Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN)

If you enjoy working with people and want to help improve the quality of life of others, a career as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) might be right for you! A career as a traveling LVN or LPN can also be a great fit if you’re seeking adventure or want a more flexible career option.

TheraEx Staffing is based in California but has opportunities for LVNs or LPNs across the US. Read more about what an LVN or LPN does, how much they make, and where they work.

What Are Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Licensed vocational nurses are medical professionals who have completed a certificate or diploma program and have passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN).

Depending on the state where a person took the NCLEX-PN, they might be called a licensed vocational nurse or a licensed practical nurse.

LVNs/ LPNs are licensed by their state. If a nurse wants to work in another state, they’ll need to transfer their license to the new state.

What Does an LVN Do?

As an LVN or LPN, you provide basic medical care to patients. Usually, LVNs work under the supervision of a doctor or registered nurse (RN). Tasks you can expect to perform in an LVN job include:

• Checking patient’s blood pressure
• Changing bandages
• Keeping patients comfortable by helping them dress or bathe
• Inserting catheters
• Talking to patients about their medical concerns and reporting those concerns to doctors
• Keeping patient’s records up-to-date

Depending on the state, an LVN might be trained to administer certain types of medication or to give patients IVs. The department an LVN works in also influences the type of tasks or duties they have.

There is room for advancement for LVNs in some states. LVNs who have some experience might be allowed to take on a supervisory role, overseeing unlicensed staff members or entry-level LVNs.

Where You Work as an LVN

LVNs and LPNs work across the US, in a variety of healthcare settings. Many LVN jobs are at nursing and residential care facilities. Hospitals also employ a fair number of LVNs. Some also work at private practices or for home healthcare services.

If you like babies, you can find an LVN job in the labor and delivery department of a hospital or at a birthing center. LVNs who work in labor and delivery have more specialized tasks than those who work in more generalized settings.

As a labor and delivery LVN, you might be responsible for helping to deliver babies and for providing care for newborns, such as feeding and cleaning them.

Choose Your Hours and Work Schedule

Many LVNs work full-time, but for many, that doesn’t mean working 9 to 5. An LVN who works for a physician in private practice might work standard daytime hours, but many others don’t. 

Medical care is something that takes place around the clock, particularly in hospital settings. An LVN can work late at night or early in the morning. Some work shifts that are longer than eight hours. 

If you need a flexible schedule, working as an LVN can be ideal. You’ll be able to choose shifts at any time of day, whether you’re a lark or a night owl. Many LVNs appreciate working longer days, then having more days off to relax, spend time with their families, or pursue other interests.

Salary Benefits

The median annual salary for LVNs is above the median salary for all occupations in the US. In May 2020, the median salary was $48,820, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which works out to an hourly pay of around $24. 

Where an LVN works and how far along they are in their career influences their pay. The starting pay for an LVN will be a bit lower than the median, for example. According to the BLS, the lowest-paid LVNs earn less than $35,570 annually. The highest-paid LVNs earn more than $65,520.

LVNs who work for government agencies or nursing facilities tend to have the highest salaries while those who work for private practice physicians tend to have the lowest.

Why Should LVNs and LPNs Choose TheraEx Staffing?

Demand for LVNs and LPNs is high, especially in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Hence, there are plenty of opportunities for LVNS and LPNs across the country.

TheraEx Staffing can help you find those opportunities. We have connected nurses with reputable rehabilitation centers and hospitals for more than ten years.

If you decide to work with us, you will be paired with a recruiter who will get to know you and what you want from your career. Your recruiter will be there for you for the duration of your assignment. 

We also provide our LVNs with compensation packages above the median and customized to meet each individual’s needs.

While we specialize in travel nursing, we can also help LVNs find permanent positions if that suits them. Explore our job openings, then get started on your application today.