Commando_Brando

LVN program I went to in California (Concorde Career College) submitted our application to test about a few days before we finished the program. You can't take the NCLEX until your board of nursing in your state approves you to take the NCLEX. It took 3 weeks before I received my approval to test. The minute I read my approval letter I applied for the soonest NCLEX date which was two days later (NCLEX test dates varies literally everyday, so don't expect a date of your choice to be there tomorrow. Pick one and commit to it). As a new grad nurse I know I wouldn't get the best job so get what you can. You can try applying to jobs even before you get your official license. I applied to 2 home health jobs to gain nursing experience then 5 months later applied and currently working my dream job at a high acuity urgent care. I'm only making $23/hr but great benefits and discounts. Here's a timeline to make it easier to see: Graduated March 30th - Received approval to test April 18th - Scheduled and took the test April 20th - Got my license April 30th - Job offer April 28th but didn't start working until May 1st.

Kooky Korky is right. Just resign in a profession manner. If a job doesn't put in the effort to train their employees sufficiently then their patient's safety is no better either. I'm currently working at an Urgent Care as a LVN and I had to be on orientation for 6 weeks before I am able to do anything on my own.

Thanks! Each urgent care here is different from what I’ve heard from my colleagues and former co-workers. A colleague of mine just teaches other Medical Assistants how to work in an urgent care while only helping with hands-on portion when they’re short staffed. Another colleague of mine does just specimen collections, blood draws, ECG, and vital signs. I honestly love urgent care because it keeps me busy and having the outpatient setting helps me see a variety of patients. I start IVs (all ages), blood draw, temporary splints, wound care, specimen collections, and help providers (doctors, nurse practitioner, physician assistants) with surgical procedures. I guess it just depends what your urgent care you work at as a LVN/LPN.

I feel your frustration. My college (Concorde Career College, San Bernardino) had a person who helped new grad LVNs find jobs. Unfortunately, she could only find jobs that were Hospice or Home Health. I knew the job market for new grads were rough because of the “need experience” ordeal, so I took whatever I could. I took Home Health even though it wasn’t what I really wanted and continued to find jobs on my own. I was sooo depressed after looking for 5 months and applying to over 60 job applications. I had my BLS, ACLS, PALS, IV and Blood Withdrawal certifications too! Only 2 places called for an interview and only one extended that offer to work as an Urgent Care LVN. Take what you can get and build on that. Find the job you need until you find the job you want. Don’t give up and good luck!

Hello everyone! I just want to give my fellow LVNs / LPNs insights about the NCLEX once you have finished taking the final test. I love reading all the comments that go on in allnurses.com and finding tips and information that’ll help me with my nursing career, and I want to do the same. Hopefully this will relieve some anxiety and stress. I’m not sure if this is helpful in other states besides California (since that’s where I did my LVN program and NCLEX) but it’s worth a shot. After I took my NCLEX, I did what most post-NCLEX person would do..have anxiety for the next few weeks or months and do the Pearson Vue Trick to see if I passed. I got a good sign but I wasn’t convinced that I passed. After doing some research and testing this method out with my colleagues, I’m convinced this is a sure way for you to know you’ve passed the NCLEX as well as a faster way to get your LVN license and start finding jobs! So here’s what I found out: When you log into your breeze account (breeze.ca.gov) and under “Manage Applications” you have a list to choose from “Change of Name Application”, “Request for Verification”, “Vocational Nurse Exam Retake Application”, and “Vocational Nurse Interim Permit Application”. After 2 business days (Monday to Friday is business days) of taking your NCLEX, your breeze account should update to “Change of Name Application”, “Request for Verification”, “Vocational Nurse Initial Application for Licensure” under Manage Applications. Once you see “Vocational Nurse Initial Application for Licensure”, you passed and you can start the payment as soon as you see that application even before you receive your passing NCLEX letter! I’ve tried this with multiple classmates of mine and it has never failed! Despite what the BVNPT says about the time it takes to receive your license you’ll usually get it within a week after you paid for your license on Breeze. Hope this was helpful and I’ll be sending good vibes to all my fellow LVNs and LPNs!