New LPN moving to CA (Concerned!)

suzanne4, RN · Feb 23, 2007

Many hospitals are phasing out the LVN. Especially with the ratio laws that are in effect and will be extended even more so next year.

You do not transfer a license, you will be endorsing it. You will still maintain your FL license until it expires, if you do not renew it.

The nursing shortage is definitely not critical in all areas, and especially the Bay Area. It is the highest paying area in the country, and therefore there is not really a shortage in that area.

Not all areas of the country have a shortage. Not all states have a shortage.

suzanne4, RN · Feb 23, 2007

Agencies want at least a year of experience and for good reason. As an agency nurse, you will be sent to a facility to fill an open shift. Meaning that you will get minimal orientation and will be expected to be able to function on your own without any real guidance needed. Definitely do not suggest a newbie do that, and especially since you have no experience in the area that you wish to work in. You will need orientation for that, and agencies are not the way to go for that.

Sheri257 · Feb 23, 2007

Last and most importantly SCHOOL... I am looking for a bridge program and it does not seem easy! Things are much different in CA than in FLA! I think the 30 credit degree is cute, but not for me. I dont want restrictions with my license. Whats with this lottery thing? Is it everywhere in CA? and is it for the RN programs only, or is there such a demand that the bridge programs are like that too. In FLA, I would only need a couple more pre-reqs and i know they will be a little varried in CA so a conselor would have to be involved, but man... am i gonna have to wait forever to get in? I wanted to do Excelsior (online) before i decided on moving to CA and am glad i didn't cause CA seems to be the only state in the country that doesn't accept it!

If you're an LVN, you may not have to wait to get in. At my CC (and I believe others) you could take the LVN challenge exams, which are basically the first and second semester final exams, to skip the first year of nursing school and go straight to third semester.

However, I believe you have to also take all of the pre-reqs required (if you haven't already) and also, an LVN-RN transition course. Also ... while most of the LVN's in my class had no trouble passing the first semester challenge exam, only two were able to pass the second exam and go straight to third semester.

Nevertheless, it was great way for them to beat the waiting list since the back log is mostly getting into first semester so ... if you can pass at least one of the challenge exams, it will still save you a lot of time.

:typing

Woodenpug, BSN · Feb 23, 2007

I think you may be better off going lvn to bsn. The lottery system is mostly only found in adn programs.

Transfer your CNA to California. After an average of six months, you will be able to apply to any open lvn position. That is, it will be easier to get a job as an experienced CNA.

Hospitals are currently decreasing the number of LVN's, but this is a cyclic thing. It's just now approaching the nadir for LVN's in the bay area. In about 5 years the demand for LVN's will again be high.

Agencys will not hire someone who does not have 1 year acute care experience. This is true for home health agencies as well as those staffing hospitals.

Specialk79 · Feb 23, 2007

I think you may be better off going lvn to bsn. The lottery system is mostly only found in adn programs.
Transfer your CNA to California. After an average of six months, you will be able to apply to any open lvn position. That is, it will be easier to get a job as an experienced CNA.
Hospitals are currently decreasing the number of LVN's, but this is a cyclic thing. It's just now approaching the nadir for LVN's in the bay area. In about 5 years the demand for LVN's will again be high.
Agencys will not hire someone who does not have 1 year acute care experience. This is true for home health agencies as well as those staffing hospitals.

I am not a CNA anymore, I am an LPN. I let my CNA expire because I passed my NCLEX. I have been working as an LPN here in miami in MRI/Nuclear medicine for the past 4 months (starting IV's, Foley's, strait caths, workups, meds, ect...) I understand the logic of working your way up the ladder in a facility helping the cause (as that is what i did here at Miami Childrens Hospital), but I did my 7 years as a CNA and I have moved on in my career and have no intention of taking a steps backwards. I worked hard for my LPN at a very compettitive school and graduated third in my class. There has to be someone willing to work with a new(er) LPN with lots of hospital experience as a CNA. I have worked everywhere from the ER to ICU and inbetween. Many agencies here in Florida hire new LPNs and have them apprentice with an RN for a couple weeks before letting them out on their own. I am very confident in my abilities as a nurse and pick up things very fast. Every nurse has to start somewhere. And I'm sure some facilities realize that.

Specialk79 · Feb 23, 2007

I think you may be better off going lvn to bsn. The lottery system is mostly only found in adn programs.
Transfer your CNA to California. After an average of six months, you will be able to apply to any open lvn position. That is, it will be easier to get a job as an experienced CNA.
Hospitals are currently decreasing the number of LVN's, but this is a cyclic thing. It's just now approaching the nadir for LVN's in the bay area. In about 5 years the demand for LVN's will again be high.
Agencys will not hire someone who does not have 1 year acute care experience. This is true for home health agencies as well as those staffing hospitals.

When I move i am going to look at every available option for me. I want to start school as soon as I can. Here in Florida the transition is a year, but if it takes longer (as in an LVN to BSN) then thats cool. I was just curious as to this lottery thing. I have been told though that the lottery is more for the new students applying into RN programs, due to the increasing numbers, not as much for the bridge, as there are far less students going that route. But again I am unsure since I can only speak for what i know is the case here in Florida. I went the LPN route here to avoid the wait into an RN program because the transition here is a breeze and would have been much faster than waiting to get into the RN program. I just hope it is easier where i am going. Thanks again...

-K-

Woodenpug, BSN · Feb 23, 2007

No offense intended, it was just an idea. The job market for hospital lvn's in the sf bay area is not very good at this time. If I wanted to work at another hospital, I would reinstate my CNA. And I have almost 20 years experience.

I have noticed several MA/LVN positions in the county health department. Doing MA work is kinda like working as an LVN.

Outside the bay area, things are better all around. I've been told that some schools are not even impacted. They are able to place all qualified applicants. I chose to go the BSN route because placement is based on merit vs. a lottery system. And I'm too old to go LVN to ADN to BSN.

Good luck in all your endeavors.

cd_y · Feb 25, 2007

No offense intended, it was just an idea. The job market for hospital lvn's in the sf bay area is not very good at this time. If I wanted to work at another hospital, I would reinstate my CNA. And I have almost 20 years experience.
I have noticed several MA/LVN positions in the county health department. Doing MA work is kinda like working as an LVN.
Outside the bay area, things are better all around. I've been told that some schools are not even impacted. They are able to place all qualified applicants. I chose to go the BSN route because placement is based on merit vs. a lottery system. And I'm too old to go LVN to ADN to BSN.
Good luck in all your endeavors.

Check out the VA Medical Center! Great job, they'll help pay for your education and it rocks to work here. Look at usajobs.gov for your area.

cd_y · Feb 25, 2007

:smilecoffeecup:

No offense intended, it was just an idea. The job market for hospital lvn's in the sf bay area is not very good at this time. If I wanted to work at another hospital, I would reinstate my CNA. And I have almost 20 years experience.
I have noticed several MA/LVN positions in the county health department. Doing MA work is kinda like working as an LVN.
Outside the bay area, things are better all around. I've been told that some schools are not even impacted. They are able to place all qualified applicants. I chose to go the BSN route because placement is based on merit vs. a lottery system. And I'm too old to go LVN to ADN to BSN.
Good luck in all your endeavors.

Check out the VA Medical Center! Great job, they'll help pay for your education and it rocks to work here. Look at usajobs.gov for your area.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2007

What hospital will you be working in San Jose? Morgan Hill doesn't have a hospital but it did a few years back. It used to be called Saint Louise Hospital, and down in Gilroy there was South Valley Hospital...which had its name changed to Saint Louise Regional Hospital....From what I hear (don't know for a fact) hospitals in the Bay Area generally don't hire LVN's...Hazel Hawkins Hospital down in Hollister does hire hospitals and also I believe Natividad Medical down in Salinas does too, but it's a drive from Morgan Hill....Good Luck

billieleeyang · Mar 13, 2012

Depending where in Ca. Hospice particularly San Diego Hospice is a great place for lpn's/lvn's also if moving to south San Diego I could refer you to a really really good lpn job...