New_LPN

I graduated in May 2011 and passed the boards in June. I searched high and low for jobs in my state and eventually moved to a new state and still nothing! I have now applied for 127 jobs in four different states. I've only had one interview so far! I try not to get discouraged, but when I think about the fact that I am just one of the hundreds of Nurses on this board with the same sob story, I just want to cry!!! I just with I could figure out what I was doing wrong.

So here's my newest dilemma.... How long should I wait to hear back from them?The HR person I interviewed with called last Friday (one week ago) to let me know that they had completed my reference and background check and needed me to give details about something on my criminal record. She also said that "We are interviewing more applicants this next week, but I should be able to let you know something by the end of next week..." Its now Friday at 5:15PM and no call! I've been like a teenager waiting for a boy to call, watching my phone and occasionally calling it to make sure it still works all week long!!!!! Obviously, calling her over the weekend will do me no good, but how long should I wait? And should I email her, or call, and what the heck do I say??

Thank you wrenRN06 for your support! I think the interview went well, I was invited to do a shadow shift on Monday, that I also think went well!! They are in the process of checking my references and background right now. I guess that means they have some sort of interest in me! I just hope that all goes well and they offer me the position! I really like the unit and the staff that I met, and I REALLY want to work for this hospital. Waiting for their offer is almost worse than the pre-interview anxiety! I'll let you know when I find out- Thanks again for your vote of confidence.

Hello- I have my first interview this week at a hospital on a Med/Surg floor. I'm so nervous I haven't slept in days! I really want (and need!!) this job and I am so worried I will mess it up. I've done all the preparation things that are suggested, read countless answers to the "tough interview questions" and researched the hospital as much as I can. I still don't feel prepared! I am interviewing with HR and then the Unit Manager, I'm scared that they are going to ask me questions about meds or procedures that I won't be able to answer, I've been out of school since May and I feel like I've forgotten everything. Any words of advice? How the heck am I going to go in there and show them I'm the best candidate for the job when I'm so afraid that I'm not?? Thank you in advance for any advise!

Thanks for your suggestions... I went to the UPMC East Job Fair today, and as I suspected, they are not hiring any new grads because its a brand new facility. The recruiting person told me UPMC "ocasionally" hires LPN's in the hospital, but rarely a new grad LPN.Phooey!! :'( Well, at least I know for sure now!

Hello- I'm trying to get a job at UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA and I would really like to work in the hospital, preferably Med/Surg. I am a new LPN, so I know this is a high reaching goal, but am I wasting my time trying? I've seen (a few) job postings on their site for LTC and Home Health positions, but never for in hospital LPN's. I really don't feel confident enough yet to do Home Health, and I would prefer to not do LTC...(I worked as CNA in LTC) I really think that for me Med/Surg would be the best place to learn as much as possible, as I do plan to continue on to RN. Anyone know if they do hire LPN's in the hospitals? Anyone have suggestions for other ideas for LPN's who really want to learn? I am new to Pittsburgh and really struggling to find work! I'm open to suggestions!!! Thanks!

Hello- I'm trying to get a job at UPMC and I would really like to work in the hospital, preferably Med/Surg. I am a new LPN, so I know this is a high reaching goal, but am I wasting my time trying? I've seen (a few) job postings on their site for LTC and Home Health positions, but never for in hospital LPN's. I really don't feel confident enough yet to do Home Health, and I would prefer to not do LTC...(I worked as CNA in LTC) I really think that for me Med/Surg would be the best place to learn as much as possible, as I do plan to continue on to RN. Anyone know if they do hire LPN's in the hospitals? Anyone have suggestions for other ideas for LPN's who really want to learn? I am new to Pittsburgh and really struggling to find work! I'm open to suggestions!!! Thanks!

Hello all- I am a new LPN in a new city desperately trying to find a job. I've had a few interviews that I thought went well but no offers! I've been told by quite a few people that my lack of experience working in the field might be what is keeping me from getting hired. I'm wondering, how the heck can I get experience if no one will hire me without experience?? I really want to work for awhile before I go on and get me RN, but I feel like the longer I am out of school the harder it is going to be to get a job. I had this crazy idea that maybe if I could get someone to hire me as a CNA I could get some experience and show them what a great LPN I could be for them once a position opens up. I've never had a CNA license, but surely my LPN education is enough to qualify for one, right? Does anyone know if, or how this would work? Do I have to complete a CNA course to get the license? Or should I give up on the idea of working and just get back into school to complete my RN? Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

Hello all- Just wanted to say thank you so much for all of your advise and support. I was apprehensive at first to ask for your help in fear of what kind of response I might get, but I'm so happy that I did. You've reminded me that a true Nurse cares for anyone who needs them and I thank you all for doing that for me. I put out some applications for restaurant job, ect. and hope to be scheduling some interviews soon! I think I will start applying for LPN jobs in two months and will definitely take some home drug tests before I take any for a new job. Thanks again for all your help-

Thank you Anne for your support and advise!

Thank you, and you are correct, I am concerned about taking people under my care, and would never put a patient in danger by taking a responsibility that I didn't think I was ready for.

First, thank you for your kind words. Secondly, I do have a great deal of emotional support, but not financial. This is quite a dilemma. I'm going to need to find some kind of job, but not really sure how or what yet. Do I tell potential employers I'm a Nurse? How do I explain this? And when I do start interviewing for Nursing jobs, how do I explain the long period of not having a Nursing job?

After a year of hard work, I made it through LPN school and passed my boards in May. In June my world fell apart when my mother died and I lost a baby at 22 weeks. As you can imagine I was overwhelmed by grief. I had somewhat of a breakdown, and stupidly turned to smoking marijuana to ease my pain. (Please know I do not think using drugs is a good way to cope, it was a very poor decision.) I finally came to my senses last week and stopped smoking. I am seeing a counselor and going to support group meetings. I have no intention of ever smoking again, I value my work as a Nurse and would never put patients at risk by using illegal drugs. I do not currently have a job, but want more than anything to start working as an LPN so I can gain experience and have the confidence and skills needed to continue my education and get my RN. Here's the problem: I know that the THC may stay in my body for up to 90 days and I do not want to jeopardize my future as a Nurse by having a positive drug test result. But I also don't want to wait for three months to start interviewing for jobs. If I were to interview and be hired, do you think I could explain my situation and still be considered for the position? Or am I just out of luck until the drugs leave my system? Any advise would be greatly appreciated, thank you for taking the time to read this!