No Experience vs. LPN Experience

Nurses Job Hunt

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I am a recent ADN RN grad and a former LPN for almost 10 years. With the economy the way it is, I am having a difficult time finding "my dream job" which is in a hospital on a med/surg floor. As I apply over and over (going on a year now) to hospitals for anything that I think I can be hired for, it's so disheartening to find that others that graduated with me are already in hospitals. I even opened up my chances by getting a license in another state. I have applied to positions over an hour away. Being a LPN for almost 10 years, when I graduated with my RN degree and felt that I had no problem and the others in my class would be the ones that would be in my position (only d/t the fact they had no experience and the economy the way it is). Almost all had no experience in healthcare at all and their backgrounds varied from waitress to no working experience. So, as it turns out I ended up being lucky to have found a job in LTC (which I took b/c my loans were coming due) and is where I was as a LPN before graduating. I have had connections try to help me get into a hospital with no avail. So, I am wondering if it is due to having a LPN background? Also, I can't help but wonder how someone who has zero background in nursing can be hired for a position in the hospital over someone who has almost a decade in nursing. There are things experience teaches us that cannot and is not learned in a book/classroom/clinicals. Is it safer to hire a new grad without any background in healthcare vs. someone with a background albeit as a LPN? I understand the concept that facilities like to train new grads to their way of doing things, but when comparing the options it doesn't add up to me? At this point in my Job Search, I can't help but wonder if the years I spent as a LPN is killing my chances at any position in a hospital and worse yet, since I was only able to be hired by a LTC facility an a RN am I completely out of play for my dream job? A friend of mine just tried to help me land a position on a floor she used to work on, but she warned me that the manager doesn't like LTC nurses. After what I thought was a decent interview, sending Thank you notes to HR and the hiring manager, I unfortunately wasn't offered the position. Is there anyone that has an opinion on LPNs becoming RNs and landing a hospital job or any comments/advice at all? Also, I have noticed that job openings aren't just asking for applicants to have 1-2+ years experience anymore they are specifically requiring 1-2+ years experience in acute care, etc. So, what does it take?

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Hang in there and keep applying. I don't think your LPN background would do anything but help. Are the hospitals preferential to BSNs?

Honestly, most jobs come from networking.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

It took me a while to land a job as a RN as well. I was able to land one in CC...and it has been a tremendous GROWING pain!!! But I am determined to succeed.

You will be able to get to the M/S floor, I believe it. Now that you are in LTC, is it possible to moonlight at a LTACH to get that extra M/S experience perhaps? Also try other avenues like infusion nursing, etc to gain other experiences to give you the edge!

Don't give up!! They still hire US...and they believe in US!!! :)

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Just touching on your point about experience vs. degree...

I work as a PCT in a hospital right now and our administrator actually told all of our associate degree nurses and LPN's that our patients would be safer if she canned everyone and hired an all BSN staff. Big slap in the face to everyone. We have two amazing nurses, one LPN and the other ADN RN, who have worked there for 20+ years ask her if she was saying a new grad BSN nurse would be safer then them, even with all of their experience, and she told them that is what statistics say.

Nursing is SO political and I fully believe that some managers and administrators couldn't give less of a **** how much experience you have as long as you have a million initials behind your name. Sad, huh?

I'd say keep your head up and keep applying!

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Just touching on your point about experience vs. degree...

I work as a PCT in a hospital right now and our administrator actually told all of our associate degree nurses and LPN's that our patients would be safer if she canned everyone and hired an all BSN staff. Big slap in the face to everyone. We have two amazing nurses, one LPN and the other ADN RN, who have worked there for 20+ years ask her if she was saying a new grad BSN nurse would be safer then them, even with all of their experience, and she told them that is what statistics say.

Nursing is SO political and I fully believe that some managers and administrators couldn't give less of a **** how much experience you have as long as you have a million initials behind your name. Sad, huh?

I'd say keep your head up and keep applying!

Sounds like both patients and staff would be better off if the hospital canned her instead.

FYI amazing profile photo there!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

No - I absolutely think that your LPN experience is a huge asset.

Be sure that your resume is completely "RN focused" - don't include any information that could confuse a reader or cause them to mentally categorize you as LPN instead of RN. Don't highlight the fact that you have/had an LPN license... just mention it as part of your job history & under 'education' ("completed LPN program ...."

In your job history, make sure you highlight your time management skills... "successfully managed average workload of ____ patients & supervised ____ CNAs" & experiences dealing with physicians and other health care providers. Be sure to include any extra things you did such as task forces, quality committees, presentations, etc.

Best of luck to you - I am sure something will turn up soon.

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wanderlustgirl-This is worrisome to say the least. I would much rather have a nurse caring for me that knows from experience how a DVT or transfusion reaction presents than someone who read about it in a textbook. Granted we all need to start somewhere and I was there as a new LPN. But grabbing up new grads just because you work well with a friend/family member of theirs scares me. I started out as a new grad LPN in a busy family practice. The doctors pulled us aside to show us interesting cases when they arose. I loved working there because you never knew what was going to walk through the door. How can any textbook and extra credentials compare?

Thank you to everyone who posted and for the great insight!

LadyFree28-I am applying to other institutions as well to be more rounded. Congratulations on your new position! I wish you the best and you will be glad you had the opportunity on that very difficult unit.

Thank you HouTx for the advice on the resume! I definitely will tweaking mine before sending off anymore. I may have been emphasizing the wrong areas.

BostonFNP-I know that the positions are mostly filled this way. However, unfortunately it not enough to know someone anymore. It is about who you know and what pull they have. I have had a few people try to help me get into their facility to no avail.

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Apply to the VA. I just got hired on a med/surg unit and they give credit for your LPN experience.

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