Why is it so hard to find a job?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Passing the nclex was only half of the battle. I've been job hunting for 2 weeks and i have had ZERO success. Idk if it's cuz of my resume or if it's because i have no experience (probably both) but i went to school for this and i'm willing to do what's necessary to become a really good nurse. It doesn't help that i don't drive because it's limiting my job opportunities.

What do you recommend i do to finally get a job?

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Two weeks is NOTHING in the search for a nursing job. You are limited by lack of experience, but I think your bigger hurdle is certainly going to be that you don't drive and are bound by area facilities. Is driving a possibility for you? I'd look into getting that taken care of and I think nursing opportunities will be more available to you

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Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

I live in Ohio and when I graduated in 2008 it took me forever to get a job but it was in the middle of the worst of the recession. I know where I live at now, LTCs are desperate for LPNs, encouraging new grads to apply. I would look over your resume, the non experience shouldn't be an issue. Does the incident from when your younger show up on background checks? Also employers are more hesitant to hire those without drivers licenses so I would not mention it unless asked. I assume you plan on using public transportation? Or you could just bite the bullet and get your license. I live 10 minutes away from my PRN job and because of how the route is, very hilly and heavy traffic, no way I could walk there without it taking 2 hours.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Trach Care, Diabetes.

My advice if you have not tried, try applying to LTC/skilled nursing (aka nursing homes). You will gain some very valuable experience concerning peg-tubes, trachs, medication knowledge, wound care and even management because you usually will have to manage 3-6 CNA's that work under your license. I work in LTC because that is what I set out to do. I have a passion for the elderly. But I do think that is a great place to start. Most facilities will train a New nurse up to 3 weeks so that you feel comfortable and competent in your care.

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Specializes in home health, hospice, SNF, geriatrics.

I was luck in that the place I was working as a CNA at held a position for me an an LVN when I graduated. I currently am a new ADN graduate, and again, where I currently work as an LVN, they are holding an RN position for me as well. It takes a lot of foot work to get a job, you have to prove that they want you and you will be a positive attribute to their company. Cover letters, resume, and the after letter (after the interview) research the company and their mission statement and see if that statement is something that you can uphold, and if so bring that up in the interview. Also, make sure your references are professional ones and see if you can even get a letter of recommendation from your previous teachers from the program. All of these steps help improve your chances for hire.

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Specializes in home health, hospice, SNF, geriatrics.
My advice if you have not tried, try applying to LTC/skilled nursing (aka nursing homes). You will gain some very valuable experience concerning peg-tubes, trachs, medication knowledge, wound care and even management because you usually will have to manage 3-6 CNA's that work under your license. I work in LTC because that is what I set out to do. I have a passion for the elderly. But I do think that is a great place to start. Most facilities will train a New nurse up to 3 weeks so that you feel comfortable and competent in your care.

I second that statement. I learned so much in LTC skilled nursing. Time management and assessment skills to the max. There were not RN on the floor, just LVN so we interpreted labs called docs did it all. I value my SNF experience :) And I love the elderly too :)

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It shouldn't. All the places i've ever applied for ask me to mention any background not including a minor traffic violation, the accident was very minor and i got a ticket basically for temp permit violation and not watching where i was going. I didn't have car insurance at the time though and that's where all my problems come from. The lady i hit sued me and i didn't go to court so they suspended my license indefinitely. I need to get an sr22 and pay a $150 reinstatement fee to get my permit now. For years though while i was going to school, i wasn't working though and i got my current job to help pay the money i owed to the school to get my diploma and to pay for the nclex so i didn't make it a priority but now that i passed, i'm making it more of a priority then returning to school because if i didn't have really good friends who were willing to help me with my clinicals ( especially the ones that were hours away) i never would've graduated and i don't want to find myself in that situation again.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

1. Apply outside of the box. If you are only applying to hospitals or one certain area that will make it harder to land a job.

2. Two weeks is nothing! It might honestly take you months & millions of applications until you land a job.

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Are there nurses who work in jobs that aren't as demanding and then work at long term care and forget all the skills?

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Specializes in Hospice.
Are there nurses who work in jobs that aren't as demanding and then work at long term care and forget all the skills?

You will use all of your skills working in long term care / skilled nursing / rehab. You will start IVs, do wound care (including wound vacs) , give meds by every route, etc. You will also develop time management skills.

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