does working as an lpn stop the clock for rn experience?

Nurses General Nursing

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In an Rn who just accepted an lpn position in a ltac facility for the time being. Would my accepting an lpn postion sttop the clock for my Rn experience and restart the clock for my lpn experience?

If someone asks about experience,could I just say"6 years experience as a nurse"?

Would it be wise for me not tell co workers I'm also an Rn?

Ps:I have both an Rn and lpn license.

The experience as an RN may not count BUT when you go on future interviews, you may mention your experience in the lpn role and the clinical skills you became familiar with. When I worked in ltc I did a lot more clinical skills ..less as a RN in ltc because where I worked, the RN was charge nurse and there was less practice of skills. But I'm sure that varies widely by facility.

My main point is to point out to future employers that you DO have experience. Supervisors look for people who have more than what can be listed on a resume as number of years. Really emphasize to an interviewer that you are familiar with ltc environments AND that you understand the realities of being a nurse in one. As you know, time management is BIG. If I was a supervisor, I would hire a RN that had LPN experience over an RN that had nothing.

What's always worked in my favor at interviews is that I make sure the new supervisor knows that I worked as a CNA, LPN, and RN. By the time I was an RN I was very familiar with ltc. I returned to nursing after a ten year leave, and was offered a job as a nurse service coordinator for an insurance company because I pointed out the SKILLS I had learned along the way..not how many IV's I started but my familiarity with ltc (and later hospice and home care_. Remember that supervisors are also looking for candidates who possess the very same KEYWORD characteristics they use on their job posting. Think in terms of time management, problem solving, excellent communication, independent but works great in team situations.

I'd also suggest practicing interview questions..there are some standard questions you will probably be asked to see how you would respond in various situations. You can ask questions of the supervisor as well, if you ask intelligent questions it shows interest in the job.

Resumes come in by the handfuls so your interview is where you can sell yourself. Networking helps. Or when all else fails, ask the universe for what you need :nurse:

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Based on the sample resume you provided-- I really don't think an interviewer would hold it against you or think you weren't RN material. With so many new and newer grads not finding jobs in this current economic climate, it shouldn't be hard to understand.

I just really hope the economy bounces back enough so you can get that job as an RN. It must be so disappointing at this time, let's all hope "this too shall pass". :nurse:

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You were lucky to get that job as it is. LTC facilities are not hiring in my area and the home health well is just about dry. I would emphasize "nursing" experience during future interviews and have some strong answers prepared for anyone who chooses to criticize your decision to take an LPN job. The best one I can think of is "Better an employed LPN, than an unemployed RN" with a straight look on your face as if you mean business and you are not making a joke out of it. Good luck with the new job.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I confused people.

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the position listed they were looking for an lpn. since i have both licenses,i applied using the lpn license.

let me say this again....you do not have both licenses!! you have an rn license...the lpn is null and void once you pass the nclex-rn and become a registered nurse. any work you do....any mistakes you make....they go against your rn. if you lose your rn license d/t bon issues, that won't mean you have your lpn to fall back on....your lpn is no longer valid!!!!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Translation: scene from a movie not psychotic break, lol.

When I started in Home Health in 2004, very few people wanted to do home health, so it felt like sort of an outpost in the back 40. Oops another metaphor! I mean agencies aggressively competed for nurses, there were constant staff shortages, and they hounded us night and day to work overtime. As in sporificely populated.

Things went along that way until approx. 6-9 months ago. Before the massive imbalance of nurses to jobs. There started to be a gradual uptick in people seeking work in HH, and it continues to accelerate rapidly. What may have been at the bottom of the totem pole for some are now clamoring for fewer and fewer jobs. Now it feels very crowded compared to before. But since no one understands what the h I was trying to say, I shall now dispatch the post.

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The current job market has is a greater supply than demand and new grads will resort to survivor jobs, or in your case, since you are an experienced LPN, you will work as a nurse. Consider yourself lucky because some new grads will have to work in non-nursing jobs just to survive. However, to prevent your RN from becoming stale, continue to apply for RN positions, hopefully you will not need to work as a LPN for more than a year, as working longer, may impact your resume.

dishes

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I'd work as an LPN/LVN in a heartbeat if it meant I could get a job and needed one. LPN's supervise the CNA's, so supervision is part of the experience. Skills improve by working as an LPN. RN role? Bedside care, bedbaths, it is all done by the RN in primary care. Any RN worth her salt knows the experience gained by LPN's is valuable. I wouldn't want to work for an employer who discounted the fact that i worked as an LPN. Hey, a job is a job and I've met plenty of my RN sisters whom were LPN's before becoming RN's, and they were the most excellent crew. A nurse working in any capacity is gaining knowledge of her craft.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

one thing to remember here you cant identify yourself as a lvn/pn if you are not one ...just because you are working in a lvn position you are still a rn and held to those standards but if you don't hold that license then it is illegal to cal yourself a lvn/pn....even though the position is usually covered by a lvn there are plenty of rn's work as charge nurses in ltc ...you need to identify yourself as a rn on your resumes because you will be working in that capacity believe me....lvn/pn's don't do everything in ltc there is something that will require a rn....

i understand that,but i wanted to know if that could damage ny resume.

for instance:

2/2004 -3/2008

workes as lpn at this ltc facility

3/2008-5/2010

worked at p. home health agency as an rn

5/2010-5/2012

worked as lpn at this ltac facility

i think it would raise eyebrows,i'm not sure. maybe it could signal to future employers i wasn't ready for the rn role?

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one thing to remember here you cant identify yourself as a lvn/pn if you are not one ...just because you are working in a lvn position you are still a rn and held to those standards but if you don't hold that license then it is illegal to cal yourself a lvn/pn....even though the position is usually covered by a lvn there are plenty of rn's work as charge nurses in ltc ...you need to identify yourself as a rn on your resumes because you will be working in that capacity believe me....lvn/pn's don't do everything in ltc there is something that will require a rn....

but the problem is i do hold an active lpn license and active rn license from nc. there is a charge nurse there who is an lpn and has been there for years,so i don't think it will be wise for me to identify myself as an rn when i was hired as an lpn.

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But *you* don't understand....you are still an RN. According to the Board of Nursing, and in any legal issues, you will be held to an RN standard.

Basically, your facility just hired an RN at LPN wages. I'd keep looking for jobs, if I were you. You will never advance to an RN position in this facility, because they have too good of a deal going.

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But the problem is I do hold an active lpn license and active rn license from Nc. There is a charge nurse there who is an lpn and has been there for years,so I don't think it will be wise for me to identify myself as an rn when I was hired as an lpn.

Maybe you should call the NC BON and clarify having two licenses with them.

My understanding is that once you become an RN you can no longer

have an LPN license.

I would clarify it with the BON before you get into legal trouble.

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