $19. It was a 13 bed unit and the only way the 13th bed was filled was if we ended up with a pregnant patient. I was unsure of the job because in school you don't learn much about psych, but I severely loved the job. During RN school I went into pediatrics because everyone talks so highly of it and I hated it. As an RN I have been working over a year in psych and plan on becoming a PMHNP.

It may seem that your only option is geriatrics when your an LPN, but looking back on it now there are many different odd jobs for LPNs. I used to work with a few who did agency where they were always in different facilities. Home health care is another area where many LPNs do well and learn many skills.

Good luck in school!

**Elektra6, ASN, BSN, RN** · May 14, 2019

I worked at a LTC on subacute and regular floor. No hospital would hire me as an LPN. After 1 1/2 years I started working private duty home health and have been here ever since!

TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN · May 14, 2019

LPN's are still used in hospitals where I live so I started out on a med/surg telemetry floor did that for several years and started in psychiatric nursing shortly before becoming an RN.

I dabbled in LTC along the way and actually enjoyed it quite a bit.

A lot of LPN's I know also work in ambulatory settings and private duty, however these positions pay less, but money isn't everything.

Correctional nursing is another area that LPN's are utilized in and I have known people that loved it and made a very good living at the same time.

Psychiatric nursing is another area that LPN's tend to be utilized in and I would encourage you to consider (though I am a bit biased because I love psych), pay is typically competitive and LPN's typically are used as Medication nurses in this area which I think is a pretty enjoyable job, but I love giving meds.

I was very fortunate to have a lot of opportunities as an LPN and I hope you are able to have a number of options when you graduate!

HeartThrobNurse · May 17, 2019

Hello, I started working in a hospital when I first graduated. I joined a summer internship program offered for new graduates. Once the program ended, I applied to work there and became hired to work on a PRN basis. I have a colleague who was employed in a outpatient dialysis clinic after graduating and passing her boards. Today she is a Certified Hemodialysis Nurse (CHN) and makes great pay. Where are you considering work at?