The first step to qualifying for LPN travel jobs is of course to become an LPN. This is an easy enough process.
To be an LPN you must:
- have graduated high school
- pass a state LPN exam, called NCLEX-PN, which is the National Council Licensure Examination — Practical Nurse
- complete a credited nursing program, which you keep renewing periodically
Becoming a Travel LPN
There are some basic steps that you can follow if you want to apply for LPN travel jobs. It is easy enough to become a travel LPN once you have your LPN qualification, and there are many benefits to working in this field.
- Apply for an LPN program – information about how to do this and where can be found online along with a list of schools in your area
- Complete your LPN certification courses – mentioned above
- Pass your state licensing examination – mentioned above
- Get nursing experience – as you will learn later in this article you will first have to have experience working as an LPN before you can apply for LPN travel jobs, so this is an essential step in the process that you simply cannot afford to omit
- Fill out an application at a travel-nursing agency – you will have to go through a travel nursing agency in order to work as a travel nurse so fill out applications at several agencies to be sure of employment
- Pass additional state licensing exams – there will be additional examination to pass in order to be a travel LPN so make sure that you are well prepared for them
- Pick an assignment – travel LPNs are allowed to pick their own assignments so once you are a travel LPN you can choose from the long list of LPN travel jobs available to you
Nature of travel LPN job assignments
LPN travel jobs usually last for about 13 weeks on average. In many cases the contract is extended, but this will only happen if both the travel LPN and her employer agree. The advantages are:
- You will be able to choose your locality and setting, so in a way it will give you the opportunity to pick and choose the best hospitals and travel the US while working
- You will work in top hospitals
- You will be eligible for fantastic compensation packages
What experience do I need to be a traveling LPN?
In many cases you will need 
to have 6 months to a year’s worth of experience working as an LPN before you can qualify for any of the many travel LPN jobs available out there. This is a minimum requirement. The more experience you have the more likely you are to qualify for LPN travel jobs. In most cases you will find it easier to qualify for LPN travel jobs if you have a specialty. If this is the case then you will have to work for a minimum of year in your specialty field before you are allowed to become a travel LPN. LPN travel nurse jobs are highly coveted by some so the requirements at some agencies are quite stringent. However, if you are eligible to apply for LPN travel jobs I think that you will find that you will have a fantastic experience. Here are some specific experience requirements for certain areas of nursing:
Orthopedics: In order to become a travel LPN in a orthopedic setting you will need to have a minimum of one year’s experience in that setting in the last three years and you will be required to present a current state license
Rehab: In order to become a travel LPN in a rehab setting you will need to have a minimum of one year’s experience in that setting in the last three years, you will be required to present a current state license, and you must have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association (AHA).
Corrections: In order to become a travel LPN in a correctional setting you will need to have a minimum of one year’s experience in that setting in the last three years, you will be required to present a current state license, and you must have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association (AHA).
Medical/surgical: In order to become a travel LPN in a medical or surgical setting you will need to have a minimum of one year’s experience in that setting in the last three years, you will be required to present a current state license, and you must have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association (AHA). With these qualifications you will also be eligible to work as a travel LPN in the intermediate medical care unit and telemetry.
Pediatrics: In order to become a travel LPN in a pediatric setting you will need to have a minimum of six months experience in that setting in the last three years, a minimum of one year’s nursing experience, you will be required to present a current state license, you will have to show appropriate Trach and Vent certification, and you must have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association (AHA).
Pediatric Home Care: In order to become a travel LPN in a pediatric home care setting you will need to have a minimum of one year’s experience in that setting in the last three years, you will be required to present a current state license, and you must have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association (AHA).
Intensive Care Unit: You must be an experienced critical care nurse to work in this setting.
Emergency Room: You must have an emergency room background to work in this setting.
Where Can a Travel LPN Work?
There are a few very specific settings in which a travel LPN may find themselves. These settings are:
- emergency room positions
- rehabilitation nursing
- roles as nurse parishioners
- obstetrics
- oncology
- psychiatry
- surgical services
- dialysis
- critical care
- radiology
Physical setting in which an LPN travel nurse can work include the following:
- nursing homes
- hospitals
- clinics
- private duty
Work Demands
If you are going to be a travel nurse you need to remember that you are going to be away from home a lot. The periods of time that you are absent may be weeks or even months depending on the assignment. This is one of the main features of LPN travel jobs. Consequently you will need to assess whether or not you are willing to be away from home so often. If you are willing to be away from home, consider the plans that you will have to make in this case.
The basic requirements for becoming a travel LPN are:
- one to three years nursing experience
- proof to work in a certain state or country
- shots
- a passport
- a valid license
- be able to work right away
- be able to adapt to new surroundings quickly
What Are The Duties of a Travel LPN?
The duties of LPNs working in LPN travel jobs are more or less the same as LPNs working anywhere else. A list of the most basic tasks expected of a travel LPN are to:
- administer injections, enemas, massages and alcohol rubs
- dress wounds
- monitor patient drug reactions and treatments
- monitor intake and output
- provide advice to family members
Perks
There are perks and benefits in any nursing job, but the perks you will get in LPN travel jobs are considered by many to be the best. The main perks that you may be eligible to receive as a travel LPN are:
- cover travel expenses
- offer health care expenses
- arrange or pay for housing
- meals
- flexible schedules
- time off when you need it
Pay
There is quite a large pay bracket when it comes to LPN travel jobs. The money that you may receive could be anything from $18 an hour to $30 an hour. The variations in pay depend on a number of factors:
- location
- experience
- skills
- demand
Travel LPN jobs pay much higher than average LPN jobs and the salary is on the increase.
Danger!
If you are hoping to get a hospital based LPN travel job then you must be warned that you may struggle to find one. This is because in general there have been less LPNs hired in hospitals, and hospitals may prefer a permanent LPN rather than a travel LPN.
Being a travel LPN is not for everyone. Not everyone has the ability to leave home for long periods of time. A lot of people prefer the security and routine-like atmosphere that comes with a permanent position in one place. If you are considering becoming a travel LPN and applying for LPN travel jobs keep these considerations in mind and be sure that you are not making a mistake.