Is it really hard to find a job as LPN in WA?

[gaius]

hi we're just hoping to move some where in Washington state... Not just Seattle. We are terrified that we may not find a job anywhere as a LPN there. My dad is a newly grad LPN but he does do spinal and he has worked for another big hospital for 10 years before becoming a LPN. He also is trying to be a RN within a year. He would like to be in the rush of a hospital again but for now he just works at the Veterans Affair's here.

How hard is it to get a job as a LPN in WA? Is one area better than the other?

Also is this about right?

http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=Licensed+Vocational+Nurse++lvn&l1=seattle%2C+wa

[gaius]

Washington doesn't issue a 'physical license' any more.

The agency I work for part time just entered into an agreement to provide contracted staff to Peacehealth, the hiring freeze in WA was not lifted.

Wow thanks, so the 8 week process is just to enter you in the system? I called the boards and they were gaving me the impression that I had to wait for something physical. I was even told I could get a "temporary license" a week or so before my real one. Does this speed the process up or is it still like 8 weeks?

[kids]

It's not as simple as entering someone in the system.

As far as I know you might, at best, get a letter in the mail telling you the application has been processed and you have been entered in the online verification system.

Washington does issue a temporary license under a single, specific condition. The website doesn't spell it out but there is no guarantee of getting one.

Paperless licensing:

http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/Nursing/PaperlessLic.htm

Application status:

http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/hpqa/AppStatus.htm

Temp licenses:

http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/Nursing/TempPracPerm.htm

Oh, and I just saw this:

I just moved to Washington in November (Vancouver) and I've had a heck of a time finding a job.

*snipped*

Vancouver WA is 15 minutes North of Portland, OR.

Avoid the area, it never really experienced a nursing 'shortage' due to an abundance of schools. The area currently has the second highest unemployment rate in the country.

The five major hospital systems in the area do not hire LPNs for acute care, they have a strong BSN preference and all of them currently have a hiring freeze.

[gaius]

Thank you VERY much!! I would have been expecting a totally different experience if I did not come here. I hope this thread can help others in the future. I have been able to find many jobs but without a license I can't be hired. I hope this process goes by quickly so I can move to WA!

[happy&healthy]

I just moved to Washington in November (Vancouver) and

I've had a heck of a time finding a job. Finally I found a job (just finished orientation). Avail Home Health hires new grads. There aren't many cases in the Vancouver area, but in bigger areas there are more. Pay is 16 per hour for new grad lpn's.

Hope this helps!

Avail (home health) agency, paying $16/hr for new lpn's, also pays $17/hr :uhoh21: for lpn's with 20+ yrs. experience