TECO

John--RN · Sep 12, 2011

I applied and interviewed for a place a week before I sat for my boards. I landed the job and they told me to call them as soon as I passed. I did and went to orientation a few days later. Also I just picked up second PRN position with another company.

So out of the two jobs I applied for I got both....so lets say not hard. at least 50% of my class that I know of got jobs within weeks of passing their boards.

Thanks, two semesters left before I can apply to the bridge program.

ValDonovan · Sep 12, 2011

I started applying before I took boards and no one would even talk to me. I passed boards almost a year ago and have had 3 interviews.

I finally got a temp job doing flu shot clinics and a per diem home health.

Things seem to be getting a bit more difficult. Even the NH is getting hard to get jobs with.

Most of my class mates (7/2011) haven't gotten jobs yet.

John--RN · Sep 13, 2011

I started applying before I took boards and no one would even talk to me. I passed boards almost a year ago and have had 3 interviews.
I finally got a temp job doing flu shot clinics and a per diem home health.
Things seem to be getting a bit more difficult. Even the NH is getting hard to get jobs with.
Most of my class mates (7/2011) haven't gotten jobs yet.

Home health is great especially if you are still in school doing your RN, flexible hours and can do homework while at work sometimes if your working nights. I have a couple classmates doing home health and they can eaisly put in 40- 60 hrs a week if they want to. I have classmates working in home health, long term care, dialysis clinics, doctors office, school nurse, clinical trials at a hospital and one that went right into labor and delivery but she had a connection...lol

The point is you have to be creative as an LPN, this is not directed at you Val just a statement in general that we all want to graduate and land that ER job, and that is not even realistic for a new grad RN.

Just keep working so that you are not seen as someone who's skills may be rusty or out of date. Expand your circle and apply outside of the area that TECO is chruning out LPN's and don't underestimate the power of a personal recommendation from one of your former classmates that did land a job can be.

I am working LTC and just started a Per Diem home health job and honestly I am thinking about leaving the nursing home and working one on one in home health until I finish my RN.

Good luck I hope you find what you are looking for soon.

John

magda81 · Sep 13, 2011

So, everyone has a different experience in landing their first LPN job! I guess, this can be true in any field.

I know the economy is tough for every field and I guess it is affecting the nursing field as well.

I hope ValDonovan find a position that you are looking for soon. I wish you all the best.

In this case, what is the advice that a past LPN student can give to a new LPN student?I mean beyond doing the necessary things to pass the exams, complete the program and pass the boards.

For example, I don’t have any experience in the health field; I will be depending on the clinical experience. Is it wise to maybe get a job as Nursing Assistant while in school for LPN? Is that helpful or it does not matter. I noticed that John—LPN, mentioned personal recommendation from a friend.

I have not started yet, and I have a lot of work ahead if I do get admitted in the program. I am just curious.. I need to just take it one day at a time.

Thanks again,

Chanzes MiMi · Sep 13, 2011

I had a combined 18 yrs experience as a CNA in LTC and as a Tech in hospitals, AND an EMT. It made no difference when applying as an LPN. While the patient care aspect is good to have for you to be more comfortable in the field, it doesn't count, as there's no assessment nor med passes.

~TECO grad July 2008

John--RN · Sep 13, 2011

Hey Chanzes MiMi good to see even more teco alumni here :)

Magda81, CNA is HARD work, it may give you a leg up on a candidate with similar experiance as you (none) that did not do it. At least they know you have done some patient care. Also you would be supprised how much personality plays into getting hired also. I do fully believe that being male is an advantage for me in getting hired. As you do your clinicals use it as a chance to network and make contacts where you might want to work. Any advantage you can get is a good one in the hiring process.

Also keep in mind we have two new hospitals opening here in Orlando in 2012, this is going to create a need for nurses even if it is not at those new facilities. As nurses leave other facilities to go to the new ones it is going to leave a vacuum behind that someone is going to have to fill.

magda81 · Sep 25, 2011

Thanks for the advice and all information. I will keep everything in mind especially while I do my clinical.

I have orientation on October 4, 2011; I am so excited!!!

Thanks again

:)

John--RN · Sep 25, 2011

Congrats my friend made it in too, It will be a fast paced wild ride, but put in the time to study and you will be fine, it is not something you can just get by on with minimal effort.

Pay attention to what they tell you to remember from the powerpoints as that will be on the exams for sure. If what they tell you conflicts with what the book says.....go with what they tell you as that will be the correct answer on the exam.

Congrats again !!!!

magda81 · Sep 28, 2011

Thanks...

fatima-kissimmee · Oct 2, 2011

Hi magda, congrats for the acceptance! That must be exciting.I have just applied for the full time lpn program starting jan2011. I have also done the drug test. How long did it take them to schedule the interview?

fatima-kissimmee · Oct 2, 2011

In regards to the job situation, I agree that everyone is different. I know a teco grad that graduated july2011 passed the board august2011 and is already working right now!! I personnely wouldn't discouraged .

magda81 · Oct 3, 2011

I had the interview within a week after the drug test but I don't think you should rely on that information because I did my drug test two weeks prior to the last set of interview for October 2011 class.