LVN... not what I expected

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I graduated LVN school in December of '18 and obtained my state license end of January '19 and it took me 2 and half months to find a job. I have previous clinical experience as a Medical Assistant for 13 years, but a lot of LVN jobs wanted experience as a LVN so I ended up in dialysis. So I cannot say I absolutely hate my job, but it definitely is not what I expected. I am doing what a dialysis technician does but I can pass medications and perform catheter care and use the catheters to give the patients their treatment. I work 16 to 17 hours 3 days a week so I am tired. I was just wondering has any LVN's had their first jobs out of school make you feel like you should not have gone to LVN school? I tried to get into RN school and did not make it in so I went the route of LVN, but I feel like I am just a glorified Medical Assistant. Shoot as a Medical Assistant I felt I was able to do more than I do now as a LVN. I guess I just thought that getting a job as a LVN would be easier than it was and that I would at least be able to be in a setting where I use my nursing skills that I learned in school. I mean LVN school was not easy! I gave up a lot to to school and went through a lot in that one year and I feel like I should have just stayed a Medical Assistant. I found more opportunities as a Medical Assistant than I have being a LVN. Maybe I am just a little discouraged that being a LVN is not exactly what I thought it was going to be. I have been looking for another job for a few months already and still nothing has come up. Just feel discouraged and tired and wondering if anyone else had those feelings at the beginning of their LVN career too?

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I’m sorry that you are feeling this way after all you went through in school and what you sacrificed. You are definitely not alone in how you feel. I don’t know what state you are in but I am in MA and here there are quite a few settings LPNs can work in that use various skill sets. Since you worked as a medical assistant previously, would you want to go back to a clinic setting? There are many different departments within clinics that could use different skill sets (OB/GYN, urgent care, pediatrics etc). You could work in a long term acute setting where you may use trach and vent skills, wound care etc. You could do home care (private duty or home health visits) where you’d see all sorts of things. You could work at a dermatological or plastic surgery type clinic. You could work in assisted living, or substance abuse clinics, schools, or summer camps. It all depends on where your interests lie. I think it’s great that you got into a dialysis clinic as your first LPN job! You’ll be fine! Don’t throw away that LPN license just yet haha

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I realize now that I really love being in the clinical setting. I have tried to apply anywhere else and everyone wants more experience. I'm definitely not giving up my license yet haha. I worked way too hard for it, just a little discouraged and ready to go back to school for my RN which is just another set of challenges in itself.

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Specializes in ER OR LTC Code Blue Trauma Dog.
16 hours ago, jasnxs84 said:

I have previous clinical experience as a Medical Assistant for 13 years, but a lot of LVN jobs wanted experience as a LVN

Healthcare experience is healthcare experience.

I think it's plain silly and nonsensical how employers try to make it sound like an LVN position is so vastly different than anything you've ever done or even encountered in the past in healthcare before.

It's not exactly like you're transitioning from working in healthcare, to a new job working space missions for NASA.

Your previous healthcare experience certainly should "count" even if it's not specifically directly related. For employers to suggest otherwise is just an exercise measuring the different heights of fleas, in the same flea circus.

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I totally agree! Why make it seem like I have no healthcare experience whatsoever and I was one of the most senior Medical Assistants in my facility. It is very frustrating and I dont understand why they are likr that with LVN/LPN because I know that new graduate RN's are sought after a lot and a lot of them have no experience in the medical field.

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So many LPNs job hop for awhile to find what’s best. There are more options than you think. I personally think dialysis sounds awful lol but some LPNs love it. I don’t mind long term care. I currently work at a rehabilitation hospital where I’m lucky because it’s super fun for an LPN. Don’t be afraid If you don’t like it to leave and explore your options. I’ve worked at 3 different facility’s in my 2 years so far. Think about what you would want to do every single day. Doctors office, you can be a scrub tech, assisted livings are nice if you aren’t totally into the nursing home thing it’s a foot in the door for experience in long term care. Best of luck ?

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I didn't know lpn's can be scrub techs. Yea dialysis is not fun only because of the super long hours and it does not feel like I am using my nursing skills as much as I would like. I really am not into long term care for just different reasons. I did 2 clinical rotations through ltc and just knew it was not for me. I'm definitely trying to explore my options but people want experience which I dont but 5 months of experience as a lpn/LVN.

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Yes sometimes you have to go through more training for a scrub tech program I would look at your local hospitals! Offices typically hire new nurses. If you’re not into floor nursing at all insurance company’s will hire LPNs sometimes you can work from home if you have a family! But there are tons of options honestly just look all over the internet at local hospitals and offices ?

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Specializes in Nursing Educator.

If you still want to become an RN, it’s much easier to get into a bridge program when you have already been an RN.

Its difficult for most people to get their first nursing job. It’s great that it only took a few months to get it. Life is too short to not love what you do.

I suggest that you have a goal. What is the ultimate dream job for you? When you absolutely know that is what you want to do, then figure out how to get there. What will it take? It may take a couple of years or more to get there. If you have a plan and put it into action your goal will be achievable.

If you find that as time goes on, you enjoy this line of work you are in there are opportunities down the road. You can one day be a case manager for dialysis patients. That would take going back to school to complete your RN and possibly BSN.

I was an LVN before becoming an RN. I’ve held several positions. Keep working at what you want to do and become. Never stop learning and growing in your practice. Always stay curious.

Maryrose, RN, MSN, CEO

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