San Diego LVN Jobs?!!

californiamalelpn · Jul 19, 2009

i feel your frustration and just like you i also had my education outside of this country but i'm not sure if that's the problem cos i realised that, for a few of the interviews that i went to, i did not disclose that i had my education outside cos afteall, they did not asked and the fact is that i passed the exam that i was required to pass so i am a qualified nurse, as a matter of fact i am qualified as an rn but decided to start as an lvn first, i am also cleared by the state board to write the rn boards but will wait till i get job as a lpn first, see, unlike you with a working husband, am broke and need some money before going back to seat for my nclex-rn exams. good luck and if you find something, kindly share with me too and i will do the same, i live in san diego also and good luck to you.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2009

I too am having problems finding a job. I'm just waiting for my results for my NCLEX-PN so that I can apply for my license. All the jobs in the area are requiring at least a years experience. How can I get that experience if nobody will hire me. I understand that I'm still waiting for my results and license but I've been doing my shopping and I'm willing to work at anyplace that will hire me as a LVN. So I feel you Romanced5, but I didn't go through the extreme that you've gone through already. I can totally feel your frustration.

Californiamalelpn now why would you want to start out as an LVN first? That doesn't make any sense to me. If you're a RN in your country of origin then you should have done that first. If you have paid experience as a RN in your country of origin then you should have no problem finding a job. Even though nobody asked you about your education, you really should be up front with them if you're offered a job. You definately don't want to get off on the wrong foot because they will look at it as "lies of omission".

What I would do and what I plan on doing is to keep calling around and doing some follow ups. Which I know you've been doing. Keep doing those follow ups on a regular basis, and let them know you'll be following up to see if anything comes up. If you also have the time, I would volunteer at the activities department or something until you can find something. Even if it's a few hours a week, at least you will get them to know you. That might help

Good Luck to you both!

californiamalelpn · Jul 20, 2009

thanks for your advice, i am not implying that i hide my education from employers, it's on my resume and also in the application that i submit, all i'm saying is that i do not volunteer information during an interview that was not ask of me, it's there for them to see and i'm starting as an lvn because i did not have the money to register and prepare for the RN exam the way i will want to, i was able to pass the lvn exam without much prep, afterall it's a lesser exam content wise.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2009

Did you guys also try Home Health? Like VNA or something? I think they might be hiring, but also I think they want at least a years experience as a LVN first. At least in my area of California. Did you guys try the correctional facilities? I heard they're hiring but unsure if they hire new grads. Health clinics are hiring all over the place. Good luck!

romanced05 · Jul 20, 2009

Thank you guys for all of your quick replies!

I did receive my education in the US. What I meant is that I graduated from a school outside of San Diego, which was in Chicago. I have all of my Licenses and certifications here in San Diego, so that's not a problem for me. I have also tried the correctional facilities as well, they say that I am not qualified enough (I guess that's their way of saying that they want a year experience, I don't now). I tried home health also but they require a year experience as well.

LatinaVNStudentRN2B, thanks for your advice! I'm definitely going to keep following up with people to let them know how serious I am and how bad I really want to work! I'm considering just going back to school to transition to RN because with all the time that I am wasting trying to find a job, I could be almost half way there. But....That's just another problem that San Diego has, the wait list here are really long for RN schools and the schools that don't have wait list are toooo expensive. And Honestly, I really need a job because I really need the money. It's all really confusing!! I hope there's something that I'm missing so that I can find a job soon.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2009

Thank you guys for all of your quick replies!
I did receive my education in the US. What I meant is that I graduated from a school outside of San Diego, which was in Chicago. I have all of my Licenses and certifications here in San Diego, so that's not a problem for me. I have also tried the correctional facilities as well, they say that I am not qualified enough (I guess that's their way of saying that they want a year experience, I don't now). I tried home health also but they require a year experience as well.
LatinaVNStudentRN2B, thanks for your advice! I'm definitely going to keep following up with people to let them know how serious I am and how bad I really want to work! I'm considering just going back to school to transition to RN because with all the time that I am wasting trying to find a job, I could be almost half way there. But....That's just another problem that San Diego has, the wait list here are really long for RN schools and the schools that don't have wait list are toooo expensive. And Honestly, I really need a job because I really need the money. It's all really confusing!! I hope there's something that I'm missing so that I can find a job soon.

Romance, they have some very good schools in San Diego. Kaplan is a very good school and I've worked with Kaplan nurses, that school was once Maric College. It's a private college, but it is less expensive than most private colleges. You might look into Kaplan, I'm unsure what the waiting list is there, but keep your options open and you're doing the right thing by continuing. That's what I'm planning on doing. I guess these people on the hiring committees need to be reminded that they themselves had to start somewhere, and I think it's rediculous how they require a year experience. Good Luck! :nurse:

californiamalelpn · Jul 20, 2009

hello romanced05, i wanted to know how you went about applying for the dept. of correctional job, did you go through agency or what web site did you use? and if you could share that with me. thanks and good luck on the job search.

romanced05 · Jul 20, 2009

Thanks LatinaVNStudentRN2! Kaplan was actually the school that I had in mind but it just has sooo many negative reviews, I was having second thoughts. I just don't know how I will pay for a degree that's so expensive but I'll figure it out. I'm actually going to give them a call tomorrow and see if I can stop by to speak to an admissions representative. californiamalelpn, I don't remember exactly what website I used to apply for the San Diego Dept of Corrections LVN job. I just googled it and found it.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2009

You're very welcome!!! I would just go visit the campus, don't worry about reviews, you need to visit the campus and speak to an admissions counselor. Then if you can and if allowed speak to the current students. Good Luck!

America's Heroes · Nov 19, 2009

Check out the Henry Jackson Foundation at www.hjf.org They are looking for nurses in San Diego. I know they are definiately trying to hire 4 Clinicial Research Nurses. Good luck.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Nov 21, 2009

I know this is an older thread started way back in July but I hope everyone didn't run out and go to an expensive private school. I applied to City College LVN-RN last year in August. I was accepted in Feb of this year, started the LVN-RN transition course in March and then started the 2nd year of RN this year in August and it's been going well. The last person to apply actually didn't apply until January of this year and got in.

All the community colleges do LVN-RN transition and even tho Grossmont College is very unhelpful and tells you there is a three year wait list they are wrong. They called me and I had only waited one year but I was already in City by that time. They did take two friends of mine who ended up waiting only 9 months.

Palomar college as well as SouthWestern college accept LVN-RN too.

I hope you LVNs found a good job or just any kind of job. I did get a great job at Paradise Valley Hospital in National City working on Med/Surg. They do hire LVNs at that hospital in telemetry, behavioral health, rehab, and the hyperbaric wound center.

Hope everyone is doing well :)