New Grad RN - Need Advice :)

ceebum · Mar 7, 2010

If you're working as a RN with LVN rate then that is straight up WRONG! Now if you're working as a LVN and you took your boards as a LVN then ok that makes sense. Any other situation I would raise eyebrows. Good luck to all!

you are entitled to your own opinion and i respect you for that. but let me show you the real picture.

Im an RN but my workload is lighter than an LVN. so for me its quite fair. Id rather work as an LVN than staying at home waiting for hospitals to hire me which is far from reality for now. I cant stand being unproductive.

Most of the hospitals here in bay area are on freeze hiring. they offer new grad program only to those local graduates. they dont entertain foreign nurses even if you have more than 5 yrs ICU experience. its sad to know but its true. Foreign nurses are left with no choice. we are just lucky enough to have job. so there's no reason to complain.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2010

you are entitled to your own opinion and i respect you for that. but let me show you the real picture.
Im an RN but my workload is lighter than an LVN. so for me its quite fair. Id rather work as an LVN than staying at home waiting for hospitals to hire me which is far from reality for now. I cant stand being unproductive.
Most of the hospitals here in bay area are on freeze hiring. they offer new grad program only to those local graduates. they dont entertain foreign nurses even if you have more than 5 yrs ICU experience. its sad to know but its true. Foreign nurses are left with no choice. we are just lucky enough to have job. so there's no reason to complain.

If you're a RN with 5 years paid experience as a ICU nurse why would you want to get into a new grad program? If time has lapsed since your paid experience then I can understand why the hospitals wont hire you. But other than that you can apply as a RN II with that experience so you don't need a new grad program.

Do you have your RN license here in the US or just from your home country? Do you have your LVN license here in the US? I'm still unclear on that, now if you have your RN license here in the US and they're paying you a LVN salary, and everyone else around that's a RN is on a RN salary then that's wrong. If you have your RN license and they're utilizing you as a RN then you should be fairly compensated for your hard work.

As you said that you're happy to just have a job and there's no reason to complain, and I agree but I also believe that you should be treated with respect and dignity. Good Luck

ceebum · Mar 7, 2010

I passed NCLEX - RN exam in 2008. i have 5 yrs Philippine ICU experience but the problem is they dont credit my foreign experience here most especially here in sfo east bay area where conpetition with other nurses are so tough. so im good as without experience. All the hospitals ive contacted requires at least 1 year acute US experience. with regards to the new grad program im sure i wont qualify neither.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2010

If your experience is paid experience then that should be counted. I'm shocked that it's not counted if it's paid. If it's volunteer experience then yes, I can understand why it's not considered experience. You're right about the competition in the SF-SJ Bay Area. Since you have your RN license here in the US did you try the nursing homes if you're not there already. How about general med surg until you can get your foot in the door right back to ICU if that's the area that you want to focus in. Good Luck!

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Mar 10, 2010

nurse cubanita, in this country foreign graduates regardless of how much experience they have are viewed as new graduates because they haven't worked in the United States, sad but true. One way the hospitals cut corners.

No reason to verbally attack her. And I have many students from my LVN to RN program in the bay area who were unable to find work as an RN, and have had to take on LVN jobs despite their RN license. The bay area is horrible to find work in.

Honestly, I would recommend moving to anyone in the bay area.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2010

I understand what you're saying, but they wont be considered for a new grad program regardless if they're looked upon as new grads regardless of experience.

I'm not attacking the OP, I'm just stating that I think it's wrong for someone who is working as a RN and who is licensed as a RN and is working for LVN pay. Especially if there are others in the company who are RNs and are getting RN pay. How fair is that?

I know plenty of LVNs & CNAs who have are still working in those positions despite a RN license. But their job title is just that LVN & CNA. It's different if someone is working as a RN and licensed as a RN but getting LVN pay. If the OP also has their LVN license and is working as a LVN with LVN pay then there's a difference.

You're right, I wouldn't recommend the Bay Area either.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Mar 10, 2010

Actually an RN can work under an LVN job title depending on the situation, it is no different than one who is licensed both as an LVN and RN. They still have met all the clinical requirements of an LVN, and therefore can work as one. Tho I agree if they are using her under an RN job title for LVN pay, that stinks, but a job is better than no job at all.

Foreign grads USED to be considered for new grad programs, but now are not when they have abundant supplies of US grads to reject as well.

Companies are taking advantage of new nurses in this economy, because they can.

ceebum · Mar 11, 2010

you are right nikilaughs. my batchmates who got here in US in 2006 were considered as new gradz and they didnt even had a problem applying for the hospital positions. Im unfortunate to get here 2 yrs later and got stuck with this recession. bay area is not a place for me. but what can i do. my family is here. so for now im happy to have a job than nothing at all.

This recession shall pass and im looking forward to that day.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2010

To me that's just an excuse not to hire you by considering you a new grad. I just really have a problem with people taken advantage of, and I know that you're happy but that's just me.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Mar 12, 2010

Nobody likes to be taken advantage of, but there's tons of people willing to be taken advantage of in that area. Unless they move, it will continue. For every nurse not willing to sacrifice wages, there are several that are.

ceebum · Mar 13, 2010

nobody wants to be taken advantage. but in times like this all you need is a job to keep you going. Actually the RN rate in other states are LVN rates here in bay area. so there's no significant difference with the rate. when you transfer to another state you have to consider your finances such as your rental, your bills and other miscellaneous. but if you stay with your family you could save alot. you need to weigh things over.