LVN......applying for CNA jobs

[BA.LVN]

Hello, I'm in a dilemma (aren't we all?) I graduated in March 2008 from an LVN program, passed my boards, received my license in July 2008. I thought I was so ahead of people in my class b/c before I graduated I was applying places and even got a contract job at a health/wellness company helping perform health screenings. A few months after having my license, still no luck w/ a full time nursing job. I finally gave into agency work and was hired for a few temp positions (school cases in the classroom setting). Well, now those cases are over and done w/ and nothing else has come up for me as far as an LVN job (of course I've applied numerous places, had leads, had people even refer me). Nothing.

Sooooo, I'm at the point of applying for CNA positions. Part of me doesn't think I'll mind that type of work b/c I mainly enjoy nursing for the sole fact that I'm helping people. I know that CNA work can be tough on the body, but part of me likes the fact that it's "easier" work b/c I feel so burnt out on applying for nursing jobs and not being able to get the experience I need. I figure if I can at least get my foot in the door at a hospital/facility then I can get hired for an LVN position from w/in down the line.

I have already contacted my BON for Ca. They couldn't really tell me what I needed to know. They referred me to the Dept. of Public Health. The CNA certification division there told me I could practice w/in the scope of a CNA if I had my LVN, and I would not need to take an exam/course, etc. They have a letter in the mail to me.

Just curious if any of you have gone "back down" this route. I am sooo tired of searching for ONLY nursing positions and not getting anywhere over a year later. I am open to at least being able to work alongside nurses and in a healthcare setting. The alternatives at this point would be jobs out of the nursing/healthcare field just to pay the bills.

Any constructive input is appreciated!

Oh, and nursing is my second "career" so it's a little discouraging....maybe I'll go back to photography....lol

[fascinoma]

Phlebotomy isn't a hard program, I did it before I was even thinking of getting into nursing. I did a two week fast track program (so I could be done with it by the time that school started back up in the fall), then did a one week externship at a hospital.

It just takes a while (up to a year!) to actually get licensed in California, and may be hard to get that first job in. Try to work with a school that actually has job placement of some kind.

In the Bay Area, many phlebotomists make around $18 an hour. I knew a medical assistant (she was *my* usual phlebotomist, when I went for my blood draws) that got into phlebotomy because she already was licensed and had the training, but she didn't want to do medical assisting.

I am going to be taking LVN as a stepping stone to RN, and I'm keeping my weekend home care job while I do this so that I will not have an issue with being jobless until the LVN job comes along.

I plan to retake phlebotomy and renew my EMT license/get my ambulance certification. At least even if I can't get work *as an Lvn* I will still be working. Another possibility is working for insurance companies as a paramedical examiner but I don't know if this is a scam or not.

Maybe it's easier thinking about this because I think of the LVN as "pre-RN coursework".

[treeloc]

HI there! It's been a while since, i've been online. Yea, it's the pits! I read what everyone's opinion is. The fact here is that everyone's "walk to hospital" work is different. Sometimes it's mere chance or luck. I never had luck on my side and anything I got was from hard work. I think that if CNA in the hospital is the only way to land a LVN job then it's what works for you. I'm an optimist even though it doesn't sound like it. It'll come, but I hope not too late since I'm 56 and don't have many more years to work!

Stay UP!

Treeloc

[didi768]

I think I'd love phlebotomy. Anyone know what school would cost for this and how long the program is? I am an LPN now doing home care for peds part time.

The addiction center didn't work out and I didn't care for the jail and how busy it was. Home care is good so I can be here for the boys!

D

[caliotter3]

I recently saw a phlebotomy course near me that was around $2000, give or take. Seemed too good to be true the way most of these schools go.

[ALYJOSHDA7]

I was a paramedical examiner for awhile. I was initially a phlebotomist for many years, so I had the phlebotomy experience. The job consisted of going to client's homes or arranged meeting place, ie. insurance office and taking a patient history, doing blood pressures, weights, specimen collection (mostly blood and/or urine). Depencing on where you go, I have known some women who would take their husbands with them to higher crime areas. Different insurance companies use different labs to process their work, so you always needed to make sure you had the right collection kit based on who the insurance carrier used. If you can find an independent paramedical examiner who needs help with their clients, you will make more money than working for one of the larger companies. You will need your own transportation. The company you work for will send you wherever the client is and will usually provide you with the needed supplies, (blood collection kits, centrifuge to process the specimens and mailing supplies). You usually get paid on the basis of what all you do. If it is a history, bp, etc and urine collection, you might get paid one price, if it includes a blood collection, then the price goes up. I stopped doing these when the gas prices went way up and the company that I worked for was sending me 20+ miles from home for most clients. It was good in that you call the client and set up the appointment at your convenience, so you make your own schedule. You have to be detail oriented because the paperwork has to be filled out correctly and the client has to sign in the proper spots. Some companies take off money when the paperwork is not filled out correctly. I hope that helps anyone interested in the field.