Starting to get discouraged

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So here's my situation. I am currently knocking pre-requisite classes out to get in to an ADN program at my college. I have an opportunity to become an LVN first, and then bridge to ADN with no wait list or competition. This would also be a great idea for me to do since I have a wife, and we would like to be pulling in more income (I'm stuck with a low paying dead end job at the moment.) Anyway, my problem is that more and more people I talk to are saying that there are hardly any job opportunities for LVNs, and if you're a new grad, forget about it. I think I just need someone to tell me that there are jobs out there, and that I wont be sinking my money in to something that I really shouldn't.

I know the smart thing would be to get my ADN, then get BSN (I dont't have the time or money to go BSN right now.) But I was hoping someone could tell me it wasn't hopeless to become a VN first. I really want to be a nurse, and I really need a better job like pronto. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

I think you should stick with it and search for opportunities out there. Don't give up now!

Definitely gonna stick with it. Who knows? I might get a job, I might not. I won't know unless I try tho:)

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.
It's sad, but usually true... Males are more likely to be hired than Females as an rn. So your chances might be better. . .

Please do not generalize. This is NOT the case - at least in acute care. Don't want to give the OP false hopes.

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Please do not generalize. This is NOT the case - at least in acute care. Don't want to give the OP false hopes.

I figured it wasnt the case. I've seen people post stuff like this before, but im hoping it's more based on skill rather than what sex you are

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I would call LTC facilities in your area and ask "Im calling to see if you are currently hiring LPNs? Then ask "Do you know if you hire new grad LPNs?" I realize you are not yet an LPN but it will give you an idea the current market and if they hire new grads. Some receptionists don't know, some actually do. This is what I did with my first nursing job, the receptionist said they do indeed hire new grads. I applied and got the job :)

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Check your local long term care facilities and assisted living facilities... These places tend to hire student nurses and LPNs way more than hospitals most likely because it helps them keep costs down, but either way I would recommend it. I will be graduating with my RN degree in May but working as an LPN has taught me so much and really helped me tackle full case loads, time management & prioritization skills in addition to basic medication and procedures. I'm a wife and mother so I understand your situation. Good luck!

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Check your local long term care facilities and assisted living facilities... These places tend to hire student nurses and LPNs way more than hospitals most likely because it helps them keep costs down but either way I would recommend it. I will be graduating with my RN degree in May but working as an LPN has taught me so much and really helped me tackle full case loads, time management & prioritization skills in addition to basic medication and procedures. I'm a wife and mother so I understand your situation. Good luck![/quote']

Thanks everyone, and dbella for your post. I'm really looking forward to starting school soon!

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Please do not generalize. This is NOT the case - at least in acute care. Don't want to give the OP false hopes.

You're right... But, New grads are not determined on skill set. They are picked based on school they came from, poss recommendations, and how well they interview.

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Specializes in CNA, HHA, RNA,.

When someone says there are no jobs for LVN, I believe they are talking about private schools: i.e. everest, american career college.

These schools have a stigma against them (Idk why) but several friends who worked in LTC said that a lot of hospitals never touch them ( in California ) as well as LTC. Also a lot of new grads have a hard time transitioning from student to employee, they either give up or get discouraged, or return back to school for RN with the motto that there are no jobs for LVN's.

In all honesty I don't think you'll have trouble getting a job as a male, for LVN. You already work now and want to move up in rank, plus you have the interest of continuing nursing school later on. I think most LVN's that don't get jobs are just young people who don't test well in interviews and just assume the job will be given to them because they successfully completed nursing school for it. With that said, I won't lie, the job market is pretty tough, but its not empty.

I just want to make one final point and then I'm done. You still have yet to "get through LVN" which the program itself takes a year, plus who knows -when- you'll be applying. So your talking about from a year till then? Who knows. Plus after completion and testing which can rage from another 1month to 3 months, a lot can change in the job market field. A lot can change with hospitals that are currently affected by how the government is changing things with health insurance. 6 months from now politics might start passing laws that change health insurance, which might mean an increase or decrease in pt's, which might make more of a demand for nurses - etc.

Anywho from a personal point of view - there are jobs out there in so cali, I recently was hired as a cna a few months ago. With me were two brand new lvn's who never worked in their life. Starting out from scratch. And just a week ago six more new cna's are being hired to cover those going on vacations.

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There are jobs out there. I would get the LPN and then bridge to ADN. I am sure that LPN wages are a step up from what you are making now if you are in a low paying dead-end job as you say. Doctors offices, nursing homes, home health facilities, SDS centers all use LPNs. If they will hire a medical assistant then they might hire an LPN. I also know LPNs who do still work in hospitals but they are hired in as "scrub techs." One you have the license apply to anything and everything you think that you could get hired for, someone will call eventually!

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