LVNs=no job?

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i don't know what to do anymore. so i graduated honors in july 2009 as LVN. passed my hesi and nclex with flying colors. took a IV and Blood withdrawal class to expand my skills and knowledge. i would like to think i have a great resume. here i am with no decent job at all. i started at an agency recently but it's so unstable...so far i had only worked one day. waiting for my schedule probably next week. and it's only $18 per hour. but i'll just never know when i'll work.

then i just had an interview today as a home health aide that i applied long time ago and she really likes me...it's $14 per hour and .50cents every mile because i have to drive to the client's house. i mean i don't have any other medical experience besides what i had from my school's clinical rotations. i just don't feel sane anymore...i mean i applied everywhere and i mean i also did walk-ins. it's terrible...if i take the job with such a low rate, am i being crazy? i'm so desperate for a job and experience...

i feel like i've worked so hard in school...especially passing nclex so that i can get a head start. and i passed it the first time...took IV class and bloodwithdrawal to better up the chances of getting hired...but no..things don't happen the way you want them to..

what do you think guys? just take whatever i can get and gain experience?

help.

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Specializes in NICU.

I'm unemployed too. At this point I would take anything I could to get some experience and make some connections.

I would make it clear however, that if they are hiring you and paying you as a home health aide, not a LVN, that you will be working under that scope.

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thanks bobbkat. have you been applying everywhere? btw, she did make that clear and i agreed to it. i mean i guess there's nothing to lose... x_x

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I assume that you are in the state of CA, which currently offers one of the worst job markets for new grad LVNs in the country. If I were you, I'd accept any job at this point in time just to get a foot in the door and gain some healthcare experience. I apologize for being the bearer of such bad news, but your local job market is flooded with too many newly graduated LVNs and not enough jobs to go around for every new nurse who wishes to work.

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My first job as an LVN was at $14.10 an hour, so that $14 an hour is not that bad, considering that recently a home health agency was willing to pay an LVN $14 an hour for one of their cases. Better to take that job at that rate, than to be sitting around waiting for the phone to ring from the other agency. I would work that job and add other shifts at the better pay rate as they become available and you can work them in. Good luck and congratulations on the sure job offer.

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Specializes in Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.

I would take it, get the experience, but keep an eye out for other jobs. Hopefully the job market will turn around soon. Good luck :)

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Specializes in NICU.

Yes, I am applying everywhere too. I'm an RN, but I've tried applying for PCT, aide, whatever I can get. No luck so far.

Good luck! Take what you can get right now, and hopefully shortly you'll be able to use the position as a stepping stone to a better opportunity.

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@TheCommuter: yes i am from california. and yes, i do agree with you. we're overly saturated with new LVN grads...but no jobs here for us. it really sucks...i really need to get my RN asap. do you think that gaining experience as a home health aide is a good experience to put down?

@caliotter3: the agency im currently working for right now is $18 per hour. but like i said it's unstable. sometimes it's one hour..the next maybe it's 4 hours who knows. but the one i got interview today is NOT A LVN JOB. HOME HEALTH AIDE/CAREGIVER...

thanks guys.

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

The job market in my area was never down and out, and is increasing weekly. 120 people just graduated from St. Joes Nursing School, and in an article about the graduation it stated most of them had found jobs. I know everyone cannot move to Central New York State, but there seems to be alot of jobs avalible. Last Sunday I even saw an ad for nurse externs. Hope it gets better in other areas soon. Lots of LPN jobs here too.

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hey realnurse I Pmed you!!! i wanna know more about your area!!

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WOW!!! 14.00 an hr for CNA job. Id love that!!!! Starting pay in okla for cna is usually 10 dollars the most i made starting was 12.50 what 2.50 was differential for working weekends and nights. TAKE IT! any expirence is better than none! Fortunatley I have worked in the medical field since i was 16 yrs old. as an office assistant, part time aide, and medical records.

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BTW, I have years experience as an LVN and recently worked a couple of shifts as a CNA at $12 an hour. Work is work.

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