I graduated and LVN program in December of 2008. All throughout the program, I worked full time as a CNA, and then in October of 2008, I got layed off due to "budget cuts"(I was working at a research center). Anyhow, while I was unemployed, I looked for CNA jobs at hospitals that hired LVN's. The reason I did this was because it is much easier to transition into an LVN position from CNA at a hospital, opposed to just getting ur license and looking for jobs who say, "one year of experience required". Many new LVN's find it very hard to find a job right after getting their license. Anyhow, after 4 months of looking, I landed a job at an acute care/long term care(med/surg) hospital as a CNA. I took my boards on March 19th, just recently passed, told my DON and asked her if there was an LVN position open. Guess what she said? "We will create a position for you!" So my advice to all of you LVN/LPN students, find a job as a CNA at a place where they hire LVN's. You will have a better chance of getting a job as an LVN/LPN right away, opposed to being rejected by all of these places who want nurses with at least a years experience.