new LVN losing all hope in herself

allnurses Guide · Jan 25, 2011

It isn't easy, but it's not impossible, either. There is a thread here about a new grad LVN who had been doing private duty nursing and was hired by a surgical center and she loves it.

One area that is hiring LVNs is for private duty care in the home for chronically ill patients, children and adult. It is not going to be fast paced or will you get a chance to do new things all the time, but if you simply need a job you could call around and see what is available.

Some will balk at a new grad but I work with one and it has worked out, she is very proactive about learning. You will have an RN supervisor who is supposed to be available at all times should you have a question or concern.

The other area that hires LVNs is Long Term Care, but it is difficult for new people sometimes to cope with the task of passing meds on 30+ people.

I wish I had better advice for you but I know it's rough out there! You have to give yourself a pep talk every day, keep making calls, go on every interview you can get, even if you are sure the job is not for you . . .I got one job from an interview I only went to get experience in being interviewed. You never know!!

There are lots of threads here on job-hunting strategies -they apply to LVNs and RNs alike, so you may get some ideas that way. Best wishes to you!

gpattimura · Jan 25, 2011

Thank you for the words of wisdom. I really appreciate it! :) I'm going to keep trying and hopefully something will come my way. Patience is probably the first most important thing you learn in nursing school and this is the ultimate test. lol.

shookee · Jan 26, 2011

Hang in there. I'm in the same boat. I'm also planning to volunteer at a local hospital while continuing my search. Its been almost a year since I got my license. Also open up the possibility of moving out of state.

ibmanda2000, LVN · Jan 27, 2011

I am from San Diego and graduated as an LVN in April 2009. I recieved a job through a home health agency right away making $20/hr HOWEVER I later learned what a horrible, noncompliant agency this was... they never should have hired a new nurse for home health and turns out they were not even licensed to have LVNs working there! I had quite a bit of pediatric experience prior and ended up moving to Texas working pedi home health making great money. Many of my friends in SD obtained a job with Scripps and some with Kaiser as new grads working in the clinics. I think that will be your best bet. They typically look for new grads and LVNs.

Good luck!

ibmanda2000, LVN · Jan 27, 2011

Also look into being a Hospice volunteer. The training is about 36 hours, but you will make yourself much more marketable having Hospice experience and training. I really enjoyed my one Hospice patient I had as a volunteer! We had fun, I learned quite a bit and made a huge difference in the transition of life to death for this patient and her family.

sciarkowskiLVN, LVN · Jan 27, 2011

you may consider moving? i went from MI (all LTC to TX) really where ever you can find a job. i have had 2 interviews in a week (after several months) and feel very lucky. hopefully i get another one =o

shookee · Jan 27, 2011

I am from San Diego and graduated as an LVN in April 2009. I recieved a job through a home health agency right away making $20/hr HOWEVER I later learned what a horrible, noncompliant agency this was... they never should have hired a new nurse for home health and turns out they were not even licensed to have LVNs working there! I had quite a bit of pediatric experience prior and ended up moving to Texas working pedi home health making great money. Many of my friends in SD obtained a job with Scripps and some with Kaiser as new grads working in the clinics. I think that will be your best bet. They typically look for new grads and LVNs. If you are comfortable giving injections then you can also check with Mollen Immunizations.
Good luck!

Hi Ibanda2000, can you tell me which agency this is in San Diego? I would like to put that on my do not apply list.

gpattimura · Jan 27, 2011

Thank you guys for the support and tips. If I don't get anything soon, I'm probably going to look into home health. I'm just a bit hesitant bc I know a lot of them are really sketchy.

Still hoping for a good outcome!

castanem8 · Mar 2, 2011

Man!!!! I just got my license in December but have been working for a home health agency since August and was being promised higher pay as a lvn once i got my license. Turns out the agency is not licensed to have lvn's work in home health and were stringing me along the WHOLE time! I dont know what to do. I cant find a job and was just so fed up when i found that out that I resigned. Prob not the best move, but I feel much better NOT working for such a fowl company! I cant believe it I thought I was the only one this type of stuff happens to. Now I know that I am not. Sorry to vent but I had to..........

mizzlakota · Jul 27, 2015

Hey did you ever find a job as an LVN? I know I'm late,I recently got an account on this site and I Came across your post. I plan to get my lvn soon. How is it for you today?