What *other* jobs are LVN's qualified for?

[RN/Mom]

hello,

i am a newly-licensed, completely inexperienced, very-frustrated, somewhat-desperate, lvn in southern california. i have been submitting applications and resumes for two months and have yet to be granted even one interview, let alone a job offer. i have received two notices that i am on a "list" of potential candidates which, so far, is my best hope for possible employment. it seems that every facility/agency i've been in contact with either wants "one or more years of experience" or is "not currently hiring lvn's."

i know that i have a good resume. i was valedictorian of my lvn graduating class, i have a 4.0 gpa in all completed pre-rn coursework, i have good references from nursing instructors and previous employers, i've been certified in iv therapy and blood withdrawal, and i have really good non-medical work experience as an office manager with the same company for 8 years. even so, i am getting nowhere...

it is getting to the point that i am simply desperate for a job... any job. and, since i have paid (er, wasted ) $30,000 on obtaining my lvn, it would be kind of nice to find a job somewhat related to what i have been trained to do. thus, i am wondering...

if an lvn can't work as an lvn, what else can an lvn do?

am i qualified to be a phlebotomist if i'm iv certified?

am i qualified to be a medical assistant?

am i qualified to work for a veterinarian (seriously)?

any other ideas or suggestions???

thank you!

[kat7ap]

I would imagine that you could work as a medical assistant and get paid that wage. You could probably also work as a patient care tech in a hospital setting, but again get paid a low wage for an LVN. Sorry you are having so much trouble. What types of places are you applying to? Or you can move to Texas, there's lots of well paid LVN jobs here

[mavlvn]

Asisted living or Long term care. Thats about it. Thats where they are utilized. Also Wound Care consultants.

[Jules A, MSN]

Have you considered Psych or correctional nursing? I'm sure a veterinarian would love to have you but they don't pay much even for RVTs with an associates degree almost identical to nursing's ADN.

Good luck.

[neygray]

If California is like the states in this area, you cannot work as a phlebotomist or medical assistant. They each have their own training and certifications and also their own board exams. Not only that, even if you could find someone to hire you as a medical assistant, you are still an LVN and ultimately, responsible as an LVN as far as the scope of practice. Veterinarians do hire nurses and train. I work with a nurse who's full time job is drawing labs, injections and assessments of the animals.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

this is not exactly true. medical assistants do not have to be certified in order to gain employment.it is strictly voluntary. she is more than qualified to work as a back office ma. the only thing is she will have to take the pay of a ma more than likely which is a lot lower than a lvn.

if california is like the states in this area, you cannot work as a phlebotomist or medical assistant. they each have their own training and certifications and also their own board exams. .

[neygray]

this is not exactly true. medical assistants do not have to be certified in order to gain employment.it is strictly voluntary. she is more than qualified to work as a back office ma. the only thing is she will have to take the pay of a ma more than likely which is a lot lower than a lvn.

exactly as i said, if it is like my surrounding states, and apparently western states aren't. in the state of nc and ga, you have to be certified as a ma to work as one. but like you, i would hate to take the pay cut. but, if there are no jobs, a pay cut is better than zero pay.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I once worked at a hospital that used LPN's as Respiratory Technicians. They assessed respiratory status, gave breathing treatments, taught incentive spirometer, etc.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

For now, I would probably consider a medical assisting position, because it can be used as experience if the words are played with carefully. Any money is better than none, and a physician would certainly benefit by having a nurse.

[lpnornot]

Have you tried agencies to get some experience for now. Dr offices, long term care, rehab centers, assisted living, camps in the summer, schools(public and private)-at least subbing for now(getting experience), VA hospitals..

Congratultions of such high grades and great refercnes etc! I'm sure you'll make and excell. Best of luck!

[prairie14, BSN, RN]

I know how you feel. I was working as a manager for 3 different departments at a food coop and I made more money there then I do now as an LPN 4yrs experience. Anyhow I am all set to do my LPN-RN online since we had a happy surprise my son and then two tragic deaths which one of whom was my mom. I had to move back to philly for 5 months to care for her until she passed. I gave up a good paying job at the time 17.00hr start but no money is worth the love and attention of being with your mother when she takes her last breath.

anyhow when I returned to WA I went back to my first job as an internal medicine nurse which I love but only pays 13.90hr, my facilitie is conected with the local hospital and I have been desprate to get a job there due to pay and experence and eveing hours. so I applied for er tech position at the hospital hopeing to get my foot inthe door but the said I was unable to work that job because I would be working below th scope of my licences, this goes for cma as well their training has more of an office bassed foccus because thats pretty much where they can only work in my town though my friends say some cmas are being given positions at the hospital but very limited. I have many friends who are CMA and I have great respect for them but LPNs have a different scope of practice and they practice under there own licens. there are things in my office that only lpns are aloud to do pulling pic lines,IV therapy etc and ther are alot of thing I was taught in my two years of schooling for my LPN that is not taught to CMAs and they don't have the same clinical experince that we do. trach care, dressing changes, pt assements, NG tube placements, cathaters you get the idea.

so after all my rambling and the last year of thinking I have decided to get as much credentials under my belt while I work towards my RN I am gatting my ACLS and BLS cert. feb only two day course, also my NRP these are all things hospitals look for I already have my I.V thearapy. but I suggest trying to get a job even if perdem for a while that pays for CME and gain as much experence as possable, make yourself known in the mean time stop by the facilities your appling to to follow upon your resume, and as my oh so wise nurseing instructor said before setting us free "you are LPN and damn good one,don't sell yourself short, you chose where you want to work and fight for what you desserve as an LPN a very noble and kind proffession."good luck and you may have some bad jobs to start but options always open up and education will just improve your chances after all life is unknown and you need to fight for what you deserve now.:redpinkhe

[Coloradogrl]

Does your school have any placement services? What about going back to the places you did clinicals at maybe they would be intersted even more so if you were a good student. Are you applying at LTC/Nursing homes or hospitals?

Good luck!