New LPN - we only hire with experience!!!!

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Hello,

After going through all the stress of nursing school and the NCLEX PN, here I am now looking for a job and nobody wants me :-) We only hire experienced nurses - ok, I would love to be experienced, but how, if nobody wants to give me a chance? I graduated with a 96% A average, I was the best clinical nursing student, and here I am, asking myself why I didn't buy a new car instead of spending money on my LPN program. I actually wanted to go back to school this summer for the RN bridge program, but now I don't have the money - because I don't have a job.

I really wanted to work for a hospital to improve my nursing skills, but all I have seen so far is people telling me - oh no honey, we only hire RNs. I have tried agencies, they don't want you at all obviously - if you don't have at least one year of nursing experience under your belt. One 'lady' even hung up on me on the phone, when I asked her politely if I could put in my application anyway - how nice is that?

So here is my question, what is the best way to find a job as a new LPN? I have tried the newspapers, the internet, and so on. What other resources can I use? It seems like the number of LPN jobs is very limited, at least I don't find too many ads for LPNs. I live in the D.C. Metro area, anybody who has had similar experiences and who can give me some advice? What am I doing wrong?

Thank you in advance

Dana

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Have you tried doctor's offices, clinics, etc? There are a lot of places LPNs are used outside the hospital. Try casting a wider net and look beyond hospital/acute care. You can always, too, try LTC for a while. Lord knows, good and dedicated nurses are needed in LTC/Assisted living facilities, as well as doctors' offices and clinics. At least, start someplace like that, and get your "experience". Hang in there, don't get discouraged and do NOT give up! I wish you luck.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I know what you mean. I have a good friend who is finding the same problems.

Good luck. Nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities these days require a lot of skill. Look for a good place like that.

Anyway, just want to say hang in there and good luck.

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Yes check out your local nursing homes. In my local newspaper the nursing home ads always say "New graduates welcome." Wishing you the best of luck :)

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Specializes in OB.

Hi! Welcome to allnurses! You're not doing anything wrong... you're doing everything right. Sometimes it takes time to find a job. SmilingBluEyes, Tweety and Blackcat99 all have the right idea for you. Nursing homes, LTC/Assisted living facilities, doctors' offices and clinics are the best places to start. These places are usually open to hiring new grads and it's a way to get your foot in the door and gain some experience. Also try teaching hospitals... new grads are always welcome and you learn much more. Good luck.

BTW, I saw in your profile that your birthday just past two weeks ago... happy belated birthday to you!

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Hey there girl! Congratulations on graduating! I'm a new LPN myself and was wondering if I would ever get a job too. I don't have any nursing experience besides clinicals but I do have experience working with special needs, which I list on my cover letter and resume. What is in the first paragragh of your cover letter? I have found that beginning my cover letter with the words "In the last year I have gained nursing experience through various clinical rotations and preceptorships" is good, because right away the person skimming cover letter sees the words "year" and "experience" together. It is just a small word association, but those can go a long way. Make sure you are using strong words and strong sentences and really pointing out your good points in your cover letter. I had been hearing "year of experience" for the last two months, but I finally managed to get an interview at a local hospital who are just beginning to hire some LPN's. It turned out that the "required" year wasn't as important as the nursing manager getting to know me and finding out about other experiences I have besides nursing. I talked up my experience working with special needs people, and she really responded to that. I also made sure to say during the interview that I really wanted to work at that particular hospital and how much I appreciated being considered. I ended up getting the job and I never though I'd get a hosptal job as a new grad.

You have to be persistant. Dont call places asking if they are hiring. Just show up with your resume and cover letter and ask if there is anyone you can speak to. Sometimes you can fax them to hospitals, but if you do that make sure you follow up a day later with a phone call. Good luck!! I know it's hard. I 've been finished with classes for 2 months and I just now found my job. I just really didn't want LTC. Keep us posted.

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I had the same experience earlier this year as a new grad. I reluctantly took a job in LTC and it wound up being the right decision for me. Don't let anyone say that you won't learn new skills in LTC...you will. I have learned so much about CHF, diabetes, & various respiratory disorders. Several times in the last two weeks, I've sent residents out in acute respiratory distress. I have learned what to look for in assessment and what to do until the ambulance arrives. I have learned alot about pressure ulcers, and DVT's. I work nights, and my job entails so much more than just med pass. I'm also learning about Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia because we have some residents that suffer from those disorders. Not to mention the alzheimer's residents. There is a wealth of stuff to be learned in LTC. You may not be able to work DAILY with acute situations, but they do arise, quite frequently, and believe me, you will learn from each experience. If acute care is that important to you, you could look into a LTC facility that has a step down/rehab unit. If you are needing money to further your education, I'd choose LTC.....around here LTC pays LPN's about 2-3 more $$ an hour than the hospitals do. Another plus to LTC, You will fall in love with some of your residents. I highly doubt you'll ever love a patient in acute care. Oh, and another thing.....not to be morbid, but in LTC, there are quite a few residents who are DNR, so they'll die there. You will get to witness what happens as the body starts to shut down.

Can you tell I love my job? Quite amazing from someone who swore they'd never work LTC. In fact, I love my job so much, that I have put plans to return to school on hold. I am so satisfied that the idea of returning to school just doesn't appeal to me anymore.

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Specializes in LTC and MED-SURG.

I am currently in LPN school and will graduate March 2006. This particular thread was very helpful. I have been working as a CNA in LTC for 2 months to gain experience and get my foot in the door. If I stay at this particular LTC, I will probably be able to work as LPN here also. I don't particularly want to work in LTC, so I am hoping that I can work in a hospital.

To current LPN's: Does CNA experience help in landing LPN jobs?

THanks,

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Specializes in Inpatient Acute Rehab.

When they say that to you, tell them you do have experience... your clinical experience. That should be counted on your resume. A tip would be to redo your resume and put you clinical learning under the experience tab.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
I am currently in LPN school and will graduate March 2006. This particular thread was very helpful. I have been working as a CNA in LTC for 2 months to gain experience and get my foot in the door. If I stay at this particular LTC, I will probably be able to work as LPN here also. I don't particularly want to work in LTC, so I am hoping that I can work in a hospital.

To current LPN's: Does CNA experience help in landing LPN jobs?

THanks,

I believe it did for me. I had 18 years expereince as a CNA and was told directley from the person hiring that they wanted somoene with that type of experience, not saying at all that you need THAT many years experience LOL!! But I do believe any amount of CNA experience is helpful!! Good Luck to you!!

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To the origional poster...

Please keep us posted on any progress job wise...

We are all here for you and wish you the very BEST!! Don't get discouraged!!...theres an LPN position...with YOUR name on it...right around the corner...just wait and see!!

(((((((((((( HUGS )))))))))))

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Specializes in LTC and MED-SURG.
To the origional poster...

Please keep us posted on any progress job wise...

We are all here for you and wish you the very BEST!! Don't get discouraged!!...theres an LPN position...with YOUR name on it...right around the corner...just wait and see!!

(((((((((((( HUGS )))))))))))

I would hope the original poster got a job by now, since it was posted in April of 2005

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