Does LPN experience count?

Published

I was an LPN for six years before becoming an RN one year ago. I am considering travel nursing and was wondering if my experience as an LPN counts. As an LPN I did long term care and Rehab nursing, as an RN I do med/surg. Is travel nursing good? Thank you in advance for any replies or advice.

Christi:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i'm not a travel nurse and don't play one on tv so i'll leave that part to someone else. short answer to the lpn thing is no. if they want an rn c 3 years' experience (for example), that's a 3 years of rn experience, not two years of lpn and one year rn.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

I would not recommend a new grad RN traveling without experience. However, LPN experience in LTC or any setting is great experience and appeals to some recruiters. I'm a LPN to RN grad and I have had nurse recruiters tell me that my experience will count for me when applying to jobs. So far as pay, some employers will offer 50cent extra per hour per year of LPN experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

it depends on the facility. some facility give 2 years lpn experience = 1 year rn experience. some don't! you already have 7 years nursing experience so i don't see a problem. good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I certainly value your LPN experience... and hope employers are smart enough to value it also.

I did some travel nursing. Found it difficult with 30 years of experience.

I think it depends on how fast you can adapt , realize you will get only enough training to use their EMR and 2-3 days orientation on the unit.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Does it count? Yes and no. LVN experience is not RN experience, so no matter how many LVN years you have under your belt, you are still a nurse with 1 year of RN experience.

However LVN experience is nursing and healthcare experience, and that in itself can be very valuable. I'm not a travel nurse, but I think it could be a big advantage for you, since you have several years of nursing experience: with both your LVN and RN experience you are likely the stronger candidate for the job than someone with just the 1 year RN experience. Yes, there are differences in the LVN and RN scopes of practice, but IMO not as many or as drastic as people seem to think they are.

Best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion