Need Advice Please..

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Hey guys, I recently graduated from an LPN program in Long Island New York, and waiting to take my boards now, since LPN's usually arent hired at hospitals in my area, I'll most likely end up working in a nursing home or clinic, i have two small children so i was thinking clinic hours would be best for me since they usually are closed on holidays, and i can get a morning shift and be home with my kids in the evening, but im afraid if I work at a clinic i might not gain as much knowledge as i would at a nursing home, I also heard clinics pay LPN's less than LTC but im not sure, Is it hard to get a 7am-3pm position as a new LPN at a nursing home? and do u guys suggest clinic or LTC?..Thanks in advance for any suggestions..:):)

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Where I am from (especially at the facility I already work as a CNA) it is very hard for new nurses to obtain the 7-3 shift. There are a lot of nurses who have been at my job for awhile who are still waiting to switch to days.

It is true that you may lose certain skills if you were to work at a clinic or doctor's office, but you have to do what makes you happy. I have also been thinking of working at a clinic when I graduate, and if I do, I will more than likely work in LTC as a per-diem employee so I can keep my skills up. Maybe you could look into that?

Good luck in finding your first LPN job!

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I don't know the ages of your kids, but you might consider flipping your schedule around. Sleep during the day. Spend the evenings with your children. And work nights. People who willingly work nights find less competition in the job world.

If your kids are in school/daycare or you'd have to find child care for them anyway, do the same thing you'd do if you had a day job and sleep while they're away. DH and I did this for many years, and it worked surprisingly well. In your case, you would probably be working some weekends. It's usually easier to find someone to sleep over than to find child care during the weekend days.

Best wishes.

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Thanks to the both of you for the great advice! i'm definetly going to look into both options..

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I have 3 school age children so when I graduate in December I will be looking at clinics for work. I can't do 12 hour shifts and can't do nights. I know I'm taking a pay cut to find a job that works with my other obligations but they are my priority.

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hi Dee, I totally understand where u are coming from, i have 2 kids, one in pre-k and the other is 2yrs old, hopefully I can get a clinic job and work per diem at a nursing home so I dont loose any skills.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, OB/GYN, ER, Geriatrics.

I would work in a clinic for a bit...6 months to a year....just to get the experience you need and then look for a new job in the setting that you want. You might also want to try the VA and see what they have available also. The website is www.vacareers.va.gov they have a lot of jobs posted for LVN's there. You need to look for a postion with GS-O or GS-1 those are the entry level positions that will take new grads or minimal exp.

Best of luck to you on your journey :nurse:

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