Unemployed and frustrated new LVN graduate! Please help! What am I doing wrong?

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I graduated from an accelerated LVN program in 2007. I took the NCLEX mid 2008 and passed the first time. But since then I have been looking for an LVN job and it seems nearly impossible! I mean everybody is always saying how nurses will always have job security and everything so it must be something I'm doing wrong! It seems that everybody wants experience these days which I do not have. I do have clinical experience but only about 3 months in total. I'm so frustrated because I know that I can do a good job and I'm so eager to be a nurse but it has been so long since I got my license and have yet to find a steady job! Any advice will help me. I look on CraigsList everyday, Monster, I've applied to Kaiser, St. Jude, multiple nursing homes in my area, I've sent so many resumes I can't even count! I used to just drive around dropping off resumes to different facilities in Orange County that I come across, (that's where I live) but nobody seems to be hiring. I'm so tired of searching everywhere but the qualifications is always "minimal 1-2 years paid experience" What is going on?! Please help! I've even gone to different facilities and asked them if I could do volunteer work (like an internship type) just so I can gain more experience..But they tell me that I need to be backed by a school and that I can do regular volunteer work ( like cutting paper or cleaning bathrooms) but not actual LVN work. I'm working as a food server right now full time and I just feel like everyday I'm wasting my time when I could be out there helping people, not serving them overpriced food:crying2:

Is it my resume? Am I not going about this the right way? I'm in need of any real advice.. I'm so discouraged and anxious.HELP!

Specializes in LTC, OB/GYN, Primary Care.

I found the only responses I got when I applied for my LPN job was to dress professionally go into an establishment and hand in a resume and cover letter. I would go online and make a awesome resume print it on resume paper as well as a cover letter. If you can find a name to address the letter too do that as well. If they say they are not hiring fill out an app anyways and ask them to keep you on file. I've gotten calls months later for jobs.

The way I see it is online most site you have to pay to post an add. Most places will not waste the $$ posting an add for a new grad. They want someone specific with specific experience and qualifications. Snagging this employee is worth the bucks.

Showing initiative and professionalism goes a long way! Its not easy out there for us LPN's these days at least not on my neck of the woods. Keep at it and I'm sure you will find something!!

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I have experienced the same thing. I finished school Jan 2009 took my boards April 2009 passed the first time. After 2 years the only work I have done is working through flu clinics every year. I have been so depressed, Im a single parent with 3 kids. I thought i was making our lives better when I decided to get my LVN and now my life has went the other way, I had to move back home. Everyone wants experience and my question is if they all want experience where do they expect us to get it. I have sent 100's of resume, driven all over southern ca and nothing. I kept thinking what the hell am I doing wrong, I put on slacks, a nice shirt, heels, and resume in hand. I fill out the App the line I always hear is someone will look at it and if you meet our qualifications we will call you(which by the way never happens). I just don't know what to do. At one point I was willing to move anywhere. now I've just given up working as an LVN. I am doing the prerequisites for the RN program and hopefully when I finish and get accepted I can apply at Kaiser, they hire LVN and RN students. I'm just really glad to see its not just me. I hope and pray that once i finish the RN program I will have a better outcome.:crying2:

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Sorry to say when you finish RN school there will still not be a job waiting for you........ All of my friends including myself have sent over 200 resumes each and none of us have been offered a position.

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Really, I am planning to move out of state if I have to. I just don't know what is else to do. Nursing is all I want to do, and I really don't know what else I am good at. Its just disappointing. But thanks for the heads up.

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@commutter I see you graduated as a LVN in california and moved to Texas.

Do you know anything about the lvn market in TN?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
@commutter I see you graduated as a LVN in california and moved to Texas.

Do you know anything about the lvn market in TN?

I know nothing about the job market in TN.
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Ok. Thank you. If anyone worked as a lvn in the following positions: MDS coordinator,ADON, or Restorative nurse/quality care coordinator, please let me know. I'm interested and would like more insight. I'm just looking into different opportunities where a lvn can work outside of bedside.

Thanks

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I just finished my term one program ... one advise the teacher told me is don't go to home health right after you graduate

go to medical clinics that hires lvn.. learn get some experience then do home health

try looking into working in a medical clinic

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@somatick1989 Nice. Congrats for making it through the 1st term. That's a huge accomplishement. That is good advice your teacher told you and I'll keep that in mind. I've was told to really pick the brain of your teachers, because they can really help point a new grad to the right direction.

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