Volunteer for experience?

loriangel14, RN · Nov 18, 2014

You would not be able to get any kind of patient care/nursing experience as a voluteer.For liability reasons you would have to be hired as a nurse for that. Any volunteer experiences aren't generally counted as experience anyways.

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 18, 2014

The only way to get the experience they are looking for is to work as a nurse, not a volunteer.

mannina · Nov 19, 2014

Yeah, that's what I suspected. Oh well.

So does anyone have advice on the best LPN jobs to apply for to improve my chances of getting hired right away? Maybe I'd be more likely to get hired as a new LPN grad in LTC because of my CNA experience? I'd love to hear from someone's personal experience what the best entry point into LPN work might be?

RunBabyRN · Nov 19, 2014

ALL new grad nurses are facing challenges with this right now. You'll just have to see what's available when the time comes. Network as much as possible. Moving right after you get your license will make it that much harder, TBH. If you can get experience before you move, that'll really help.

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Nov 20, 2014

I wanted to know would it help if you're a new grad lpn with skills in specialized equipment such as EMR? Also, would it help if bilingual or offer contribute to be a company asset like if you have knowledge in creating powerpoint presentations for company's meetings over experience? #network

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Nov 20, 2014

I wanted to know would it help if you're a new grad lpn with skills in specialized equipment such as EMR? Also, would it help if bilingual or offer contribute to be a company asset like if you have knowledge in creating powerpoint presentations for company's meetings over experience? #network

The only thing that will likely help you out of your above suggestion list would be bilingual skills. THAT is usually desirable, especially in some regions of the country where there is a higher population of foreign-language speakers. Assuming you are talking about a language such as that :)

The rest doesn't do much of anything. EMR is easily taught, and you won't be hired to do power point presentations as an LPN (again, not a remarkable skill, it's easily taught/learned).

Language.....that's a much bigger selling point. Won't replace experience if you're seeking a job where they will prioritize that OVER a second language, but it sure doesn't hurt.

Good luck!

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Nov 20, 2014

Thanks RNsrWe. This may be a needle in a haystack story , but I have read on this forum of a new grad CNA getting hired in a hospital setting with no experience. It may have been because of their background in IT computers for HR to take notice. Not sure. So I do agree what you are saying that experience and skills matter a lot, but sometimes if you are a well-rounded candidate, especially in computers, you may have a shot or if you have experience in different specialized equipment like EKG's etc. I would call different places and ask them what makes a great new grad lvn get notice.

loriangel14, RN · Nov 20, 2014

I wouldn't think that computer skills wouls make a difference. you are being hired as a nurse.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Nov 20, 2014

Thanks RNsrWe. This may be a needle in a haystack story , but I have read on this forum of a new grad CNA getting hired in a hospital setting with no experience. It may have been because of their background in IT computers for HR to take notice. Not sure. So I do agree what you are saying that experience and skills matter a lot, but sometimes if you are a well-rounded candidate, especially in computers, you may have a shot or if you have experience in different specialized equipment like EKG's etc. I would call different places and ask them what makes a great new grad lvn get notice.

Well.....maybe I can clarify. But before I do, did you mean a new grad LPN (who was a CNA prior) being hired into a hospital? If that's the case, it might very well be because he/she already worked at the facility, and *most* of the time already being an employee (and a good one) will give you a leg up on hiring. If you meant a new CNA being hired.....that's not unusual, regardless of background. CNA jobs open up much more frequently than RN ones do; there's fewer and fewer LPNs in hospital settings overall, as a trend.

Now, about that computer experience :) .. The kind of computer skills you mention are not particularly desirable, as they are honestly very commonplace. Fifth graders now do PowerPoints, so....not a selling point. EMR? Easy to learn, so not a hiring edge. EKG experience is a plus, but not much....again, easy to learn.

When one thinks of a well-rounded candidate, one thinks of someone with a solid work history, a background IN the field of nursing, and good schooling. If you are looking for a job as a nurse, anything OUTSIDE of nursing itself isn't of much use. Just telling you the truth here, wouldn't want to mislead anyone into thinking that any of that will make them a more valuable candidate than the next guy.

What gets an applicant noticed over someone else? Good networking, in short. If you already are known to the staff as a smart, willing-to-learn student, that's a good thing. If you have people who work in the facility who will give you a good recommendation, can't beat that.

You mentioned bilingual skills, and THAT is a selling point. I wish my Spanish was better! :)

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Nov 20, 2014

I understand and I appreciate the kind gestures. I will keep your advice in mind :)

mannina · Nov 20, 2014

Thank you for this RNsRWe. This is the solid advice I was looking for. I think now I will try to find a way to stick around in my current state to help land that first LPN job before relocating to another state where I'll know nobody. Maybe I'll consider adding a Spanish class into the mix too. Just a thought.