Previous LPN experience: Gave you a leg up on RN positions when you graduated?

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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Specializes in Peds/Neuro/General Med-Surg/epilepsy.

Anyone who has finished an LPN to RN program find that having been an LPN previously gave you a leg up on RN positions when you graduated? Im getting nervous hearing people say that they are having problems finding jobs as new grad RNs but these are people who were previously nursing assistants or had no prior healthcare experience. I keep hearing "dont worry you've been a nurse for years, you should have no problem finding a job. Surely your LPN experience counts for something." but as my graduation date approaches Im getting more and more nervous. :uhoh3:

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Specializes in floor to ICU.
Anyone who has finished an LPN to RN program find that having been an LPN previously gave you a leg up on RN positions when you graduated? I'm getting nervous hearing people say that they are having problems finding jobs as new grad RNs but these are people who were previously nursing assistants or had no prior healthcare experience. I keep hearing "don't worry you've been a nurse for years, you should have no problem finding a job. Surely your LPN experience counts for something." but as my graduation date approaches I'm getting more and more nervous. :uhoh3:

I am still employed with my hospital-went thru the LVN to RN program while working weekends there. I would think you would have an advantage. Depending on your work history: Acute care LVNs definitely have an advantage for a RN position at a hospital. They already have a solid nursing base as far as experience, passing meds, critical thinking, prioritizing, finding your way thru a 3 inch thick chart, speaking with physicians, and collaborating care with other departments.

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

My LPN experience is in a nursing home. I hope that at least helps a little! Even though I know it's slower paced, I do have 43 residents at a time and I've been doing this for years!!!

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

I graduated from an RN bridge program in March, passed NCLEX in May, and have more than 4 years of LVN experience.

It depends on the types of RN positions that you are seeking, as well as the job outlook in the area where you live. Since my 4 years of LVN experience is in LTC/nursing homes, I cannot find an acute care hospital job right now. Most will not call back or respond to my employment applications because they are looking for previous hospital experience, and I have never worked in a hospital before.

However, I can find RN positions in nursing homes rather easily. On the other hand, my whole purpose of earning the RN license was to expand my career opportunities and to have options outside the nursing home.

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.
I graduated from an RN bridge program in March, passed NCLEX in May, and have more than 4 years of LVN experience.

It depends on the types of RN positions that you are seeking, as well as the job outlook in the area where you live. Since my 4 years of LVN experience is in LTC/nursing homes, I cannot find an acute care hospital job right now. Most will not call back or respond to my employment applications because they are looking for previous hospital experience, and I have never worked in a hospital before.

However, I can find RN positions in nursing homes rather easily. On the other hand, my whole purpose of earning the RN license was to expand my career opportunities and to have options outside the nursing home.

I'm in the same boat. I wanted hospital experience, but no one would hire me as an LPN because they only wanted LPNs with experience. So I couldn't get experience! At least by me there are nursing home run under the same company as the hospitals so they told me to work in one of their nursing homes for 6 months then transfer to the hospital. I'd be more likely to get a job that way because I'm already an employee.

I decided just to go get my RN, but maybe that can help you?

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At the moment I think there are so many unemployed nurses employers have a great choice of applicants. hopefully the economy will pick up soon.

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If a hospital is looking for experienced RNs for unfilled positions, then a new grad RN-LPN will probably be in the same position as a new grad RN. If the hospital is looking for new grads, then I'd think employment history and the LPN experience would help. I think it's really sad how LPNs know SO much and DO so much, yet don't get credit in many aspects. Most places won't count LPN experience as nursing experience, either, that is when a LPN becomes a RN.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Surgical Post-Trauma, Peds.

I am still in a LVN to RN/BSN program so I can't speak for myself, but I have a good friend who just finished RN school, she has been an LVN for close to 10 years. She was told by the hospital she works for that she would need to apply as a new grad and they don't hire new grads :crying2: which is discouraging because she is a great nurse and a great employee?? She is looking now at other hospitals in the area

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How long did it take to complete the bridge program????

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

I'm staying with my current employer after graduation.

How long did it take to complete the bridge program????

Depends on your program. I think some of the programs are about 12 to 18 months. Mine is 5 semesters.

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