New LPN and no jobs available.

Brownms46 · May 11, 2004

Brownsms46,
I called them and Davita told me they require 1 year experience in med-surg/ICU. Thanks anyway.
ladybay

Sorry to hear that ladybay. And they need to change their ad then...because it says "preferred". I hope you are able to find somewhere that will give you an opportunity soon. And you're welcome:).

ladybay · May 11, 2004

Ah theres a nursing shortage---------- Move !!!

Well, obviously the "nursing shortage" doesn't need the help of LPN's. If you would have paid attention and had read my original post in its entirety, I said moving is not possible at this time. Your sarcastic and insensitive remarks are of no help, are not needed, and best to be kept to yourself.

ladybay

smk1, LPN · May 11, 2004

ladybay maybe try looking in the phone book and calling all of the SNFs even if they don't have ads in the paper, also send a resume to all of the human resource departments of all the places that you would like to work and see what happens. Can't hurt!

ladybay · May 11, 2004

ladybay maybe try looking in the phone book and calling all of the SNFs even if they don't have ads in the paper, also send a resume to all of the human resource departments of all the places that you would like to work and see what happens. Can't hurt!

Will do, thanks.

ladybay

Truly_Blessed · May 11, 2004

Ah theres a nursing shortage---------- Move !!!

Hmmm...moving isn't an option for everybody. duh.

SharkLPN · May 11, 2004

Geez, I've never heard of an acute care facilty not wanting an LPN on staff. If nothing else, we lift some of the pt care burden off the RNs, and cost the facilities less.

Have you looked into any long-term acute care hospitals? There are only two I know of in my area, SemperCare and Select Medical. I'm not sure if they have any facilities in OK, but it's worth a shot. These companies usually rent out space from exisiting hospitals and basically run a hospital for pts who would be admitted longer than medicare/medicaid or insurance will cover.

Good luck to you! I'd be at wits end after earning my license and have this happen! :sniff:

thatldo · May 11, 2004

I know of 3 recent LPN grads with no exp who are working at St Francis & at Southcrest Hosp in med-surge in Tulsa.

RN-PA, RN · May 11, 2004

Geez, I've never heard of an acute care facilty not wanting an LPN on staff. If nothing else, we lift some of the pt care burden off the RNs, and cost the facilities less.

My hospital has stopped hiring LPN's, but there are a good number of LPN's working on our med-surg floor who are great co-workers and nurses, and some have been there for years. When they ever leave/retire, they will be replaced with RN's.The problem has been that the hospital administration limits what LPN's can do. So, in addition to the RN's assignment, we have to frequently do things the LPN isn't permitted to do. As mentioned in another thread, they can't do admissions, can't have a patient with continuous epidural or PCA, can't call doctors for orders, can't initiate Heparin drips, hang TPN or blood, or give IV push meds.

My hospital is in the process of trying to get a program in place whereby the LPN's can become RN's by taking classes at the hospital. Not sure how they're planning to do this, though, and whether the hospital will be paying for part of the training or what. :confused:

JHUBRAIN · May 11, 2004

Our Hospital in OKC also stopped hiring LPNs due to fact that the LPNs can not perfrom Phyiscal Assessments on their own (must have an RN check over their assessments) It turned out to be double work for the RNs (not to mention upsetting many LPNs). We just found out about the LPNs and assessment after taking a hit about it from the board. :angryfire It seems in a hospital setting that the LPNs can only contribute to the assesment and it must be checked off by the RN (also LPNs can not do the Inital Assessment at all). These finding are in the LPN state guidlines and we missed it as our Lpns were doing the assessments on the floor, as I said we took a hit on that and so are other hospital in Oklahoma. I hope you are able to find your spot.

God Bless all the nurses and patients - JHUBRAIN

I live in Tulsa and just received my license 2 weeks ago. The hospitals around here are not hiring LPNs but they were when I started school. I'm a nurse tech at my hospital and human resources wants to move towards an all RN staff, thanks to Wellsprings coming in and revamping hospital policies. :angryfire I even make more money (with shift diff) than a new grad LPN at my hospital. I want to leave my job sooo bad. The only hospital that did have a position was for a prn wound care nurse. I find it sad to resort to changing dressings after all I've learned in school. Where is a newbie to get some hospital experience? I even contacted various places like home health, hospices, dialysis and agency, nothing. Agencies require 6-12 months med-surg experience. I'd hate to lose those hard earned nursing skills by going to a nursing home. Before I can even think of RN school, I need to start working as a nurse, get some skills and make decent money first. I want to utilize some critical nursing skills like med-surg but if no one gives me a chance, what can I do? I can't move out of state with a house and husband (who has a couple of surgeries pending). its frustrating.
ladybay

rjflyn, ASN, RN · May 11, 2004

I would like to appologize to Ladybay, I missed the part in your original post about not being able to move, sorry. Keep your chin up something will come along, be sure you try Dr offices and clinics most around here thats all they employ with the exception typically of one RN who runs the office.

Rj

FROGGYLEGS, LPN · May 11, 2004

I said that particular wound care nurse position was prn. Plus I said I need to earn a living. I want to utilize my skills like assessments, injections, meds, nursing dx, IV monitors, tube feedings, blood draws and IV's, utilizing a stethoscope, becoming familiar with various medical situations, you know nurse stuff. Med-surg, ER or ICU would be ideal for me. If wound care is more than changing dressings, then educate me. I'm going from what the HR lady said after I asked her what kind of job it was. Even so, wound care is not for me!!
ladybay

Okay. It was only a suggestion. If the people in human resources aren't nurses, I wouldn't quite trust their expert opinion on what exactly a particular job entailed. It didn't occur to me that you didn't want the wound job because it was PRN. I still say wound care is more than just changing dressings. Research it a bit and I think you'll see that, but if it isn't what you want then it isn't what you want.

Good luck in finding your ideal position. :balloons:

ladybay · May 11, 2004

rjflyn, apology accepted.

thatido,

I have heard about new LPN's getting hired/transfered into that position because the hospital sponsored and paid for their education. Since they already work at that facility, they get first picks at jobs versus me, an outsider. I don't know what's the deal with SouthCrest. There was a big healthfair about a week ago with 12 or so companies recruiting. I inquired at 90% of the companies including all the area hospitals. The SouthCrest recruiters said no openings for LPN's as well as several other hospitals. Go figure. :uhoh21:

Most of the posters on this thread have given good, positive ideas. I appreciate it and will follow through. After procrastinating on nursing school for 21 years, I got the guts to follow my dreams. I have such a calling and compassion in this area of medicine and if I were only given a chance, I know I can give the best care within my scope of practice. One thing I've come to learn even though I haven't begun my nursing career as of yet is, it doesn't pay to bash, insult or think of oneself superior over their co-workers or peers. Perhaps that same individual who you've just thumbed your nose at could at some point in time take care of YOUR friend or loved ones or YOU. I'm talking from experience. I was the tech, she was the RN with a superiority complex. She was hospitalized very recently in great pain and guess who helped to care for her with no malice or indignation? You got it. In speaking for myself I knew MY conscious is clear. Thanks guys and stay prayerful.

ladybay