new grad, need some guidance!

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Im a new grad and I just took the nclex a few weeks ago, so I should be getting the results any day now. I just had a few questions. Are lvns needed outside the country? And can they be a traveling nurse. I was looking to have flexible hours, work when I want, so If I want to take a long vacation I can. Also what should I choose as my first place of work. Alot of people tell me to work med-surg is that a good idea? Please if anyone has any advice for me please feel free to write me. I am totally nervous and lost.

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

Canada uses LPNs, but your U.S.-earned LPN license will be useless over there. Canada has more educational requirements in order to become an LPN. In addition, your LVN license will not transfer to another country. You must be an RN who is educated at the baccalaureate level (B.S.N.) in order to work in another country as a nurse.

Some agencies use traveling LVNs, but you will need a solid year of med-surg experience if this is your goal. Good luck!

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Hi, I'm a PN working in Canada. The Commuter is correct in part of her/his answer. Our eduation is different from that of the US but and it is a big BUT, it does not rule out you working as a PN in Canada. We are issued a licence by the province we live in. If we wish to work in another project you submit your credentials to the College of LPNS responsible for that province and they make the decision as to whether you are granted permission to work.

It can be a lengthy and costly process. Most provinces will let you work on your original licence until the decision has been made. So unless you knew which province you were planning a long trip to it wouldn't be worthwhile. A good place to start is CLPNA.com. They have a section which will outline what you need to do.

Where to start? All depends on what your interests are and what fits your life. I always wanted to be on a surgical unit but after grad LTC hours fit my life better. So that is one question you'll have to figure out for yourself.

Good luck and enjoy your new career.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Most people suggest med-surg. I didn't start there, but I do wish to work some overtime there at my hospital so that I can add that experience to my resume. I think you should go where you like. I worked in a clinic before I started nursing school, and when I got my license, they took me back in the same clinic and I am much happier there than I would be on the med-surg floor. I want the med-surg experience so that I can do more home care cases, however, I must admit that I have not been starving as an LPN since I have been working home care as well as a vaccination nurse.

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Most people suggest med-surg. I didn't start there, but I do wish to work some overtime there at my hospital so that I can add that experience to my resume. I think you should go where you like. I worked in a clinic before I started nursing school, and when I got my license, they took me back in the same clinic and I am much happier there than I would be on the med-surg floor. I want the med-surg experience so that I can do more home care cases, however, I must admit that I have not been starving as an LPN since I have been working home care as well as a vaccination nurse.

So you dont ned med-surg expeience to do home care?? What if you antd to be a travel nuse or you want to work registry? I heard that you need 1 year experience for those things. Is this true?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
So you dont ned med-surg expeience to do home care?? What if you antd to be a travel nuse or you want to work registry? I heard that you need 1 year experience for those things. Is this true?
You don't need med-surg experience to do home health. Usually, 6 months of LTC (nursing home) experience will suffice. Some people do not even have the experience...

For agency, registry, or travel nursing, you need the med-surg foundation, because nobody will train you once you accept a travel or agency position. Therefore, your skills must be sharp. The agency is paying big bucks for you to show up at facilities, so they expect you to have a solid foundation of skills and experience.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
So you dont ned med-surg expeience to do home care?? What if you antd to be a travel nuse or you want to work registry? I heard that you need 1 year experience for those things. Is this true?

I am not interested in travel nursing, so, I am not sure, but my agency has been really good to me. They will let me visit the case before I accept it, and I usually had another nurse orient me to the patient's basic needs. I will also consult the RN of the agency to discuss signs and symptoms that this patient may display to be sent to the emergency room, as well as give me the plan of care and medications. I only do home care one day a week, since I have a full time job in a hospital clinic. I have not worked in long term care, either, so, I guess I was sort of lucky there...been gaining skills at my own pace one patient at a time.

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