Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are in high demand across the healthcare industry. Their role is essential in providing patient care, they work under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) or physicians. No matter how much experience you have in healthcare, looking for a new job can be exciting and extremely challenging. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you learn new strategies to help you find the perfect LPN job.
Look at Online Job Boards
One of the fastest ways to find LPN jobs is to look at different online job boards. Job boards aggregate jobs from various healthcare facilities, which makes it an extremely convenient way to search for opportunities that match what you’re looking for. Job boards like Indeed, or even Cascade Health Services offer a large amount of LPN positions across different settings, like nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, and home health agencies.
Here are some tips to make the most of job boards:
Create a detailed profile: The biggest benefit of job boards is that they can do all of the searching for you. But, to take full advantage of that, you need to make sure that your information is accurate and up to date. This helps the job board recommend the best jobs based on what you are looking for.
Use keywords to your advantage: Using terms like “Licensed Practical Nurse” and “LPN” is a great way to find LPN jobs, but you can get even more specific in your search by adding specific specialties can improve your search even more.
Set up job alerts: Having alerts turned on for specific roles allows job boards to notify you when a position matching your criteria is posted on their website. This is great for people who are open to finding new roles but not actively searching.
Tailor your resume: Some job boards can alert you and potential employers based on your resume. It’s a good idea to have an updated resume in your profile.
Check Healthcare Facility Websites
Most healthcare facilities post their jobs on their website. This is the best way to find a job at a specific location. If you have your eyes on working for a specific company, this is a great way to learn more about current vacancies, and culture within specific organizations.
Benefits of applying directly
Applying directly to a position gives you the chance to tailor your resume a little better. When you search for LPN jobs directly on a facility’s website you get the chance to check out what they value most in patient care. Read through the company’s website and tailor your resume based on what you see.
Some companies try to hire new candidates directly on their website before they post to job boards. This helps the facility save money on their recruiting efforts and allows them access to candidates who are interested in LPN jobs within their specific company.
Use Your Network
Networking is an extremely powerful tool. When you’re searching for new LPN jobs it’s smart to talk with people you have previously worked with. They may have insights into their current company’s position or even what could be open soon. Companies love it when a good employee refers a friend to fill a role because it’s more likely that the candidates will fit it.
Attending industry conferences, joining professional organizations, and participating in online nursing communities is an easy way to connect with other LPNs and healthcare professionals. Social media is also a great way to connect with other nurses in your area and across the country. Using Facebook groups can be a lucrative way to find job opportunities in healthcare.
Joining Professional Organizations
Joining professional organizations catered to nursing can enhance your job search efforts. These organizations offer resources like job boards, career counseling, and networking events. When you join an LPN association, you can stay updated on industry trends, access continuing education opportunities, and build credibility as a professional.
Use PRN Agencies
PRN agencies are a great place to find LPN jobs. Some nurses use PRN agencies to supplement their income while searching for new positions or as their full-time jobs. But, agencies are also perfect for trying out new care settings and testing out different facilities before you apply to work there. Now, you can meet the team and ensure you’re going to be happy there before you start working.
In most cases, nurses who work for agencies make more money than staff nurses. Remember that they get paid more because they get sent to understaffed healthcare facilities. Some agencies also offer travel nursing, which can allow you to explore new areas while you try and decide what to do next. Travel nursing isn’t just for RNs; LPNs are in high demand nationwide and can make more money working through a travel nurse agency.
Use Social Media to Find LPN Jobs
We already mentioned using Facebook groups to network, but LinkedIn can also be a powerful tool in your job search. LinkedIn is a professional social media network that can connect you to healthcare professionals across the world. They have their job boards, networking groups, and recruiters who are always looking for the best talent.
When All Else Fails, Ask Google
A simple Google search for “LPN Jobs near me” can help you find more jobs than what you may find on Indeed. Google crawls countless websites every day and aggregates all of the jobs they find into their job board.
If you are looking for specific care settings, you can add additional keywords to your search for example “hospital LPN jobs” will show you jobs within hospitals instead of every LPN job available in your area.
Job searching can be difficult, and add more stress to your life, by making sure you’re prepared ahead of time by having an updated resume, job alerts, and a solid network, you can take some of the stress away when you search for new LPN jobs in healthcare.
