Old LVN needs advice

[Modine]

Hi,

I'm reposting because I realized I may have posted in the wrong section. I have been an LVN for 20 years. Problem is I haven't worked for 17 years. I decided to go back to nursing and am currently going to school for RN and need to work. I recently took a nurse refresher course but am having no luck finding a job and have been told I need at least a years recent experience. I contacted a registry who accepted me but I'm very nervous about being sent to different facilities because of being away for so long. Can anyong give me any advice on registries. Also I will be going into the registry to sign the paperwork. Do they interview at that time and if so what type of questions might they ask?

[butterflyspirit]

Yes, the day you go in to fill out your papers be ready to take a pharm test and they will give you a assessment test of your skills. The testing is to help put you in the right job skill level. What are you attracted to in nursing???? What dept. You can always start slow. I have heard working in the jail is very easy and it is a great way to get your feet wet. Don't jump into a nursing home setting:typing Ask lots of questions for what is available and don't forget to find out what the pay is per site. Hospital pay more, Jails pay well, Home care pays a little less. Welcome into your new start again. Don't be afraid just know you can work where you feel comfortable.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I would approach the nurse recruiter about putting you to work prn as LVN in while in school with the expectation they can roll you over to a new RN grad slot after graduation. They may have a place for you as "nurse extern" instead of LVN. Ask them to be creative while you are in school. Perhaps tech in ER or OR or elsewhere. If you have a valid LVN license you will be held to that level of responsibility and accountability, but if you are working under a different job title the issue may never be a reality. We hire LVN's as RN-Nurse Externs to assure us of a well-trained new grad later down the road.

[Modine]

thank for your reply. i will ask about the externs. however i'm not actually in the rn program yet. i'm working on all my prerequisites have probably another year of them before i move into the step up program. i really don't know what to expect when going for a job now days, the process is so different. it used to be you filled out an application and got the job, now you interview with several different people and they ask a ton of questions. anyway thank you again.