JamiR369

I am a new RN but an old LPN ( 10 + yrs experience). I was soo excited to graduate with my RN degree and was eager to take my nursing degree to the next level. The problem I'm running into is, Acute care Hospitals in NJ ( the ones who dont require BSN) don't consider LPN experience. I was told that new RNs with LPN experience are still considered a " new grad" with NO nursing experience. I was also told that my area Hospitals only hire "new Grads" once a yr ,shortly after graduation and there are only a few positions avail, making them VERY competitive. After working in the medical field for 20 yrs and being an LPN in sub acute rehab,hospice ,Endo and LTC for over 10 yrs, I have to say that I'm absolutely crushed over this. I feel soo disappointed , not to mention un appreciated and worthless. I'm in my 40's and not interested in starting all over on a crappy shift on a heavy med surg floor. ( In other words, I'm too old for that crap).So I'm stuck in the same LTC/Rehab I was doing as an LPN. I almost feel as though all the traumatizing sacrifices I made going back to school were for nothing. Very Disappointed!!!!

Hi, I'm afraid I don't have good news for you. I worked there for many years and live in the area. I just finished all of my pre reqs and have been working as an LPN for 6 yrs now. I had no idea how hard the TEAS test is. I've taken the HESI for mercer county community college and passed with no studying. Not so with the TEAS. They require a min. Of 65 to pass . I just rescheduled to take the test for the THIRD time. Yes that's right, I said third! I can't get over 62! Sad but true. Unless you're very good with algebra and chemistry, which I am absolutely not. It can be quite difficult to get in. if you're graduating from mercer county vo tech LPN program, you won't need to take the TEAS. I UNFORTUNATELY did not..... good luck to you, maybe I'll see you there.

The base rate for an LPN in central jersey ranges from $20-$30 an hr depending on the facility, your experience and the shift. I've been an LPN for 7 yrs in Both LTC and sub acute. I work weekends only and get $35 an hr for day shift.

I've been working in LTC and Hate it!!! I miss Endo I have only found one Endo LPN position posted but it was an hour and a half away from me. I applied anyway but they never called me. I guess because I'm a "new nurse" not new to endo though. I'm in Central NJ and I only know of one LPN in Endo and she's been doing it for 35 yrs! I would actually be happy to do admit and discharge but it doesnt exist in this area:crying2:

I'm in Central NJ and 75% of LPN positions are in long term care:bluecry1:. The rest is either in offices, home care agencies/Hospice or clinics in the hospital. I work 3 days in LTC and 2 days in an inpatient hospice unit in the hospital but not "part of the hospital".

In Central NJ as a brand new nurse in Long Term Care $24.00 for day shift. My facility gives $1.50 Shift Diff for 3p-11p and 11p-7a

I'm a new nurse. Not new to Healthcare, worked in hospitals for about 15 yrs as phlebotomist, unit secretary,monitor/EKG tech and then the last 5 yrs as a cert Endoscopy Tech . So I guess you can say I've been around the hospital a bit. I graduated last june 2011 and could only find work in long term care and I hate it. Its not the kind of nursing that I had always seen in the hospital that made me wanna be a nurse. Last month I went to the hospital I had worked at and saw a posting for a per diem LPN on the inpatient Hospice unit. I applied and got the job. I've been doing 3 days in LTC and 2 days in Hospice and I have to say " ILOVE IT!!! " I'm next in line for a full time postion when one opens up and i will leave my LTC job in a heartbeat! Its much more like hospital nursing but ln a more relaxed setting. Nobody is in a hurry. You only get a few patients so you have more one on one time. I feel that its much more rewarding. As long as death doesnt bother you, its great! Good luck to you...

I'm a fairly new nurse also. I've worked in "Hospitals" for years as a cert. Endoscopy Tech., a phlebotomist and also as an EKG/ monitor tech so I have quite a bit of healthcare exp. but never in long term care untill now. Unfortunately, in NJ decent paying LPN jobs are only in LTC. I started working in November 2011 at one of the best facilities in my area and can honestly say that I HATE it with a passion! I dread having to go to work. About a month ago i applied for a perdiem position in an acute care Hospital on thier inpatient Hospice unit and I LOVE it!!! Its about $2.00 less per hour but Its worth it. Its completely different. Its actually like "Hospital nursing". Maybe you should try applying for something less stressfull like maybe in a clinic in the hospital or an office ar maybe even a planned parenthood. "Nursing Homes" Skilled nursing, Long Term Care , whatever u call it, Is very stressfull, the Med pass is very heavy and we wont even talk about when thier preparing for state inspections! It's a nightmare. Sounds like you have alot on your plate. Try lightening the load by finding a more relaxed job. Good luck to you....

I'm also a new grad. and was just hired at my one and only interview lol. I got my license in hand 2 weeks ago and went on an application frenzy. I applied to 18 facilities in my county. This is probably my least favorite. It's a medicaid only Long term care facility in a VERY undesirable part of town. I took the position on the spot without hesitation. $ 21.00 per hr to start. I haven't worked since before I started my LPN program. I'm broke and desperate not to mention that Christmas is around the corner. Not sure if the questions they asked me will apply to you. Iwas asked first, : What made you go into nursing? What shift are you most interested in working and which are you least interested in? I was asked if I had children , thier ages and would child care be an issue should i be needed for overtime. They asked if I had applied to other facilities. If I had my choice to work at any of theplaces I had applied, which would be my favorite? I was then told that the CNA's can be a little challenging and would I have a problem with delegating and enforcing what was asked of them! hahaha Then I was told that I seemed a little soft to work in a place like that! With that being said, Tomorrow is my first day :) This should be fun...

I am a new grad. finished school June 24 2011. Took my NCLEX 8/19/11 and passed on the first try! today is 9/27/11 and I still have NO license, which means NO JOB!!! I am 42, I've been in healthcare for years. Even worked for the state of NJ Dept. of Health in the WIC dept. as a Cert. Med. Assistant. I've had atleast a half Doz. criminal background checks which nothing ever showed up, untill now of course. When I had just turned 18 I bought a used car stereo for my first car from a nieghborhood boy. The next day I was charged with recieving stolen property. I un knowingly purchased a stolen radio! That was the ONLY time in my life which i have ever been in trouble with police. I recieved PTI ( pre trial intervention). I later had the charge expunged. So I naturally answered NO to the question on the application. Well surprise! It showed up. And the best part is, NO one will answer any questions!!! So now I'm out of school, out of un employment money, have no license, no job, no income, tons of bills, about to lose my house and christmas is right around the corner! What will I tell my kids?! Sorry kids, although Mommy worked her butt off for the past 3 years to make a better life for us, this year for Christmas we'll be moving to the homeless shelter!

as a former CNA / Endo tech, we use regular body lotion while cleaning sticky poop. Works like a charm quick and easily found :yelclap:

I graduated June 24th and took my exit exam july 8 and just recieved a reply from the state board of NJ with info on getting my fingerprints. I will be registering for the Nclex first tomorrow morning. So to answer your question, NO, I havent found a job and looks to be slim pickins. All i see is home care agency listed! Not good for a new grad... Anyone know of any LTC or acute care facilities hiring in NJ???

I'm a new grad. LPN in Trenton NJ , waiting to take the nclex. I also went to LPN school due to long waiting lists for the RN program. I have 5 hospitals in my area but only one of them uses LPN's, but "only" in thier locked prison unit, locked mental health/crisis unit and home care. Sure, the LTC facilities still use LPN's and I'm sure thats what i will wind up doing until i finish my RN program but thats not my first choice. I've worked in hospitals for 20 yrs as a unit clerk, phlebotomist/EKG tech, critical care tech and last as a Certified Endo tech. and LOVE most areas of acute care. All of my clinicals have been in LTC and I can honestly say I dread it but the truth is that I'm stuck with it till I become an RN. Sad but true

Does anyone know of any LPN's working in Endo? I had worked as a certified endo tech in NJ for about 5 yrs but was laid off due to cut backs in the hosp. I took advantage of my un employment and went back to school for LPN. I'm graduating 6/24/11 and would really like to get back into endo but wasn't sure what I could do as an LPN since i cant do a push. Any ideas??? Other then getting my RN lol

Hi, I'm in my last semester at the center for allied health in Ewing NJ. I graduate May 27th . I've had a great experience here. I originally came from another LPN school who would not work with my Math issues. The staff was very supportive and the clinical experiences have been great! I've been working in health care for 20 yrs and cant wait to pass the nclex on the first try! I look forward to working as an LPN. J.Rios