I'm so glad that I decided to become an LVN. It took a lot of hard work, time, and so much more. I learned so much that I can use to take better care of myself, my family, and my fellow man. I feel like a whole new person. I have a whole new outlook on life that allows me to see things for what they really are. A lot of sacrifices had to be made to become what I am today. I lost almost all my friends, my girlfriend broke up with me, I became broke and in debt, all for the sake of learning. I was told I would never be any good as an LVN, so that made me want to strive even harder to get my license. I was so proud the day I got my license. It validated everything that I had gone through in the last year.
Cut to several months later. I'm a full fledged LVN. I am IV certified. I am unemployed. I thought becoming an LVN would be a good thing. Instead, it was one big joke. There are no jobs for new grads. No facility wants to take a chance on a new grad, period. I've even tried for volunteer work, and I still don't have enough experience to be qualified to work for free. An LVN license is nice to show off to your friends for a few weeks, until you realize it means nothing. No one understands that you need years of experience to even get a job as an LVN. I look like one big huge failure since I can't get a job anywhere.
It's even worse when people keep telling me "so and so said they're hiring nurses because there's a nursing shortage, so how come you can't get a job?" It seems to amaze me how many people who have nothing to do with nursing magically think nursing jobs are falling off trees. No one takes the time to ask exactly why new grads can't get a job. Once you explain it to them, they don't believe you. Instead, you're one big idiot who thought they would get a decent career started after schooling and licensure. Well, I guess the joke's on me.
I honestly thought this would be a good springboard into a new career. I wish I was smart enough to never even sign up for school, since I just wasted a year of my life and $30,000. I want to go for my RN soon, but I still need to finish my pre-reqs before I even can apply. Even after that, it's still a 2 year waiting period at most schools to begin the RN program. I'm starting to think this is all one big scam. I love nursing, and I want nothing more than to start my career. I should have done more research before going in to school. If I knew then that I'd be broke and unemployed even after working my ass off in school and getting licensed, I would never have signed on the dotted line at all.
I know there's a recession going on, and I know the job market is very tough, but this is absolutely ridiculous. I've put out close to 300 resumes and applications, and have only gotten 2 interviews. Both of those interviews were a waste of time, since the moment I walked in the door, I wasn't "what they wanted". Apparently I need to speak more than just English and French to even get a job in this backward state, regardless of whether I am more qualified or not. I have received more letters saying to stop applying more than anything else. Most HR people I call will either not talk to me directly or even return my phone calls.
At this point, I don't even want to tell people I'm an LVN. It's embarrassing when you spent time to do a job and then not have a single job available for you to do. When people ask me if they should go into nursing, I sadly tell them "no". There are no jobs whatsoever. Becoming a nurse is one big scam, and to those who profit off of idiots like myself, my hat is off to you. May you enjoy the thousands of dollars you're making off of people who won't get a chance to use anything of what they have learned outside of their own home. Everyday I stare my new scrubs and Littman stethoscope and wonder, "Can I still return these? They haven't been used!"
My opinion is jaded for sure, but this is not uncommon amongst new grads. Being a new LVN right now is another way for saying "I'm unemployed". If you're in school for your LVN right now, see if you can still back out and get a refund. Run, don't walk, away from this license since it will get you nothing. You won't get a job because you're not an RN, and you have no experience, which means you have no chance in this field. So I'm glad I became an LVN. I finally realized how stupid I was all along. Becoming an LVN has become almost pointless. In the end, I'm the idiot who decided this was a good idea. At least I'm an idiot with a state-printed card for a job that I'll never get to do.
i'm from pa and never had a problem, i had my job before i graduated, i oriented until i passed my boards and worked at that facility for over 9 years, maybe your looking in a field that is looking for rn's? did you try ltc, i am in florida now and work closely with my don, i currently do mds/ care planning, i have taken a break from working the floor due to the birth of my daughter but i have been interviewing new grads and my don will not consider anyone unless they are dressed approperiately for an interview even if they are filling out an application, so maybe you need to look beyond your degree and step back and see how your presenting yourself, if you come accross as a strong nurse who has confidence in your skills then you should have no problem getting a job no matter what state your in!
i see in your post you graduated 9 years ago..the economy has taken a dramatic turn since then. i appreciate your post but things are different here in nj. i am very professional when i go in person to fill out applications and i am very confident and am certain i come across that way but, for you to say that we shouldnt have any problems finding a job no matter what state we're located in is unrealistic. i highly doubt the my or the op's attitude are the reason we are jobless. facilities are not hiring plain and simple.
Wow, $25,000 for a LPN program?! I mean, granted - there are a few in my area that tried to pitch that price to me, and I laughed and walked out. I found one for $5500, fully accredited with a great reputation around here.
$25k... omg... I didn't even pay that getting my RN prereqs at the community college! GEEZ... anyway.
Could you possibly work as a CNA? A bit below your level as an LPN, but it'd be better than nothing while you find an appropriate LPN to RN bridge. I heard Excelsior doesn't throw any of those BS prereqs at you and you could have your RN within 1-2 years.
Best of luck to you (and now I will have nightmares tonight)
Well, I for one, can empathize with the original poster. I've been in their place. And yes, I (along with all my classmates) spent about 25k for our LVN program. People do it for different reasons and there's not always an as "affordable" program w/in their area...let alone an RN program w/out a long wait list (part of the reason people CHOOSE to do the LVN program that costs 25-30k is that they've been on a RN program wait list for 2 years or so and don't feel like waiting any longer)....especially for those who are older and don't have years to wait for that....or it's their second degree (in my case).
Also, the original poster is I believe in California, where Excelsior's program is not accepted.....believe, I've been researching this subject for the last year or so. I would advise him to either go out of state (especially out of CA) and either go to a RN program out of state or do the Indiana State University online BSN program.....again, it DOES cost more than a community college, but you can get it all done w/out having to wait (all the prereqs for the RN program have waiting lists as well....at the community colleges around my area...I'm in CA as well).
Yeah, 25k-30k IS a lot of money to spend, but people have their reasons and not everyone is 18 years old with years to spare/wait around for a nursing spot to open up for them.
wow .. i start lvn school in jan and that is really scary to me!
one of my friends just grad and right out of school she had a job working full time in tele.. making really good money! we live in texas... maybe you should move here??? good luck to you!
I understand that not everybody is 18 and has their entire life to sit around. I am 19 years old and I don't want to sit on my community college's RN wait list for 2 years either, thanks, which is why I'm GOING to the PN program.
It's just a shame that some schools charge so much. I'm guessing California is not a good place for nurses right now, huh? Florida's booming. Wonder why...
my program for lvn is 12,000 and the lvn-rn is 15,000 soo total i will pay $27,000 so i guess its not that un heard of.. im gonna go to baptist.. its a private school which is why it is more.
You must be in California, which is suffering from masses of new LVNs with not enough jobs to go around for everyone who would like to work. If you visit the BVNPT's website of approved vocational nursing programs, there are several hundred LVN schools in Southern California alone. The end result is masses of new nurses being churned into an overly saturated job market when the demand for them simply is not there.
I am so very sorry for your job woes.
It it possible to move out of state? There are many other states that are friendly toward LPN/LVN new grads. I completed an LVN program in the Los Angeles area 4 years ago, but saw the writing on the wall with the job situation before graduation and moved out of the state. In the city where I live, a new grad LVN can get a job within 24 hours of receiving his/her license.
Such-A-DIVA
14 Posts
i see in your post you graduated 9 years ago..the economy has taken a dramatic turn since then. i appreciate your post but things are different here in nj. i am very professional when i go in person to fill out applications and i am very confident and am certain i come across that way but, for you to say that we shouldnt have any problems finding a job no matter what state we're located in is unrealistic. i highly doubt the my or the op's attitude are the reason we are jobless. facilities are not hiring plain and simple.