Licensed Practical Nurses in the District of Columbia Are in Demand
We've all experienced insecurities about how to choose the right career. Will the time and financial investment be worth it in the end? How will I find a job? Where will I work? These are questions that all of us have to grapple with at some point, and for those of you considering a career in practical nursing, it's no different. Keep reading to learn more about local travel and PRN LPN Jobs in Washington, D.C.
The truth is that licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are in demand in Washington, D.C. statistics sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that the Washington D.C. metropolitan area has one of the highest employment levels in LPNs across the country. So, once you've become licensed as a practical nurse (LPN) in Washington, D.C., you're set to use your skills and knowledge and join the medical industry as an LPN.
How Much do LPNs in the Capital Earn?
According to the BLS, the average annual salary for LPNs in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area in 2021 was $56,480, or $27.15 per hour. The national average was $51,850 for the year or $24.93.
Most LPNs pick up per diem jobs in long-term care facilities and home health care. Nevertheless, job opportunities in hospitals, surgical centers, skilled nursing facilities, physicians' offices, assisted living residences, and outpatient care centers are also potential work environments. Licensed practical nurses in D.C. work alongside registered nurses (RNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs).
How to Find LPN Jobs in Washington D.C.
Despite the demand for nurses in the D.C. metropolitan area, it behooves you to consider what type of setting you'd like to work in and what geographical location you'd prefer. We all want positive working environments, regardless of the setting, and to feel like our skills are appropriately utilized. Have you ever started a job somewhere and realized after the fact that it wasn't the right fit for you? This leads us to how exactly you can discover those answers: by working per diem.
The Perks of Per Diem Jobs in the District of Columbia
The benefits of working per diem (PRN) are many and can vary depending on your unique individual circumstances. Here's our list of benefits LPNs gain when they work PRN jobs:
1. Experience the work atmosphere culture - the typical hiring process for a staff nurse doesn't allow much opportunity to experience the facility's staff culture. Working PRN shifts will enable LPNs to work at various facilities, allowing them to see behind the scenes the type of work atmosphere that is present without agreeing to a long-term commitment, only committing to a shift at a time.
2. Decide when and where to work - working PRN jobs puts the control back in your hands. You decide which shifts to work and which shifts to pass on. There's no set weekly schedule for PRN, so you aren't required to request vacation time for an important family event or talk with your nurse supervisor to move your schedule around to accommodate your side hustle or family obligations.
3. Steer your career - do you want to work in the nursing and labor units, yet your staff job keeps you in the emergency department? Instead of waiting for a vacancy in the unit you want, pick up PRN shifts that fit your career goals to gain experience and create valuable connections that will ultimately make you a more competitive candidate when a position opens up.
4. Maximize your earning potential - PRN shifts are generally posted at a higher hourly pay rate than traditional nurse staff salaries. Moreover, you can work PRN shifts as your side hustle. Keep your job, and pick up shifts on the side, thereby growing your income.
5. It's easy - the work itself isn't easy, but finding LPN PRN jobs near you is! Nursa, the healthcare staffing app, downloads to your phone and facilitates the search and application process with ease.
How Does Nursa Work?
The Nursa app took a complicated process and streamlined it all into one app. You can start today by following these four easy steps:
- Download the Nursa app.
- Create your professional profile.
- Verify your nursing license.
- Set filters and start scrolling the PRN jobs near you.
For more information about LPNs living and working PRN shifts in our nation's capital city, check out our District of Columbia page.
