You may be a licensed practical nurse (LPN) already or you are considering a nursing career, then becoming a travel nurse could be one option.
Traveling around the country and working in different cities and states as a nurse can be a great way to expand your knowledge and explore new locations.
In this article, I will find out more about whether LPNs can become travel nurses.
Can Licensed Practical Nurses Become Travel Nurses?
Yes, you can become a travel nurse when you are an LPN.
Travel nurses work in a variety of states and cities. Saying this, they are called to a job at short notice, so they need to have a travel bag (see also ‘Best Backpacks For Nurses‘) ready at all times.
Travel nurse jobs (see also ‘How Long Do Travel Nurses Stay In One Place?‘) provide a great opportunity for licensed practical nurses to expand their horizons, gain new experiences and take a step further in their careers.
Travel nurses are in demand, so almost any licensed nurse can apply for travel jobs (see also ‘What Is A Scab Nurse?‘).
How To Become A Travel LPN
If you want to join the travel nursing world, then you will need to fulfill a few requirements for becoming a travel nurse (see also ‘How To Become An IVF Nurse‘).
You will need either a degree in Licensed Practical Nursing or an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN).
Once you passed the NCLEX exam and obtained your nursing license, you will need to gain some clinical experience of up to 2 years.
When you have some practical experience as a working LPN, you can contact a travel nursing agency and they will provide you with the right opportunities.
Responsibilities Of A Travel LPN Job
Licensed practical nurses ensure that a patient is comfortable (see also ‘How Do Nurses Provide Comfort? Comforting Strategies Included‘) and they are also responsible for monitoring the patient’s condition.
LPNs help the patient with some typical day-to-day tasks, including dressing, toileting and bathing.
They also administer medication, insert catheters if needed and change dressings.
This is the reason why licensed practical nurses are an essential part of the healthcare system, also in the travel nursing industry.
LPNs can work in a range of locations and facilities, from hospitals and home health care to physician offices and nursing homes.
Licensed practical nurses who travel have a variety of responsibilities.
They need to monitor the patient’s health, keep track of patient records and they also consult with RNs on suitable care plans for patients.
As the role of LPNs is so versatile, they are more in demand than ever before.
Best Settings For Travel LPNs
When you become a travel LPN, then you can expect to work in a variety of settings. Here are some of the most coming travel nurse settings.
Home Health Care
Home health care is one of the most common type of healthcare setting that travel LPNs can work in.
Patients across the country require help in their homes and it’s a good idea for travel nurses to gain experience in home health care, beyond nursing homes and the traditional hospitals.
There are many great advantages with working in home health care. Travel LPNs usually control their hours, they can build stronger relationship with patients and they enjoy more flexibility.
LPNs who are working in home health care are responsible for dressing wounds (see also ‘How To Change A PICC Line Dressing‘), give injections and they monitor the patient’s health.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Skilled nursing facilities (SNF) are facilities that offer rehabilitation services and nursing for patients with injuries and disabilities.
Skilled nursing facilities are a great place for LPNs to experience a variety of treatments and tasks.
The different jobs vary every day and you will also work with different teams of other medical professionals.
Behavioral Health And Psychiatric Facilities
If you are an LPN and you want to work in behavioral health or psychiatric nursing, then you can do this by becoming a travel nurse.
Psychiatric facilities are often looking for more nurses, and this different setting gives a great insight on behavioral and psychological health issues.
When you are working as a licensed practical nurse in a mental health setting, you will distribute and administer medication, provide important emotional support to patients (see also ‘How Nurses Can Provide Emotional Support To Patients‘) and assist with counselling sessions.
This is a very specific setting for travel LPNs but also very rewarding.
Long Term Care
Long-term acute care is also great opportunity for travel nurses to learn more about a different field of healthcare.
Long term care facilities provide a space for patients who suffer from long-term critical illnesses, such as cancer.
This allows travel nurses to work with patients very closely and they can make a big different to a patient’s life.
Long-term care facilities (LTACs) are often understaffed and they have a high demand for travel nurses, including LPNs.
Correctional Setting
Another way for travel licensed practical nurses to learn more about emergency care and routine illnesses is working in correctional facilities.
Providing care to imprisoned patients as a traveling LPN helps to understand more about the psychological and sociological factors when treating incarcerated patients.
Correctional nursing is a little more unusual but worth exploring as a travel LPN as you will be able to expand your knowledge learning more about the diversity of patients.
If you are interested in working in a correctional facility or any other specific setting, then it’s a good idea to speak to your travel nursing agency.
What Is The Highest Paying State For Travel LPNs?
This changes regularly but some of the highest paying states for travel nurses and LPNs are Alaska, California and Massachusetts.
The yearly wages can vary from state to state, and also depending on the different facilities.
How Much Experience Do You Need Before Travel Nursing?
This depends on the individual travel nurse agency but typically agencies need at least one year of experience. Some agencies even require a minimum of two years.
Final Thoughts
More and more LPNs decide to gain some more experience as travel nurses.
If you plan to become a travel nurse, just make sure that you fulfill all the requirements and read as much as possible about the travel nurse lifestyle.