Old LPN Needs Your Help (Long!)

[Medusa26]

I have been a registered user for almost 2 years but, until now, have never felt the need to post. I have lurked in the shadows, finding most of the answers to my questions in posts from the past.

Now I need your help. This is a lengthy missive and I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read it, even if they don't reply.

I have been an LPN since 1972. By 1994, I had amassed 22 years of active nursing experience in hospital settings (5 years), as an industrial nurse (3 years) and in physicians' offices (12 years). Except for taking two years off to care for my infant daughter I have worked steadily, always full time.

In 1994, I was ready for a change so I began training in Information Technology (IT). During the 3 years it took me to learn and achieve industry certifications, I worked as a secretary for two different corporations in hopes they would promote me to an in-house IT position. Although that didn't materialize, I was recruited by a small manufacturing company as an IT specialist. A year later I was downsized along with 25% of their workforce. I was devastated but I started my own small computer consulting business for individuals and small businesses. Although I wasn't highly successful in a monetary fashion, I had a handful of dedicated, loyal clients plus I was contracted to provide IT and office management services to a regional women's resource center.

My only daughter, who was then 24, had just ended a miserable, abusive marriage and moved clear across the country to the Pacific Northwest. Since my husband was ready for a change in his employment situation and I was more than ready to move to be closer to her, we made plans to relocate as soon as we could afford to. I did the only thing I felt I could at the time: accepted a position in a LTC nursing facility, working as a charge nurse on night shift. I wanted to make as much money as I could in a short time.

When I arrived in Washington I needed to find a position quickly so I took an afternoon position at a local LTC facility. After a year I was burned out and frustrated with the institutional bureaucracy so I ended my tenure there and accepted a position with a well-known and respected OB/GYN clinic.

A month after being employed with the OB/GYN clinic I was told "things weren't working out" and I was fired. It was the first inkling I had that there was any kind of problem. I was, again, devastated. When I applied for unemployment compensation, I found out the clinic disputed my eligibility because of "inappropriate conduct on the internet." This was not true, they didn't have any proof to substantiate it (because it wasn't true!) and I was granted unemployment benefits.

I felt it was time to consider other options so I started a small, part-time business while continuing to seek full-time work. This business has been minimally successful. I have some good, loyal clients but not enough of them to allow me to not seek additional employment.

I searched for a year to find employment in nursing, in IT or even as an administrative assistant or clerk. Finally, I was hired by a local physician's office. Unfortunately, I only lasted a week since the physicians were verbally abusive to staff and cold and insensitive to their patients. I just wasn't going to take it, I guess. (Since then they have advertised the position 3-4 different times. I guess no one else wants it, either.) I then accepted a position as Staff Development Coordinator in another local LTC facility. I did not misrepresent myself and told them I would need training and support. I got neither so after three weeks they offered me an indefinite floor position on 2nd shift, at a lower rate of pay. I chose not to accept. (They were having some staffing issues and I was the first of the nurse managers to volunteer additional shifts to help out.)

I am now in a position where my husband's salary doesn't cover our expenses. We need a consistent income. I am capable of doing many things but I don't know what I want to do. I have applied for every open nursing position in three counties and I can't even get a call for an interview. Because the length of employment times were so short I don't even list the last three disastrous positions on my resume, although then I would have to explain the gap in employment (and I do have my part-time business.) Of course, I can't even get an interview to explain anything so what does it matter? I want and need to work and feel I have a great deal to offer. However, I will not be mistreated, verbally abused, threatened or lied to. Am I asking too much?

I am 52 years old, am normal height/ weight and have no chronic medical conditions. I do not smoke or drink, I have reliable transportation and excellent references from employers, manager and co-workers up to and including the LTC where I worked when I first moved here. I also have an unencumbered state nursing license, which is more than I can say for many of my former co-workers. I have applied for positions at nearby facilities that are constantly advertising for nurses yet I cannot even navigate the system to talk to a human being, let alone get an interview or even a job. Last year I spoke to a local job coach who said I was "doing all the right things" to get a job. Apparently, that isn't accurate.

I'm seeking any advice you can give me. My family and friends are pretty well-tapped at this point and I'm about at the bottom of the well myself. I know I've made some poor decisions but I need to know how to get myself back to what I once was.

Note: I read the resume advice thread and my resume is flawless as far as grammar, spelling, etc. It's just the content that seems to be a problem.

Thank you.

[pat19090]

I can feel your frustrations while reading your post. I am a LPN and 57 yrs old. This is not just you, a lot of us are in the same position or soon will be. We have a lot of things going against us that we can not control. Number 1 is our age; employers are looking for younger people who will be with them longer, feel they will be more productive and can pay them less especially if they are new and inexperienced. Number 2 is the fact that we are LPNs. Have you read the post about LPNs being fired all over the country? Those LPNs are now looking to other healthcare sections for employment so job openings for them are fewer. Number 3 is what LPNs have trained, been licensed and worked at for years is now being done by Pt Care Techs and Med Techs; they are unlicensed, certification is not always needed, have minimal training so they are cheaper. Number 4 the health care industry is always crying about the shortage and this opens the door to hire people from foreign countries who will work for less and longer hours. Many will work more than one job and they will tell you how they need to send money to support their families back home.

As for advice. I know LPNs that have gone on to agency nursing and if you do not like the traveling and inconsistancy of agency at least you can get a look at who has needs and what the places are like then go apply at one you like or maybe if they know your good and interested they will appoach you. Just watch the fine print on your agency contract to see if you can accept a job or if they have a time limit as to how long you have to wait. You can also volunteer to get your foot in the door. I volunteer with a hospice and go out to nursing homes to see patients; at the same time I can look around and see what the place is like and how overwhelmed the staff is. Then there is also hospice care and home care to look into. Can you use your school credits from IT to bridge into RN faster? I know that it is hard to get into a lot of RN programs and it can take years and sounds like you need a solution faster.

Good Luck