Need advice for LPN grad

systoly · Mar 17, 2014

think about why many employers prefer at least one year experince

what you get in school is the foundation, the rest of the house is

constructed while practicing

many employers these days prefer turn key

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Mar 17, 2014

Tough it out until you get that year under your belt. Going into the hospital would require you to endure on the job training, anyway. As a new grad, if you're fortunate enough to get a hospital job in this trending BSN-preferred world, you would be utilized amongst other nurses in order to gain the skills that you need. You would be assigned a preceptor, but if another nurse needed an IV started or a foley inserted, for example, your preceptor should suggest that you perform the task. So, don't worry about your skills. They will definitely be taken care of. Congratulations on the LPN and the new job! :yes:

Now for the bitter truth:arghh:. If you want/hope to get into the hospital setting, you might STRONGLY consider enrolling in an LPN-RN bridge program whether it is classroom or online. There are too many RNs to count who are in the exact same boat as you are. Some of them are hindered because they are ASN instead of BSN nurses. Some of them have been out of school for as many as 3 years, still searching for employment. As a former LPN myself, I was already working in the hospital and I never quit my job while pursuing the RN. I tried to resign and spread my wings immediately after, but was met with BSN preferred and/or the need for the MINIMUM of 1 year of PAID RN experience, not just having passed the NCLEX for a year. Mind you, I had been an LPN for 23-24 years, working in the hospital setting when I entered college in 2009. But none of that mattered then, nor in this day in age:madface:. My job wasn't forcing me to return to school, but they definitely were trying to get their money's worth by using the ones who could do more of the required duties. LPNs still needed RNs to validate or initiate certain things. So why pay an LPN (and) an RN when they could just assign an RN? :uhoh3:

Anyway, I thought I would just give you a little heads-up on what I'm sure they didn't tell you in LPN school. I was told by my instructor way back when, in my LPN nursing school days, that they were going to phase out LPNs. Now, the infamous THEY are actually doing it. We have 3 or 4 LPNs at one of my hospital jobs who are racing against the clock for the RN. Time's up for them on January 1, 2015. Good luck to you and try to sit tight where you are for the remainder of the year if you can.

itsmejuli · Mar 17, 2014

This is the Canada forum, please pay attention to the forum headings before posting your comments. The OP is in Alberta, Canada where the employment climate for LPNs is very different from American LPNs.

To the OP, don't fret about losing your skills because skills can always be relearned.

Unfortunately its a tough job market for nurses right now here in Alberta. We're all hoping things turn around soon.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Mar 17, 2014

Ok. When I click on General Nurses, nothing on the links that I clicked on indicated that this was in Canada whatsoever. In fact the second link that I clicked on wast the OP's title post....still nothing to indicate that this was a Canada forum. I now see the Canada indication secondary to the bold title that overshadowed it. Please accept my apology and feel free to delete my response along with this one as well. Thank you!!!

dlaurel · Mar 17, 2014

Hi nflores, I would suggest you try community nursing with home health care organizations like St Elizabeth as they hire new grad and provide you with a good orientation plus preceptor-ship and you get to keep your skills. You can keep your clinic job and work with them on weekends only. They give good training, inservice and certifications to keep ur skills up to date. Getting into hospitals now is almost impossible. Wish you all the best.

Fiona59 · Mar 17, 2014

OK, Joanna and myself actually work for AHS so, our input might be a bit more relevant.

It is easier to get "in" with some outside experience than none at all.

Trust me, floor nursing isn't all it's cracked up to be. Now here's what you need to understand, when you get hired by AHS to work on the floor, you don't just get to run around starting IVs. You are required to do an in-service with a CNE and have three witnessed starts before you are cut loose on the public. The buddy shifts with a nurse on your unit is to hone the skills relevant for that unit. The unit I work, I think we've inserted one foley in the last 18 months. That doesn't make me less of a nurse than one who works Urology. There are yearly in-services for all staff that are mandatory on how to work the not so SMART pumps, Kangaroos, etc. Some units never see a tube feed from year to year.

Now having said that, AHS hires for homecare in the community. They look for a lot of casuals. There are hours, you just have to get into the system.

You could also try Covenant Health if you are in the Edmonton area.

But trust me, I've worked clinics, I've worked LTC, and am in Acute Care. The grass is always greener where you aren't.

You are no less a nurse than me, you are probably happier as you don't do night shift or pay as much for parking as me.

Now, hold your head up and ignore posters who don't know anything about nursing in Alberta.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2014

Nursing is more about problem solving, thinking ahead and choosing a range of options which will come with time. The "hard" skills....inserting IVs, catheters etc can virtually be taught to anyone. But not everyone will understand the rationale for WHY you would do something, like nurses do.

My IV skills are not good because I don't get the practise. However, I do understand the rationales well and I know to watch for potential complications. Hospital nursing isn't all it's cracked up to be, and the majority of the jobs won't be in hospitals anyway. Community based nursing is the wave of the future.

Alberta is a rough market, even for experienced nurses. The new CEO is a nurse, so maybe she will be a positive force. Who knows? Get some experience where you are and then look at moving on. Don't worry about all the skills. They can be learned and re- learned.

lilaclover6984 · Mar 18, 2014

I have almost 5 years of acute care hospital experience and have recently left AHS for a clinic job and have never been happier!!!

Believe me, you aren't missing out on much by not working in hospital.

itsmejuli · Mar 18, 2014

I supervise home healthcare aides for a private company. I really like my job, my co-workers, and the managers.

I don't actually do much hands on nursing. But my nursing education has provided me with the knowledge I need to do my job properly.

If something comes up that would require me performing a skill I'm not competent in then I know to seek out my clinical educator.

Trishrpn80 · Mar 18, 2014

Trust me floor nursing isn't all it's cracked up to be. [/quote']
AMEN!!!!