LPN Travel Nursing


The LPN Travel Nursing opportunities are not as plentiful as those for RN or Registered Nurses.  Having said that, there are opportunities for the Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse to take travel assignments.  These assignments can be in long term care, hospitals and clinics. 

Pay is going to be in line with LPN pay or slightly higher.  Private housing, vacation, medical and travel reimbursement and some type of bonus plan are all industry standard for the LPN travel nurse.  Some agencies are very helpful with licensing too.

If you plan on being doing LPN travel nursing and you know what states you want to work in you can plan ahead and get your licenses arranged in advance.  This makes accepting assignments easy and can get you working faster.  The basic requirements for to travel as an LPN are:

  1. have a license in the state you plan to work in or

  2. have a license that is accepted by that state as part of an interstate compact

  3. be experienced in the area you plan to work in.  If you expertise is long term care it may be difficult to get job on the med-surg floor of a hospital

  4. Be current on all your required immunizations including the influenza vaccine.  Many states require the flu shot for all healthcare workers

  5. Have a current PPD

  6. You will need to have current work physical and physicians statement certifying that you are healthy and capable of performing the work required of you

  7. Pass a drug test and background check

  8. Be sure to have your resume up to date and be able to provide three references.

There are some characteristics that are helpful if you plan to be a travel LPN or LVN.

You will want to screen the agency you decide to go with carefully.  Check out some of the forum's and see which companies the nurses like best.  Not all companies have assignments in every state so you will want to be sure the company you pick can place you where you want to go.  You will also want to ensure they have world class staff who focus on you and taking of you during your assignment.  The last thing you want is to have a company that leaves you hanging while you have housing, pay or work problems.

Be sure to check the contract carefully for all contigencies.  For example, if you have to end the contract early who pays for you to get home?  Many agencies won't pay for return travel home if you end the contract early unless you insist they put it in that if you have a family emergency such as a death in the family its covered.

And of course, you will want to be sure things like overtime, extending the contract, days off, which shift (usually night shift) and even details about holidays.  The agency will probably insist that the client wants you to work holidays if your contract falls during a scheduled holiday.  If so, be sure to have something extra for you put in the contract such as getting premium pay or some type of bonus for working Christmas.

The main idea with traveling is to do your homework.  Check what the other nurses are saying, and pay attention to the details.