There is a lot of interest in this subject. I get emails all of the time from LVNs and LPNs who want to travel.
Here is the problem. Everything in our economy is about supply and demand. One of the things that fuels the travel nursing phenomenon’s is the shortage of RNs. It is expensive for a hospital to pay for travel nurses. They do it because they have no other alternative. there just are not enough RNs to go around.
LVNs/LPNs are generally not as hard to find locally and pay the normal pay scales. I get a lot of angry emails from them who tell me they are “just as important” and that they feel slighted because some of the same benefits of travel are not afforded them. This is not the case. It is simple that the local supply is sufficient to fill most (not all) of the demand.
So what should you do if you are an LPN and you want to travel?
1. There are occasionally travel jobs for LPNs. You must be persistent in looking for them, you will probably have to be at the top end of experience, and you should be less picky about destinations.
2. Consider becoming an RN. There are online programs that allow LPNs to take the courses at their own pace, in the leisure of their own home. One of them I know of is here. You can click on this link and get free information it. Another path may be a local community college.
That’s it for now. If you have any questions please post a comment and I will try and answer you right away.
Conrad