How do you obtain work experience, if no one will give you a job opportunity as an LPN? I am in the process of relocating to another state in hopes of finding better opportunities.

it is def hard out there regardless of if you are a pn or rn...the best thing that i did what when i first passed my boards was i hit the ground running literally...i applied for many jobs on the computer but i didnt feel it was getting me anywhere so i called every nursing home\ assisted living  asked them if there were currently hiring lpns and if they said yes even for just prn i got dressed business appropriate had a stack of resumes (mines pink but thats my personal preference) and went in and applied. i got my first nursing job 3 weeks after i passed boards. new grad jobs are out there it may not be the shift you want at first or the amount of money you want at first but even a prn position gets your foot in the door somewhere I have been working now for 6 months and it feels great i have the shift i want now i make good money and im full time. im very happy with the way i did it. i worked literally every shift and still pick up other shifts but its nice i learned every shift and as a new grad its nice to work 1st or 2nd at first bc support staff is there and you can ask questions. I work 12 hr nights and love it!! good luck with your search keep us posted

heather

 Good luck, shuni, I hope you find something soon! I graduate next month from an RN program, but the competition out there for jobs right now is stiff. I've been trying to network all along while in school in the hopes that I might possibly have something lined up right after passing boards. 

It's hard as a new graduate, because a lot of nursing jobs want prospective employees to have at least 1 year experience, but how do you get that experience without getting hired, ya know? It's a catch 22. LOL  But I feel confident that I will find something soon after I graduate, hopefully before. It might take a month or two, and I may have to accept a job or shift that I don't really want, but that's okay...it will get my foot in the door. 

I also have been using the tried and true methods when applying or sending in resumes. If you know where you want to work, get the names of the contacts who do the hiring or interviewing. Always send a cover letter, and tailor your resume to the specific job that you are applying for. Follow up with calls or emails to show that you're really interested. And always, always be polite and enthusiastic. If you can get an interview, it helps to research the company and show 'em what you know, too. Like the job I'm trying for right now...their hospital is a magnet hospital, I know how many beds are on that unit, the hospital's mission statement, etc. You'd be surprised how much that helps when you show them you've done your research and are interested in them. 

HerbalNurse mentioned volunteering too, just to get your foot in the door. I've heard some nurses say that's helped them get a job. Another thing I've done is to show prospective employers any exceptional school work that I may have done. Like in a portfolio...since I don't have experience as a nursing employee (just as a student), that's all I have to show them. But it can give them an idea of what your skills are and what kind of nurse you would be while working for them. 

I wish you well in your job hunt and truly hope you are able to get something soon! =)

Excellent advice above.  I was going to write something along those lines, but it was already said.  Volunteer at the hospital, clinic, Red Cross.  This will give you experiance and contacts.  Also, go to any open in-services at the hospital and rub elbows with the nurses there.  As I had said in a different post, write an unsolicited inquiry to some of the DON's and nurse supervisors and ask them for their advice.  It will show that you are willing to get out there and meet people.   An example of this is my son.  He has a 2 Asssociate degrees and a BS in Management, but cannot find work.  He will be volunteering to drive a handicap bus in the area.  He will meet people along the way and I told him that some of those people may have sons and daughters in positions that can hire people.  Again, do not depend job openings.  If you do, you are going to prolong the process.