Pay for travel lpn

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Hello! I am an lpn of 20 years. I am interested in doing some travel work, but have no idea where to start. There are so many companies advertised on the internet. Right now, pay is the biggest issue. Can anyone tell me companies they have worked for and what their pay is for an lpn?

Thanks so much!

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Hi,

I worked for Cirrus a few years ago as an LPN and was making in the low 20's. I got my RN and was shocked when some companies were offering me 25! I never would work for that low rate as a RN, b/c I knew what I was making as an LPN! Anyway, with travel nursing you just really have to bargain with them to get a fair wage!

Good Luck!

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Dear mytoon38,

Thanks for your response!

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Specializes in Hospital, PDN, rehab, corrections.

My wife and I are travel LPNs with Supplemental Health Care. The worse the assignment, the better the money. Sad, but true. We are bringing in nearly 30$ per hour at the County Home- and doing our best to make a difference while we're there. A portion of the money is tax-free, (for travel, food, lodging, etc.) which helps at tax time. Our recriuter gets our schedules put right into the contract, so there's no suprises. They also give completion bonuses, cash for birthdays and nurse's week and lots of free gifts, (which get bigger with each contract). I have nothing bad to say about them.

One BIG thing to remember: In some cases it's not a nursing shortage that's causing a facility to resort to recruiting travel nurses- it's the facility. I've been in places where the evening and night shift are 50-80% agency, (nurses and aides). It can bring new challenges you might not expect.

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Tankitty,

Thanks so much for the information. I am shocked about the percentage of agency nurses in hospitals, but I imagine paying a large sum to an agency is still cheaper for them than the benefits, etc., that they would have to provide their own employees.

You said that some of the money is tax free for lodging, travel, etc. I thought they paid for our travel, etc., up front. Do you have to pay for everything then be reimbursed?

Just curious, where is the County House? You mentioned that you and your wife are trying to make a difference, that made me wonder what kind of place it is.

Thanks again for your help!

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One of my LPN friends had a pretty sweet set-up working for an agency in Milwaukee. I'm sorry I don't know the name of the agency. She worked two 16 hour shifts over the weekend with lodging and meals included and got paid $40/hr. She never had to wait for her paycheck either, because her pay was computer deposited to her account. She was always trying to talk me into going to work with her over a weekend, but with 3 kids at home I couldn't manage it.

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Valenda,

Thanks for the response. I could definately live on $40 an hour! ha.

I know what you mean about the children thing. I have wanted to do this for a couple of years. My children are now 23 and 20. As a mom, I just didn't feel I could commit to a travel job until there were on their feet.

Good luck in the future!

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