Rn Go Home ?????

[Haunted]

I have been jumping thru some unbelievable hoops and cutting checks left and right to get my Tennessee RN license processed for several weeks. In my abundance of spare time I have been researching jobs and faxing my resume looking for a job WHEN that license comes thru. I am astonished to find that "LPN's" rule the roost here and employers are less than motivated to hire experienced RN's. They are proud to say that the need is "very limited". I will find myself working SNF at a lower pay rate thru registry. I am unable to commit to a permanent staff position at this time. Should I just forget it altogether and get a job in retail? I'm not ready to pitch my career just yet but I don't feel very hopeful.

It's all been very overwhelming. I'm feeling very discouraged. Any advice?

[CHATSDALE]

in some areas, esp ltc and alf, they can get by with a minimum # of rns and have lpns do meds, charting, txs and rn in a supervisory position

look for a job in positions where a rn is required by law ie ddialysis, high care units etc..

heres hoping that the license comes through and that yo will find what you are looking for

[Mijourney]

I agree with the previous poster. You should consider sticking to find those positions that require skills such as RN case manager, educator, critical care or special care units. The LPNs here in TN get utilized alot because many of them are certified with different skills. And because they are LPNs with those skills, certain employers will look for that as opposed to paying more for an RN. If you haven't already, check out TN's nurse practice act for RN and LPN and see what you think. Best wishes to you.

[lupin]

I moved here last year and really had no problem with getting my license. I have noticed that there is a lot of LPN utilization here which is a happy change from Maine where I moved from. A lot of places there have gone to RN only status and it does a real disservice to the pts and RNs.

However I don't really see that they "rule the roost". There are quite a lot of home health and dialysis centers in my area that are begging for RNs. Plus a lot of the doctors and specialists are doing procedures in their offices which they need an RN for. Travel nurses in this area seem to be mostly RNs, from what I see in the hospital.

Good luck to you. I am sorry that you are having such a hard time. I hope things improve for you!