Nobody wants a GVN?!

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Hi all. I hope someone who has experienced my problem can help me. I will be graduating from an LVN program in Texas in May. I have called virtually every hospital, home health, hospice, skilled nursing, and long term care/rehabilitation facility in Dallas to inquire about employment as a GVN. All but roughly 5 of those facilities told me they don't want a GVN and that they want a license before they'll even consider me. I want to get a head start in applying for jobs by applying this month (during the week of spring break) but I don't know if I should apply now and indicate that I won't take boards until late May/early June or if I should wait until I graduate and then apply while I wait to take boards. Will my application and resume get trashed if I apply now or would I be doing the smart thing in applying early?

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Knowing a few nurses I would say it's definitely NOT a good idea to apply before even passing the NCLEX. Put yourself in their position: why would you want to hire an anxious student who has yet to finish their program OR pass the NCLEX. It isn't logical or in their best interest, and might give off the wrong impression. It might come off a bit naive and over ambitious. Worry about passing your boards first and then apply. Hopefully you've been able to work as a nurse tech or cna while in school as well as most prefer someone with experience.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I also live in the DFW area. I didn't even bother with trying to obtain employment as a GVN. Instead, I waited until I had my LVN license. If you have your LVN license in your possession, it will be one less reason that employers have to potentially turn you away. Simply put, you look like a much more attractive applicant if you are already licensed.

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Many job applications have the statement printed on them that the application is only retained for 30, 60, or maybe 90 days. Some employers will hire a person in a temp position pending their license. Many have posted that they have found themselves in an embarassing and untenable spot when they failed the NCLEX. Best to wait until you have a valid license to work with.

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Thank you all for your advice. Obtaining the license first sounds like a good idea.

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