December 5, 2023

2316 Views

How To Start Your Travel Nurse Career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Posted on December 5, 2023November 29, 2023 by Fusion Medical Staffing

Fusion Medical Staffing provided this article.

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), also known in California and Texas as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), are instrumental members of a healthcare team. Working under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) on the frontlines of patient care, LPNs, and LVNs take vital signs, administer medication, offer comfort, and educate patients and families on health conditions, ensuring that every patient receives the attention and care they deserve.

Want to make a positive impact in the lives of others? Here’s how to get your travel nursing career started as a licensed practical nurse.

How To Start Your Travel Nurse Career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

1. Complete an accredited nursing program

Unlike most nursing professions, you don’t need a college degree to become a licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse. Instead, you’ll need certification from a state-approved and accredited practical nursing program. Oftentimes, these training programs include a blend of classroom learning and hands-on clinical practice and take between one and two years to complete.

Graduating from an accredited nursing program is a critical step on the path to becoming a licensed practical nurse. Not only does it ensure you meet the rigorous standards set by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, but it also prepares you for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses, otherwise known as the NCLEX-PN, and the next step in the process of becoming an LPN.

2. Pass the NCLEX-PN and get licensed

Once you’ve completed your nursing program, it’s time to take the NCLEX-PN. This standardized exam assesses your readiness to handle different patient scenarios in a real-world setting with up to 205 questions about patient care, health promotion and maintenance, safety and infection control, pharmacological therapies, and physiological adaptation.

Passing the NCLEX-PN is a regulatory requirement across all states and sets a standard of competency for those pursuing LPN licensure. And when the National Council Licensure Examination is in your rearview mirror (and licensure is in hand), you can officially start practicing as a licensed practical nurse.

3. Gain clinical experience

You’ve completed your nursing program and passed the NCLEX-PN. Now’s your time to shine and gain one to two years of real-life experience as a licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse!

Collecting clinical experience as a licensed practical nurse will only set you up for success in your travel nursing career. Gaining experience gives you the practice you need to adapt to new settings, teams, and patient needs while allowing you to build a strong foundational skill set and a deep understanding of nursing practices to help you be successful as a travel nurse.

Plus, gaining experience as a licensed practical nurse provides a unique opportunity for you to discover your specialty areas and strengths, which can guide you in choosing the right travel nursing assignments in the future. Licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses can expect the following responsibilities in the field:

Provide basic patient care, including bathing, dressing, and feeding patients
Monitor patients’ health by checking vital signs and noting any significant changes for the registered nurse or physician.
Administer prescribed medication on time and in the correct dosage
Assist in diagnostic tests and procedures to help collect samples for testing, assist in exams, and monitor patients during and after procedures
Document patient health status and update patient records
Provide emotional support and comfort to patients and families

Before you hit the road as a travel nurse, gather first-hand exposure to various patient conditions, learn about diverse medical procedures, and understand how to interact effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals. With this experience under your belt, your problem-solving skills, decision-making abilities, and confidence will be enhanced.

4. Start travel nursing

Now that you have one to two years of nursing experience, you’re ready to start traveling as a licensed practical nurse. As a travel nurse, you’re able to explore new places, meet diverse individuals, and gain a breadth of experience in the nursing field.

With a high demand for nurses in the U.S., travel nurses can leverage their skills to travel to locations where they’re needed the most. This allows you to work in a variety of healthcare settings, from bustling city hospitals to remote rural clinics. Not only does this broaden your professional abilities, but travel nursing also enriches your personal life through new experiences and perspectives. Committed to making a positive impact in the lives of others, traveling licensed practical nurses are essential to the world of healthcare.

Whether you’ve always known you belong in healthcare or it’s a newfound love of yours, there are many advantages to travel nursing. With the chance to check out places unexplored by you, meet new people, and gain invaluable professional experience, there’s nothing quite like a career as a traveling licensed practical nurse. And there are many LPN jobs available to you that span the country. Start searching for LPN jobs now, and get your travel adventure started!

The Gypsy Nurse’s job board has many travel LPN jobs. Click here to get started on your first travel LPN job! We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 12, 2018

7456 Views

Nursing: A Healthy Back

Posted on August 12, 2018April 20, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

A nurse’s back is his/her most used tool. If you end up with an injury or a strain, it will make it almost impossible to do your job and take care of others.

We push, pull, lift, turn all day long. It’s important to maintain good back safety. Back injuries are very prevalent in the nursing field. In the latest study that I can find, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states the following:

In all industries combined, 1998 injury data shows that nearly 12 out of 100 nurses in hospitals and 17.3 out of 100 nurses working in nursing homes report work-related musculoskeletal injuries, including back injuries, which is about double the rate for all industries combined.

It’s important as a nurse to remember to take care of your back. Here are a few reminders of ways to help prevent back injuries.

Before you lift, turn, or transfer a patient, think through the task. Do you need assistance? Is there equipment that will help? Are you able to maintain both your own safety as well as the patient’s safety?
Utilize proper lifting techniques. We have all been taught safe lifting techniques; use them.
Use assistive equipment when it’s available. It may take more time, but your health and safety are worth it.
Ask for assistance from your co-workers to turn, transfer, etc. In addition to asking for assistance, be willing to assist your co-workers when they ask.
Perform regular back exercises for good back health.

When I think of an exercise routine, I immediately think that this takes out of my daily schedule. The Mayo Clinic has a quick 15 minute Back Exercises side-show that will help keep your back in shape.

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 8, 2018

18764 Views

Step #8: Submission of Your Profile

Posted on August 8, 2018July 24, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

Travel Nurse Application Submission

It’s time now to submit your travel nurse application for the agencies that you are interested in. In Step #7: How to Research Travel Nurse Companies you narrowed your preferred companies list down to three or so. Now it is time to apply for travel nurse jobs!

The Travel nurse application process is a bit different than the standard job application. You will fill out an “application” with the agency, but then to actually apply for travel nurse jobs, your recruiter will have to “submit” your profile to each job need.

YOUR PORTFOLIO

In step #6 we discussed Building your Travel Portfolio. Now it’s time to put that portfolio to work.

If you already have your profile finished it’s a quick step to simply email the completed profile to the recruiter in .pdf format or via Google Drive. Your recruiter should let you know ASAP if there is anything else they need to complete your profile and submit your travel nurse application for jobs.

EXTRA’s

Some agencies may require skills testing before allowing you to apply for travel nurse jobs. This is simply to verify your ability within your speciality. These “tests” take 20-30 minutes to complete and are usually pretty straightforward for experienced nurses.

CONFIRMATION

When the recruiter confirms that all of your paperwork is complete, they can officially start submitting your travel nurse application! By now, you have hopefully discussed where you would like to go, what type of pay you are looking for, and any other important details. Your recruiter can send over a list of jobs, and you let them know which ones you want to submit for.

Due to the fact that most travel nurses work concurrently with several agencies when searching for their next contract it is VERY important to make it clear to your recruiter(s) that they are NOT to submit your profile to any hospital without your prior approval. This is imperative to make clear to the recruiter. It can be very frustrating and appear unprofessional to receive a phone call for a job interview you are not prepared for, so just make sure your recruiter is communicating with you. Ask them to simply confirm when you are submitted, so you know to be watching for a phone call!

HOSPITAL SUBMISSION

It’s perfectly acceptable to be submitted to several hospitals at the same time. You should keep notes on which company has permission to submit you to which hospitals. Keeping track of this information makes it easy to follow-up with the correct recruiter.

TRAVEL NURSE APPLICATION EXPERT TIP

It is okay to let your recruiter know you are working with other agencies! This is to be expected, and a good recruiter will be professional about it.

You can return to the the introduction, or move forward or back using the article links below.

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 8, 2018

17473 Views

Step #14 Getting Ready for The Journey

Posted on August 8, 2018July 24, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

Congrats! If you are at this point, you have completed all the previous steps and are ready to think about leaving for your travel nurse assignment. Hopefully, you have done some research on the city where you are going and have a few ideas of what you want to do in the area. Leaving for your first assignment is always exciting and nerve-wracking, so focusing on the adventure can help ease those nerves.

10 Steps to Getting Ready for a Travel Nurse Assignment

Know what you are doing with your primary residence.

Are you renting out your home, leaving it empty, or having a friend stay there? Perhaps you rent and will be ending your lease. Knowing what you are doing with your primary residence is a very important step in the planning. Remember, there are tax implications if you are Travel Nursing and do NOT have a primary residence.

Banking

Before leaving home for work, find out what your bank allows and doesn’t when it comes to traveling is an important and often overlooked step. Does your bank operate in the area where you are going to be traveling? Do you get charged fees for transactions from another bank? These fees can add up quickly. Make sure to notify your bank that you will be traveling so they don’t put a hold on your account. Many banks will block any ‘questionable’ transactions as a safety measure for you. It’s worthwhile to make a quick phone call to the bank and let them know that you are going out of state. It is also recommended that you have a backup credit card or savings account in case of emergency with enough available balance to cover anything unexpected that might come up when you are leaving for a travel nurse assignment.

Mobile phone

When you are getting ready for a new travel nurse assignment, it might be worthwhile to check the coverage for your mobile provider in the area you are moving to. With temporary housing, you may also need to use hotspot features on your phone more often, so be sure to know what your plan covers in case you need it!

Personal Portfolio

We already discussed building and keeping a Travel Nurse Portfolio. You should make certain that you have backup copies (paper or electronic) of all of these documents.

Copies to have before leaving for your travel nurse assignment:

Birth Certificate
Social Security Card
Insurance Cards (auto, life, home, etc.)
Passport (if applicable)
Work Visa (if applicable)
Health Information/prescriptions

Mail During a Travel Nurse Assignment

When you leave home for work for an extended period, the last thing you want is your mail stacking up in the mailbox. Once you have your new temporary address, don’t forget to make arrangements for a mail forwarding service or have someone pick your mail up for you and forward it. The USPS will forward your mail for free, but there is a timeframe limitation. In addition, there are multiple mail forwarding services available for a small monthly fee. Research and find a method that works for you.

Automobile

If you’re driving to your assignment, you will need to make certain that your vehicle is safe and prepared for a long road trip. Consult with a local mechanic and have your vehicle checked, change the oil, fill the fluids, assess the belts, etc. If you are storing your vehicle, you will need to prepare it for storage. Consult with your local mechanic and find out what is necessary for your particular make/model vehicle. There are many storage facilities that will store a vehicle for a monthly fee.

Health Insurance

Before you leave for your travel nurse assignment, it is probably easiest to schedule any doctor appointments you may need in the next few months. If you are taking company insurance, you may be in a waiting period once you start your assignment. It is a good idea to look over these considerations as you are preparing to leave for your first assignment.

Medications

Make certain that you have enough refills for any required medications. Explain to your physician that you will be traveling out-of-state (give the dates) and find out if you need to obtain an additional refill prior to traveling.

Getting Ready for a Travel Nurse Assignment With Pets

Traveling with your pet can be a rewarding experience. As a pet owner, making certain that your pet is prepared for travel is an important step. Be sure to have all of your pet’s vaccines up to date and carry a record of their health in case you need it for boarding, daycare, or leasing companies.

Be aware that Hawaii has specific pet importation laws that require months of pre-planning. If you are traveling out of the country, research the country’s specific importation requirements.

Secure Valuables

It’s important to note that regardless if you are packing up your home and putting everything into storage or leaving an empty house behind, the security of your valuables needs to be addressed. Make sure that important items are stored or secured safely. Safety deposit boxes are a good place for paperwork, wills, jewelry, and smaller items. For larger items, you may consider leaving them with a trusted friend or family member or paying for an insured storage facility.

Another consideration is Travel Insurance. While this is commonly used for vacation, most travel nurses do not consider this option when traveling for a contract. Travel Insurance can not only cover your personal belongings but provide additional medical coverage for you if you are more than 100 miles (general rule, check with individual provider) away from home.

Do you have anything to add to this list? Any suggestions to make preparation smoother?

Have you joined our Travel Nurse Community?

Follow the link and join today for even more support and resources.

You can return to the introduction or move forward or back using the article links below.

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 8, 2018

60716 Views

Step #15: Packing List for Travel Nurses

Posted on August 8, 2018July 24, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

Before we get to the Travel Nurse Packing List, let’s talk about company housing.

Whether you find your own furnished housing or take company-provided housing, each space will be different in what is provided, so keep that in mind when making a travel nurse packing list. The “furnished” housing your agency arranges could be fully furnished down to the last teaspoon and towels or sparsely furnished with only the basic furniture. There is a distinct difference between “furnished” and “turn-key.”

Some companies or landlords will provide “turn-key” housing. This will generally include everything from silverware to linens as well as furniture. Other times, furnished housing means only furniture is provided–no dishes, towels, linens, or other basic small items. Once you find out what will be provided in your space, you can decide what exactly you need to pack.

Another important consideration when creating a travel nurse packing list is to think about what you might need from home if your next assignment housing is different from your first. Sometimes, travel nurses choose to ship or purchase items that they find they need along the way. Other travelers prefer to keep some basic home items on hand just in case they need them.

When putting together a travel nurse packing list, it’s easier if you put things into categories. A great idea is to have a box or plastic tote for each category to help you stay organized.

Housewares
Clothing and shoes
Uniforms, work bag, work shoes
Paperwork
Electronics
Personal Care
First Aid & Medical
Entertainment
Luxury Item
Hobbies/Activities

Travel Nurse Packing List Tips

Make a Checklist of What You Use Regularly

Know what you use on a daily or weekly basis. Can you live without it? Is there an item that can multi-function to fill the need?

Make it Feel Like Home.

Bring something that will help remind you of home. This may be photos, a favorite pair of pajamas, or some small trinket.

Organize

If you are organized, it will be simple to pack and unpack. By staying organized, you can also set limits on what you take. For example, if you have a “homewares” tote and something doesn’t fit, you have to decide what to get rid of to make the box close!

Hospital Uniform Requirements

Things like scrub colors could change with each assignment but try to keep your checklist for your work attire simple. You only need 3-4 sets of scrubs on your packing list since you will likely only be working three shifts per week!

Clothing

Slim down your wardrobe. Use multi-function clothing in a color-coordinated palette. Do you have a summer skirt that can be paired with leggings, a sweater, and boots to use in the fall? Making multiple uses of clothing items can be a huge space-saver.

Luxury Items

Don’t forget about you! Choose and take one (or two) luxury items with you. For some people, this may be a nice pillow or blanket. For others, it could be a high-end electronic or gaming system. You can’t take everything but also want to feel happy and content while on assignment!

Hobbies

If you enjoy a specific activity or a hobby that requires special equipment or supplies, pare it down to the essentials and add them to your travel nurse checklist. You will have free time and will want to enjoy some of the activities that are important to you. If you enjoy camping, you could take a pared-down camping kit when you travel on assignments. By taking these items with you, you won’t have to miss an opportunity to be involved because you don’t have your equipment with you.

Other Travel Nurse Packing List Items

Remember that you are only going to be away from home for 13 weeks (depending on the contract). Travel nurse packing doesn’t have to be daunting if you know what to pack. Pack the essentials, but don’t feel like you have to pack everything in your home.

Unless you plan to go from one contract directly to the next without going home between, you need to remember that you will have an opportunity to re-evaluate your packing at the end of a contract. If you missed something this time, take it with you the next time. If you packed something that you never used, consider leaving it at home next time.

What you take is really individual. Learning what you need and how to pack it is an art; you will learn as you go.

Do you have tips to share for the travel nurse packing guide? Is there a trick that you use to determine what to take? Share your thoughts below.

Have you joined our Travel Nurse Community?

Follow the link and join today for even more support and resources.

You can return to the introduction or move forward or back using the article links below.

By The Gypsy Nurse

December 11, 2017

18539 Views

Ask A Travel Nurse: Uniform Color Requirements

Posted on December 11, 2017January 26, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

Gypsy, I won’t be traveling for at least a year but I am making my plans now so that I can be as prepared as possible. I was wondering if any of you have to buy new uniforms at different locations? I know many hospitals are color-coded now and wondered if you end up with a closet full of different colored scrubs or if they allow you to wear your typical ones?

Kent

Thank you for reading The Gypsy Nurse. You have taken the first step on your journey to becoming A Gypsy Nurse.

Kent,
I’ve worked in two hospitals that had uniform color requirements: Teal, Blue, Purple are popular. Grey is becoming very popular in multiple places. If a hospital requires a specific color, I request that my company re-reimburse me for the cost (and have gotten it in the past). It is important to remember though, that if you ask for reimbursement for the uniforms it all comes out of the one Bill Rate.

I hope that this helps to answer your questions about uniform color requirements.

I love hearing the opinions of my readers. Your opinion could be the perfect solution for someone. Please share your thoughts below in the comments. Do you have a question for me? Fill out the Ask A Travel Nurse form and submit your questions. In addition, if you like what you’ve read here don’t forget to SHARE.

How To Start Your Travel Nurse Career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

1. Complete an accredited nursing program

2. Pass the NCLEX-PN and get licensed

3. Gain clinical experience

4. Start travel nursing

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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YOUR PORTFOLIO

EXTRA’s

CONFIRMATION

HOSPITAL SUBMISSION

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10 Steps to Getting Ready for a Travel Nurse Assignment

Know what you are doing with your primary residence.

Banking

Mobile phone

Personal Portfolio

Copies to have before leaving for your travel nurse assignment:

Mail During a Travel Nurse Assignment

Automobile

Health Insurance

Medications

Getting Ready for a Travel Nurse Assignment With Pets

Secure Valuables

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Before we get to the Travel Nurse Packing List, let’s talk about company housing.

Travel Nurse Packing List Categories:

Travel Nurse Packing List Tips

Make a Checklist of What You Use Regularly

Make it Feel Like Home.

Organize

Hospital Uniform Requirements

Clothing

Luxury Items

Hobbies

Other Travel Nurse Packing List Items

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