new LPN w/? about finding a job

suebird3 · Mar 31, 2006

hi all,
i will be taking my LPN boards in a couple of weeks. i was wondering if any of you found it difficult to find a job right out of school? is there something in particular i should look for (hospital vs. clinic) or should i just apply everywhere? i was thinking about getting on per diem at the local community hospital, since i am not really looking for full time employment at this point. also, does anyone have any interview tips for me?
thanks everyone...i really enjoy this site!
monica

Hi, Monica! have you checked the First Year Nursing Forum at: https://allnurses.com/forums/f224/ ?

I had no problem getting a job right out of LPN school, but then again, I worked LTC. The local Hospitals where I am don't really utilize LPN's. If you can get into a Hospital....congratulations!!!

I don't blame you for not wanting to work full time; concentrate on Boards first! Oh, and be sure to drop by the NCLEX Forum at: https://allnurses.com/forums/f197/ !

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Suebird

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2006

I had no problems finding employment soon after passing my state boards.

I have discovered that the LPNs/LVNs who have difficulty finding employment are the ones who are the most picky. There are many recent LPN/LVN grads who absolutely refuse jobs in home health or LTC because they demand positions in the ER, ICU, or labor & delivery. These same picky people often have problems finding employment because they don't seem to realize that their favorite specialties simply don't use LPNs anymore. If you're willing to work in nursing homes, home health, psych, outpatient clinics, or rehab, then you should easily find work.

debsuztx · Mar 31, 2006

I graduated two years ago as an LVN (Texas) and did have difficulty finding a job, but I did want to work in a hospital to get some good experience. My advice is to be persistant and don't give up. This is how I got the job: My mom went to visit a patient at a hospital and had trouble finding the pts. room. The nurse manager on the floor asked he she needed any help. They got to talking and my mom told her she had a daughter who was graduating from nursing school that year. She told my mom to have me call/contact her when I graduated and gave her a business card. I NEVER thought I would use the card, but after about 5 hospitals with no luck I decided to give it a shot. I just showed up one day with my resume in hand and basically asked for the job. I had an interview two days and was hired. I honestly believe I got the job from being assertive and having the guts just to show up at her office. Not my typical behavior, but it got me the job.

Didn't ask where your interests lie? Good luck to you!

brown eyed girl · Mar 31, 2006

I have to disagree with Commuter. I am not picky and I have always worked in ltc as a nurse assistant. I have had the hardest time finding a job. The opportunities are plentiful working as a lpn, the problem that I have found with my search is that in my area, no one wants to hire a new grad. Everyday and every Sunday I look in the classifieds and on the internet for employment. I have applied via fax (with resume and cover letter) as instructed at least 10 different places and twice at the same facility 4 months apart from my original application with only 3 call backs and 2 interviews; and with the interviews, I had called back after 1 week to see how my reference check was going, only to be told that the position has been filled. I have met two other new grads that I didnt go to school with that have had the same problem. So, its not always about being picky, its about the willingness of the facility wanting to hire and train a new grad versus hiring and orienting an experienced nurse to the routine of the facility and their units.

danfif · Apr 1, 2006

Hey All,

First of all, I do have to agree with Commuter to some degree that we tend to be rather picky in what jobs we WANT, and what jobs we would take. Some experience is better than no experience.

With that being said, let me throw in this thought. Today, all things are done electronically, either via email or fax. Gone are the days where you put on your suit, or best dress, and head out the door with Cover Letter and Resume in hand, knocking on doors, asking to talk to whom ever makes the hiring calls, the Nurse recurter or whom ever it is.

All you are today is a random piece of paper or type on a screen of an other wise stressed out HR person, or Nurse managers desk, who has a billion different things going on in their minds at any given second, of any given day.

Yes you are now a Nurse, but that does not automatically give you a job. What we have to be first and fore most are SALES PROFESSIONALS, and our product is OURSELF! If you don't make yourself the best product on the market at the momment that the customer is buying, your going to be left on the shelf, if you get my drift!

If you are still in clinicals, and you are interested in working at that facility, find out who the nurse manager is, introduce yourself, shake their hand, and thank them for allowing you to be there to learn. Ask them if they hire LPN's, and if so, what are the hiring requirements? Do I need to be IV certified? If your not, get it! You have to make yourself the best product on the market, or at least make it look like you are.

How many of you sent "Thank You" notes out the minute you got home to the person you interviewed with? How many of you made follow up calls the next day to ask the person if there were any other questions that you could answer for them? How many of you just flat out ASKED for the job point blank?

Just because we have a title after our names now does not entitle us to a job! We have to MARKET OURSELVES, BE CREATIVE, NETWORK, THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX! Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. Tell them, I want this job! Then ask them, what is it that I need to do to get it.

I could go on and on with this, but I hope that what I have said does help in some way.

Take Care,

Dan

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2006

Hey All,
First of all, I do have to agree with Commuter to some degree that we tend to be rather picky in what jobs we WANT, and what jobs we would take. Some experience is better than no experience.
With that being said, let me throw in this thought. Today, all things are done electronically, either via email or fax. Gone are the days where you put on your suit, or best dress, and head out the door with Cover Letter and Resume in hand, knocking on doors, asking to talk to whom ever makes the hiring calls, the Nurse recurter or whom ever it is.
All you are today is a random piece of paper or type on a screen of an other wise stressed out HR person, or Nurse managers desk, who has a billion different things going on in their minds at any given second, of any given day.
Yes you are now a Nurse, but that does not automatically give you a job. What we have to be first and fore most are SALES PROFESSIONALS, and our product is OURSELF! If you don't make yourself the best product on the market at the momment that the customer is buying, your going to be left on the shelf, if you get my drift!
If you are still in clinicals, and you are interested in working at that facility, find out who the nurse manager is, introduce yourself, shake their hand, and thank them for allowing you to be there to learn. Ask them if they hire LPN's, and if so, what are the hiring requirements? Do I need to be IV certified? If your not, get it! You have to make yourself the best product on the market, or at least make it look like you are.
How many of you sent "Thank You" notes out the minute you got home to the person you interviewed with? How many of you made follow up calls the next day to ask the person if there were any other questions that you could answer for them? How many of you just flat out ASKED for the job point blank?
Just because we have a title after our names now does not entitle us to a job! We have to MARKET OURSELVES, BE CREATIVE, NETWORK, THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX! Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. Tell them, I want this job! Then ask them, what is it that I need to do to get it.
I could go on and on with this, but I hope that what I have said does help in some way.
Take Care,
Dan

This post was exceptionally good.

suebird3 · Apr 1, 2006

thanks, dan. good point. too many people forget "the old days", and need the reminder.

sueb

freespiritlives · Apr 1, 2006

thanks everyone! i will keep you posted.

monica

MimismomRN · Apr 8, 2006

I didn't have any problem. I got a job in Med Surg at my local hospital which was only my second interview. First was hospice (they wanted one year experience) My hospital doesn't pay well ($14.99/hr.) for new grads but I want the experience and can continue to go to college for my RN which is five minutes from the hospital so it works for me. I literally had a job offer the a week after finding out I passed NCLEX. I think alot of it has to do with attitude. Believe in yourself, and show it. And yes, what Dan said, send a thank you right after your interview. I did and I think it cements in their minds that you are professional and competent. Good luck to all. :nurse: