I completed my VN program Dec. 2009, but i didn't take my board exam till recently (May 19th '11) because I had to focus on my new family (I had a baby and got married). after my daughter turned 1, I gotten back on studying for the NCLEX, thankfully I passed the first time. just when i thought that the NCLEX is my hardest obstacle, now i'm coming to realize that finding a facility that would hire a new grad is even harder.
Before coming into the VN program i had no previous clinical experience, I work at a Billing company for a long time, i preferred it because of the flexibility of my schedule especially going to school.
Now i'm realizing maybe I should have gotten at least a CNA job just so I have some sort of "Medical Experience"
It's very frustrating.. I'm starting to think that i will never be able to achieve my ultimate goal which is to get my BSN.
The school that i went to had a LVN-RN bridge program, but one of the requirements is u must've at least worked/working as a LVN for a year.. Most of the jobs prefer applicants to have at least a year LVN work experience.
The recently job interview that i went to made me feel like i got it.. the nurse that interviewed me even introduced me to the administrator, and he even said while looking at my resume "this is what we need" then later finding out,
they can't offer me the job. I didn't ask why, maybe i should've..
I just feel like how am i suppose to get work experience if no one will take a chance..
Do u guys have any other suggestions.. should i just apply for a CNA job in a hospital at least i can get clinical experience.. (most LTF/SNF hire LVN) then go back and apply for a LVN position.. or just keep trying..
How long did u guys have to wait till u guys got a call from facilities u guys applied for...
Temp agencies is the answer! I currently work for a agency now here in Houston. I talked to them and let them know i would be starting my LVN program in August. My recruiter told me that they also employed LVN starting at $27/hr (which i a lot in Texas). Then again i would have a lot of previous experience (former Hospital Corpsman, USN) and i would have worked with the company before.
BUT....temp agencies are quick to hire MA's right out of school, MLT's, Phlebotomist, etc so i'm sure they wont have a problem hiring new nurses as well!!!
and like someone else said, it's really easy to get a job at a hospital at NIGHT....especially on a Med/Surg unit. usually all of your patients are sleep anyway PLUS you get differential pay for working at night!!!!
Temp agencies is the answer! I currently work for a agency now here in Houston. I talked to them and let them know i would be starting my LVN program in August. My recruiter told me that they also employed LVN starting at $27/hr (which i a lot in Texas). Then again i would have a lot of previous experience (former Hospital Corpsman, USN) and i would have worked with the company before.
BUT....temp agencies are quick to hire MA's right out of school, MLT's, Phlebotomist, etc so i'm sure they wont have a problem hiring new nurses as well!!!
and like someone else said, it's really easy to get a job at a hospital at NIGHT....especially on a Med/Surg unit. usually all of your patients are sleep anyway PLUS you get differential pay for working at night!!!!
look into medical temp agencies!!!!
I wish you all the best of luck!!!!
Thanks for the response, i did call an agency and they're having me come in next week. Hopefully it works out well..
Have any of you guys heard of Maxim Healthcare.. Let me know what you guys think..
THATS GREAT!!!!! and yes i've heard of Maxim...i've never worked with them though. i do know that as a temp you'll get paid every week though....most do temp to hire as well. I do know you will need a up to date TB test among a few other things
To answer the title question, because you are not a new grad, or and even though you graduated long time ago, you aren't experienced either. To me, that is the worst applicant situation. Waiting too long after graduation is not a good idea.
Still, I thought LVN's didn't have trouble finding job at LTC facilities, if you haven't tried that.
You sound like you are having the same problems I had. I graduated, found out I was pregnant, took my NCLEX a couple months before I had my child and still had a hard time finding a job. I took a refresher course 2 years after I graduated. I finally found a PRN job. but only worked 2 days a month if that. A couple of months ago I found another PRN position at a nursing home got a least a day a week at this place and now finally was offered a part time position working overnight. Keep looking I hope you find something.
I didn't wait to take my NCLEX- I graduated in Feb '11. I was 4.0 student and my resume is perfect. ( I had several resume smarties proofread it for me.) I have a bachelor's degree as well as my LVN and am IV certified. I will work any shift, any distance away, any type of facility, for any salary. I have applied to over 50 different places. I am starting to get nibbles now, but don't have a job yet.
There are a lot of new grad LVN's out there. We just have to stay positive, keep networking, and keep looking for that first job. Hopefully we get lucky, and get the chance to prove ourselves.
Crossing my fingers for you (and the rest of us too!)
Y'all should move to Houston, Tx....land and property is cheap and VERY nice, AND there's a lot of LVN positions here. I check craigslist a lot and find many LVN position available!!!
nelly8706
13 Posts
Temp agencies is the answer! I currently work for a agency now here in Houston. I talked to them and let them know i would be starting my LVN program in August. My recruiter told me that they also employed LVN starting at $27/hr (which i a lot in Texas). Then again i would have a lot of previous experience (former Hospital Corpsman, USN) and i would have worked with the company before.
BUT....temp agencies are quick to hire MA's right out of school, MLT's, Phlebotomist, etc so i'm sure they wont have a problem hiring new nurses as well!!!
and like someone else said, it's really easy to get a job at a hospital at NIGHT....especially on a Med/Surg unit. usually all of your patients are sleep anyway PLUS you get differential pay for working at night!!!!
look into medical temp agencies!!!!
I wish you all the best of luck!!!!