Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) & LPN Careers Across the USA

Apply Once. Get Matched to Active LVN Jobs 

Finding contract nursing jobs online can be tough. Many job boards show old listings that are already filled. You apply, but you never hear back. Imperial Locum makes things easy. Our private network focuses only on active roles. We work directly with healthcare partners to verify every open position. Our listings stay updated.

Getting started is simple:

• Apply once on our site.

• Our team reviews your profile.

• We connect you with real nursing jobs near you.

Spend less time searching and more time interviewing.

LVNs Are in Demand Across California and the USA

The need for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) continues to grow. People are living longer. More patients need regular care for chronic health conditions. As a result, healthcare facilities continually hire new staff.

California has one of the biggest healthcare systems in the country. Facilities across the state need skilled, caring LVNs right now. While demand is high in Southern California, major opportunities exist all over the United States for qualified LPNs.

Facilities look for LVNs / LPNs who provide safe, kind bedside care. They value nurses who communicate well, follow safety rules, and keep patients comfortable. Travel and contract roles also offer great flexibility. Many vocational and practical nurses now take short-term tasks in new cities to build their skills and earn top pay.

What an LVN Does Every Day

Through our medical staffing network, we match you with clinical opportunities that fit your background. While daily responsibilities vary by care setting, your core duties focus on patient care, data collection, and compliance. You can also explore our Registered Nurse job category for similar career opportunities. 

• Obtain Vital Signs & Biometrics: Measure and record physiological data, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, and pulse oximetry.

• Perform Wound Care & Dressings: Clean, irrigate, and dress localized wounds using aseptic technique while documenting tissue healing status.

• Pharmacological Administration: Safely prepare and administer oral, topical, subcutaneous, and intramuscular medications in strict accordance with physician/prescriber orders and institutional policies. (Note: Intravenous therapies and phlebotomy require separate BVNPT IV/Blood Withdrawal certification).

• Support Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Assist dependent patients with basic care, including hygiene, grooming, feeding, and safe transfers and ambulation.

• Clinical Data Collection: Observe and record changes in patient status, focusing on objective physical data and subjective patient reports.

• Escalate Critical Findings: Promptly report deviations from health baselines or acute changes in patient condition to the supervising Registered Nurse (RN) or attending physician.

• Contribute to Nursing Care Plans: Provide accurate clinical data and observations to the interdisciplinary healthcare team to help modify and maintain patient-centered care plans.

• Maintain Accurate Medical Charting: Complete real-time, compliant documentation of nursing interventions, medication administration, and clinical responses within the Electronic Health Record (EHR).

• Patient and Family Communication: Serve as a compassionate point of contact, answering basic health inquiries from loved ones within your authorized scope of practice.

• Promote Infection Control & Safety: Adhere to strict standard precautions, facility safety codes, and environmental health protocols to protect patients and staff.

Where Licensed Vocational and Practical Nurses Can Work

A great benefit of being an LVN/LPN is the variety of work settings. Each setting offers a different pace and patient focus:

Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)

SNFs offer short-term rehab and long-term care. LVNs here give hands-on care, track vital signs, and help residents recover safely after surgery or illness.

Outpatient and Ambulatory Clinics

Clinic LVNs and LPNs work in doctor offices and urgent care centers. You will greet patients, take vitals, assist with exams, and enjoy regular daytime hours.

Long-Term Care and Memory Care

In these settings, you provide steady support to elderly residents or those with dementia. You help manage their daily comfort and quality of life.

Home Health Programs

Home health nurses visit patients in their own homes. You check on health status, change dressings, give shots, and teach family members how to assist.

Rehabilitation Centers

Rehab centers help patients regain strength after a stroke, injury, or major surgery. LVNs work closely with therapists to help patients reach their physical goals.

Travel and Contract Assignments

Travel roles place you in new locations for a set time. These jobs often come with housing help and excellent pay, letting you see the country while you work.

Per Diem and PRN Shifts

Per diem shifts give you unrivaled scheduling flexibility and maximum lifestyle autonomy. Pick up extra shifts as a temporary W-2 employee when you want to boost your earnings or design a schedule that works for you.

Requirements to Apply for LVN / LPN Jobs

Healthcare facilities maintain strict compliance standards. To qualify for our vocational nursing placements, candidates generally must meet the following clinical and regulatory requirements:

• Active LVN/LPN Licensure: A valid, unencumbered license in the state of practice. California roles require an active license in good standing with the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). Please note that travel assignments require proper state-specific licensure. While states like Texas, Florida, and Ohio participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing multi-state practice, non-compact states such as California and New York require independent licensure or licensure by endorsement before onboarding.

• Life Support Certifications: Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from an American Heart Association (AHA) approved provider.

• Accredited Nursing Credentials: A diploma or certificate of completion from an accredited vocational or practical nursing program.

• Demonstrated Clinical Competency: Prior hands-on clinical experience within a skilled nursing facility, acute care hospital, or outpatient clinic environment.

• Robust Documentation Skills: Proficiency with major Electronic Health Record (EHR) platforms to ensure timely, legally compliant and accurate clinical documentation. .

• Interpersonal Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills necessary for clear shift handoffs, interdisciplinary collaboration, and empathetic patient interaction.

Why Nurses Choose Imperial Locum

The healthcare staffing landscape offers many options. Professional vocational nurses choose to partner with Imperial Locum for our transparency, reach and dedicated support:

Verified Clinical Openings 

We validate every shift and contract directly with our healthcare partners. You only invest time applying to active, unfilled LVN and LPN roles. 

Dedicated Clinical Recruiters

Work with a single point of contact who understands the scope of practice for vocational nursing. Receive transparent communication and tailored placement matches.

National Career Reach

Access diverse placement opportunities across the United States. We manage active files for local roles in California as well as travel contracts in Texas, New York, Ohio, Florida, and beyond.

Comprehensive Credentialing Support

Skip the administrative stress. Our compliance specialists expedite your background checks, state license verifications, and clinical certifications so you can get on the floor faster.

Ready to Advance Your Nursing Career?

Finding your next clinical role should be simple, not stressful. Let our team handle the logistics while you focus on patient care. You can easily apply to your next job by submitting your initial profile online today. Our compliance team will review your credentials right away and match you with active openings that fit your lifestyle and schedule.

If you have questions before you apply, feel free to contact our team directly. We are here to help you navigate licensing, pay rates, or travel assignments. Reach out to us today to speak with a dedicated healthcare recruiter and take the next step in your nursing journey.

FAQs

What is the main difference between an LVN / LPN and an RN?

LVNs and LPNs focus on essential bedside care, collecting patient information, and performing tasks such as checking vital signs and administering medications. Registered Nurses (RNs) perform advanced clinical assessments, formulate nursing diagnoses, manage comprehensive care plans, coordinate patient care, and supervise vocational/practical nursing staff and other support personnel. 

Are LVNs and LPNs the same thing?

Yes. They are the exact same role. California and Texas use the term Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Most other states use the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) title.

Can an LVN give IV medications in California?

Only if they have a special certification. To give IV meds or draw blood in California, an LVN must complete an approved course and earn an IV/Blood Withdrawal certification from the BVNPT.

Can I work as a travel LVN?

Yes! Travel LVN roles are very popular. They allow you to take short-term contracts in different cities, often with travel and housing stipends included. Just keep in mind that you must hold a valid license or state endorsement for the specific state where you intend to work, particularly when traveling to non-compact states like California and New York. 

How do I get started with Imperial Locum?

Simply submit your initial profile online. A dedicated recruiter will reach out to talk about your skills and match you with open jobs.