freezebaby

I was an LPN for four years before I finished my ADN program last August. I thought with all my experience and volunteering I would have no problem getting a job as an acute care RN. I have applied to every hospital in the Seattle/Bellevue area, and have been told by most, even after interviews, that they are only accepting BSN nurses, even though the job posting only says BSN strongly preferred. I was rejected from residency programs with the organization I already work for as an RN in ambulatory care. Based on advice in this forum, I even applied to some positions that were not residency positions. I had an interview for one, they checked my five references, then told me I was not eligible because I am a new graduate (which they already knew). I have already been accepted to a BSN program and indicate this on my resume, but it does not seem to matter. Are all you other ADN grads having the same problem? I will have a BSN in a year, but by then I won't be a new graduate so I won't be eligible for most residency programs, yet I won't have enough experience to apply for regular RN positions. You can't even volunteer as a nurse, so how do you get experience? I did shadow at a hospital, but I'm sure this won't count as experience. Does anyone have any tips on what to do, aside from working a skilled nursing facility?

Personally, I love home health. I am an LPN so I have a less paper work to do than the RN's, but I think I would still prefer it over acute care once I'm an RN. I have a hard time dealing with the stress of multiple patients who all need a lot of care at once. I get to travel all over my city and see places I would've never seen, but my territory is all within about 10 miles. I get to meet many interesting people and see them in their own environment. I get to do teaching and give one on one care where I actually feel like I'm helping someone. I get to see people improve the condition of their chronic illnesses because of interventions we implement. I work Monday-Friday 0800-1630. I work two holidays a year. I get paid $0.51 a mile which pays for gas and then some. I get to collaborate with a team and learn leadership. I clock in at 0800 and get on my computer to make my schedule for the day, call patients and do chart review. I have a max of 6 patients a day which rarely happens. I'm usually home before 1630. I finish my charting, send emails and make phone calls. I have worked in Assisted Living and SNF's and neither of them where anywhere near as great as this job is. I'm part of a union and just got a surprise "lump sum" payment of $500 for no reason that I'm aware of.Love it, love it, love it. It sounds like the work load really depends on the company you work for. There are times when the RN's are overloaded with admits, but later on it levels off. Go where your heart is. Pick the field that you think will make you the happiest. If it doesn't, change again until you find the right one.

I am a new LPN, I graduated in May and moved to Honolulu to take a job in home care. I get a free apartment with utilities, free company car, free gas, free food, full benefits and free cleaning supplies and toiletries. I have been living here for 6 months and I love Hawaii and my job. There is only a few problems.I work 3 12 hour shifts in a row then I have 3 days off, so it is impossible to take any classes because I never work the same days every week. I am only 22 years old, but I don't want to be an LPN forever and I still have prereqs to take before I can even apply to RN programs. Another problem is that I have a free apartment, but it is upstairs at the house I work at, so there is not much privacy. Everyone I work with knows whenever I come and go and who I have over. I love all my 8 residents, but sometimes I feel like I can not get away from work even on my days off. Also I feel like I'm not getting a lot of skilled nursing care experience since I have been a Home Health Aide for three years and this position is similar but with a few added responsibilities. From everything I have been reading and hearing, LPN's are having a hard time finding jobs everywhere else. I am from Minnesota and I'm not really sure on how I feel about going back to sub-zero temperatures and feet of snow. I'm scared if I try to go back for school I won't find a job and will rack up more student loans. I have a year contract and it's up in June and I'm trying to decide whether to renew it or not. I have a few months to think about it but I wanted to see what others think. All opinions are appreciated :)

I am in MN also. I graduated the 20th and I'm waiting for my school to send in my program completion. How soon are there openings to take the NCLEX once you get your ATT? I have a job waiting for me in Hawaii so I want to take it ASAP and I'm hoping there will be spots to test soon.

After three long agonizing semesters of an LPN program I am finally graduating May 20. Read your text books for hours and hours until you can't read any more. I made my own flash cards and that seemed to work fine. Also never give up. I wanted to a couple of times, but made it through. Good luck!!