Flexible scheduling. High-paid per diem shifts. Autonomy. Read on to learn about the world of PRN LPN jobs in Utah.
What Kinds of LPN Jobs Are Most Common?
Utah employs 1,420 licensed practical nurses (LPNs), mainly in nursing care facilities, medical and surgical hospitals, home healthcare services, physicians’ offices, and assisted living facilities for the growing population of senior citizens. Nursing jobs in Utah are on the rise, with a bright outlook for the coming years.
The following are some of the most common work settings for LPNs.
1. Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
The United States Census Bureau shows that the US population aged 95 and older increased by almost 50 percent from 2010 to 2020, and this impressive increase in the precise population that needs nursing home care is expected to climb even more steeply. The Pew Research Center expects the centenarian population to quadruple over the next three decades.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 35 percent of LPNs work in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Since nursing homes provide long-term care, nurses get to know residents better than they do patients in a hospital, and their friendship can be crucial for residents’ wellbeing. In addition to the responsibilities in hospital settings, an LPN working in a nursing home has the challenge of welcoming new residents and helping them feel at home.
2. Hospitals
Fifteen percent of LPNs work in acute care settings. According to Becker’s Hospital Review, in recent years, licensed practical nurses have gained ground in hospitals due to a tendency to establish nursing teams that include LPNs in emergency rooms, maternity wards, and even intensive care units to ensure that registered nurses (RNs) are free to work in their highest capacities.
3. Emergency Room LPN Jobs
LPNs work in hospital and clinic emergency rooms (ERs) as patient care assistants or emergency department technicians. The ER is a fast-paced environment that requires the ability and willingness to follow orders and skill in prioritizing responsibilities. Some patients have life-threatening injuries, and nurses need to have emotional stability and resilience.
LPNs qualify to work in the emergency room in Utah, as in many other states.
Labor & Delivery LPN Jobs
In the labor and delivery unit, licensed practical nurses support the mother and family, starting with preparation for labor and ending with delivery and lactation. Among many responsibilities, LPNs promote physical comfort, check and record maternal vital signs for indications of complications, keep the delivery area clean, help with pain control using medications and breathing techniques, monitor for fetal distress, and assist in the delivery of the child.
The job continues after birth, collecting cord blood, weighing and measuring the newborn, conducting APGAR assessments, and encouraging the first breastfeeding.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) LPN Jobs
According to the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, to help deal with the RN shortage, many hospitals are hiring LPNs for the intensive care unit (ICU) as float nurses or “helping hands,” meaning that the LPN does not have a patient assignment but is available to help RN staff on the unit. In this role, the LPN may turn and reposition patients, assist with mobility, answer call lights, or perform other activities within their scope of practice. However, the RN is responsible for co-signing on all patient healthcare documentation.
In direct care, LPNs are responsible and accountable for documenting the care they provide, which is essential for adherence to the care plan and an opportunity to show their applied nursing knowledge, judgment, and skill.
Beyond direct care in hospitals and nursing homes, LPNs can also find work in other settings, such as insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, or call centers, including remote nursing jobs.
Remote Nursing Jobs in UT
The following are jobs that offer LPNs the opportunity to work remotely:
- Evaluating insurance claims: Nurses may work in the area of insurance claims. Insurance companies need nurses and their knowledge of healthcare procedures to study claims and determine whether or not the procedures are covered.
- Coordinating care: LPNs may work for healthcare facilities as care coordinators to assist in navigating interdisciplinary healthcare. The coordinator ensures well-informed and close collaboration among specialists, sends medication refills as prescribed, frequently reviews the care plan, documents progress, checks for signs or circumstances that call for assessment or changes in the medication or treatment, and alerts the physician when necessary.
- Managing cases: Case managers handle patients’ disability claims, among other responsibilities. LPNs in charge of case management coordinate with physicians, employers, and insurance companies, facilitating communication and ensuring compliance among all the parties involved. The goal is to support the coordination of treatment and funding to help the patient recover and become able to return to work or their usual life. LPNs are familiar with medical records and treatment plans that insurance adjusters do not necessarily handle knowledgeably.
Remote nursing jobs are available in Utah but are less common than traditional healthcare jobs. Because these jobs can be performed from anywhere, LPNs face labor competition not only from LPNs in Utah but also from nurses outside the state.
What Is the Average LPN Salary in Utah?
LPNs working in Utah make an annual mean wage of $57,430, typically ranging from a low of $40,730 to over $74,500. These wages are averages for employed LPNs. However, PRN or per diem licensed practical nursing jobs in Utah typically offer a higher hourly pay scale.
For a complete breakdown of LPN pay across various areas of the state, see Nursa’s Guide to LPN Salary in Utah.
How Can I Find Per Diem Nursing Jobs?
Nursa helps clinicians find PRN shifts and supports facilities in the stressful, urgent search for per diem nurses. Nursa provides the connection between LPNs, RNs, and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and healthcare facilities, helping to meet the needs of patients, nurses, and medical centers. Click on the links below to see and choose from available shifts all over Utah. To learn more about unlocking opportunities, read our article about the ban on noncompetes.
Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area
The Salt Lake City metro has the highest-paying locations in Utah, and this area employs the most LPNs. Check out some per diem jobs that catch your eye by clicking on the links below.
Salt Lake County
- Cottonwood Heights
- Herriman
- Holladay
- Kearns
- Magna
- Millcreek
- Midvale
- Murray
- Riverton
- Salt Lake City-Central City
- South Salt Lake
- Taylorsville
- West Jordan
- South Jordan
- West Valley City (aka West Valley)
Tooele County
Salt Lake and Utah Counties
Ogden-Clearfield Metropolitan Area
The Ogden-Clearfield area is the metro with the second highest pay and LPN employment. If you live in this area, look into some of the locations and PRN job postings below.
Davis County
- Bountiful
- West Bountiful
- Centerville
- Clearfield
- Clinton
- Farmington
- Hill AFB
- Kaysville
- South Weber
- Syracuse
- Woods Cross
Weber County
Box Elder County
Morgan County
Provo-Orem Metropolitan Area
Provo-Orem is another large metropolitan area encompassing Utah and Juab counties. See which location below has a per diem job for you.
Utah County
- Alpine
- American Fork
- Highland
- Lehi
- Lindon
- Mapleton
- Payson
- Pleasant Grove
- Salem
- Santaquin
- Spanish Fork
- Springville
Juab County
Logan Metropolitan Area
The Logan metropolitan area includes Cache County in Utah and Franklin County in Idaho. Delve into these links and see what you find.
Cache County
Saint George Metropolitan Area
Saint George is a smaller metropolitan area comprised of one county. However, you can find well-paid per diem nursing jobs here.
Washington County
Central Utah Non-Metropolitan Area
The less populated non-metropolitan areas of the state include Central and Eastern Utah. Central Utah offers some excellent per diem job opportunities.
Beaver County
Garfield County
Iron County
Millard County
Sanpete County
Sevier County
Wayne County
Eastern Utah Non-Metropolitan Area
The Eastern Utah non-metropolitan area also needs nurses and offers enticing, well-paid PRN jobs for you to check out.
Carbon County
Duchesne County
Emery County
San Juan County
Summit County
LPN Jobs in Other UT Locations
Find your job opportunity in these micropolitan locations.
To qualify for these job opportunities, you must complete an LPN program approved by the Utah Board of Nursing and/or hold an active nursing license valid to work in the state. You can use the Utah Board of Nursing license lookup tool or Nursys to verify your license status if you are already licensed.
The Job Hunt Made Easy
Nursa will help you navigate the growing universe of per diem LPN jobs. Click on one of the locations above or visit Nursa to learn more. Sign up as an LPN with Nursa today and help patients in need. Check out the most popular ways to stay hydrated on the job in our post about the best water bottles for nurses.
Sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses)
- United States Census Bureau: U.S. Older Population Grew From 2010 to 2020 at Fastest Rate Since 1880 to 1890
- Becker’s Hospital Review: LPNs make hospital comeback
- PracticalNursing.org: LPN Careers
- Gwinnett Colleges & Institute: Working in a Maternity Ward: An LPN’s Guide