how is sthe job market like for LVN in Bay area?

U.S.A. California

Published

Hi I am currently living in Colorado

The wait list here in Colorado is ridiculously LONG... it is 2+1/2 years for my school... :uhoh3: So, I am moving to smaller town and starting the program next August..:bowingpur hopefully it works out good..

I was thinking it might be a good idea to become an LPN (LVN) first since I want to settle down in Cali eventually. I am also considering how hard it will be to get a job as a new grad from another state, I think I might as well move to Cali after becoming LVN then working a little, saving up some money then going for LVN-RN program as an in-state-resident??

Is it really hard to get a job as an LVN in Bay Area?? (My bf is living in bay area) when I look up the internet it says the average salary is $28/hr for an LVN..is that true? I am a CNA now and expect to work in a nursing home if I can't work in a hospital... :banghead:

Thank you for reading :)

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Specializes in LTC/geriatric.

hi eve-

where will you be living? i'm in santa rosa (north bay), working in long-term care. if you're headed this way i can give you some tips.

peace :monkeydance:

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wow, surprisingly, this is the question i'm asking. i got my whole family in sacramento, bay area, and my parents laying low in modesto, ca. so, my intentions is moving to pleasanton, ca. in less than 2 years (from connecticut). i can use the bart to travel to the bay area. im an lpn (lvn there), currently taking prereqs for rn program.

also the pay rate for lvn?

your response is greatly appreciated!

kal

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I never saw $28/hour as an LVN in the Bay area. And when I could no longer support myself there due to lack of employment, I moved away. I would guess that I am not the only LVN, or RN for that matter, who had to move away from the city by the Bay in order to get a job. If you do come out, of course, I give you best wishes in being able to support yourself. ;)

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i never saw $28/hour as an lvn in the bay area. and when i could no longer support myself there due to lack of employment, i moved away. i would guess that i am not the only lvn, or rn for that matter, who had to move away from the city by the bay in order to get a job. if you do come out, of course, i give you best wishes in being able to support yourself. ;)

thanks for responding. i doubt that my rate would be as good here then it may be there, so i don't have any high expectations. if not the bay area i could live between modesto and bay, maybe stockton. i told my family that i don't want to live in the same area as either one, i prefer to live in the middle. the driving is just too long. living in the middle would be equal distance to relatives. i went on a trip last week so i was able to scout the areas. it took me from keyes, ca. (modesto area, my parents) an hour to get to sacramento, my in-laws, then an hour to concord (siblings). last week monday, it was raining, thanks to gps i was able to drive safely at night.

does hospitals there hire lvn's?

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If you have the experience, you'll be a shoe-in at the hospitals. I'm here in Southern California and having difficulty due to lack of experience. ;_;

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Telemetry, Mom Baby, Hospice, Rehab, LTC.

Yes it is possible that an LVN can make $28/hr in the Bay Area (without registry). I make more than $28 per hour as a charge nurse in LTC. However, the jobs out here are VERY limited and scarce for LVNs even in skilled nursing and convalescent. The only positions that are available, if any, are on-calls. We have at least 5 LVN applicants applying to our facility every week. Good luck with your plans!! :nuke:

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Specializes in LTC.

bsn2b09,

What city do you work in? I'm also in the Bay Area and I'm starting to freak out over a lack of job opportunities. I'm thinking I may need to relocate out of state.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Telemetry, Mom Baby, Hospice, Rehab, LTC.

Sensoria17,

I currently live in Fremont, but I bounce around from Hayward, San Leandro, and Castro Valley. I am really thinking of relocating also when I get my RN license, unfortunately I had to put my schooling on hold for a while. I know a few new grads who are in tears because they can't find employment right now. There is no nursing shortage here, for sure!

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None of the hospitals that I am aware of are hiring LVNs any longer in the Bay Area. Nursing homes will not be an issue, but getting hired in a hospital is not going to happen. It is even tight for new grad RNs to get hired in the hospital setting.

You just do not see LVNs much any longer in the Bay Area hospitals unless they have been there for years and years; none that have been hired recently.

It is different in different parts of the state.

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I'm graduating with my BSN in less than a month, and I'm very concerned about the lack of opportunities for nurses in the Bay Area. We had two recruiters from Kaiser in class today, and they confirmed that Kaiser is drastically cutting back their new grad recruiting, and is considering layoffs in Norcal.

I think the wolf is at the door for nurses in norcal :(

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The wolf has been walking around the house and looking in the windows for years in Norcal. Be prepared to look for work for up to a year and for the possibility of having to move away from the area. If you haven't approached the unit managers about openings at your clinical sites by now, do so without delay. Not only do new grads have to be proactive in Norcal, they must be persistent and resilient. If the job isn't there for you, then you must go to the job. Good luck to all those looking or about to start looking.

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