[DeeDee143]

Hi all,

I just attended the annual California Licensed Vocational Nurses League for the first time. I found it surprising that this is the only League we have for LVN's in california who are fighting for our rights to ever changing laws that are out there. You guys know... CNA( california Nurses Association) with the ratio law. There were not alot of members and the president said that there organinzation doesnt represent 1% of california LVN's!!! Thats scary to me . I think we need more representation from LVN's to keep our jobs , to tell our legistlators what needs to happen, and to fight against CNA. Tell me your thoughts......

[JonesLL]

I have been and LVN in California for 16 years. Working in an acute care setting. Did not know there was an LVN league of nursing. At my hospital the RN's broke from the SEIU and went CNA. Leaving LVN's (3) of us with SEIU. They don't even know what the scope of practice is for an LVN and that it varies significantly per certification. Dropped out of the union and places my dues in a donation for Children with cardiac anomolies. I certainly would take part.

[dcoffee]

I have been an LVN for nearly 2 years, and I would be interested in anything that had to do with LVN rights!! I never heard anything about this conference, how did you hear about it? I have no plans on furthering my education to become an RN, therefore I am trying to find as many sites, magazines or associations the are specifically for LVN's. Feel free to e-mail me any news/info for LVN's!!!

[TheCommuter]

I am a California native, and that's where I completed my LVN program 2 years ago. However, I left the state soon after because of the extremely limited scope of practice for California LVNs, and the noncompetitive pay rates. A bunch of new grad LVNs are flooding the Southern California job market every three months, which is causing the pay rates to stagnate. I simply do not see how this organization could possibly help the current situation of LVNs who practice in California in any consequential way.

[DeeDee143]

Thats very intresting to know . I was thinking of relocating to Texas (dont know what part yet , maybe the outskirts of houston) but wanted to know if the job oppurtunity is greater than california?

[TheCommuter]

Originally Posted by DeeDee143

Thats very intresting to know . I was thinking of relocating to Texas (dont know what part yet , maybe the outskirts of houston) but wanted to know if the job oppurtunity is greater than california?

I'm in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Everytime I fax 10 resumes, I will receive at least 5 callbacks. I can walk into a facility off the street, and the DON is begging me to not leave because she would like to interview me. When one takes into account the cost of living here, the pay rates are rather competitive. Nursing homes pay between $18 and $22 in the big cities such as Dallas and Houston. Hospital pay rates are lower, because that's where everyone wants to work. The major drawback is that the nursing malpractice insurance premiums are expensive here, about $230 per year.

You can rent a nice 2-bedroom apartment for $600 monthly, or buy a 2,000 square foot house in a decent area for $100,000. There are no state income taxes here.

[DeeDee143]

Originally Posted by TheCommuter

I'm in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Everytime I fax 10 resumes, I will receive at least 5 callbacks. I can walk into a facility off the street, and the DON is begging me to not leave because she would like to interview me. When one takes into account the cost of living here, the pay rates are rather competitive. Nursing homes pay between $18 and $22 in the big cities such as Dallas and Houston. Hospital pay rates are lower, because that's where everyone wants to work. The major drawback is that the nursing malpractice insurance premiums are expensive here, about $230 per year.

You can rent a nice 2-bedroom apartment for $600 monthly, or buy a 2,000 square foot house in a decent area for $100,000. There are no state income taxes here.

Thanks for that advice.My fiance and I are planning to buy a house in the near future, but we know its impossible to do it in california . I can deal with $18-22 because of the cost of living.I think I might consider relocating there.Thanx again

[niteshiftlvn07]

Originally Posted by TheCommuter

I'm in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Everytime I fax 10 resumes, I will receive at least 5 callbacks. I can walk into a facility off the street, and the DON is begging me to not leave because she would like to interview me. When one takes into account the cost of living here, the pay rates are rather competitive. Nursing homes pay between $18 and $22 in the big cities such as Dallas and Houston. Hospital pay rates are lower, because that's where everyone wants to work. The major drawback is that the nursing malpractice insurance premiums are expensive here, about $230 per year.

You can rent a nice 2-bedroom apartment for $600 monthly, or buy a 2,000 square foot house in a decent area for $100,000. There are no state income taxes here.

TEXAS is a good place to work/live when you're a nurse. My aunt who lives in north california keeps asking me why I don't come to california. I plan to visit, but that's it! I've heard that run down houses in california are even expensive!! I just closed on my house last november.I've seen new home prices starting at 80k in central texas.I've read that lvn wages were higher in cali compared to texas. Do they have a state income tax in california? It would be nice to make 30+/hr,but I think it's cheaper to stay in texas.

[sassiebaz]

Originally Posted by DeeDee143

Thanks for that advice.My fiance and I are planning to buy a house in the near future, but we know its impossible to do it in california . I can deal with $18-22 because of the cost of living.I think I might consider relocating there.Thanx again

There are plenty of LPN jobs here in AZ. Few in Hospitals though. Cost of living is reasonable although the pay could be better. You can easily start around $20 an hour and maybe even $24. There are plenty of homes on the market to choose from and prices have come down a little in the past 6 months. I often think of moving back to cali. because my family is there. I do worry about a career in nursing however! Not to mention the possibilities of getting into an RN program are slim...yikes, what to do????

[DeeDee143]

Originally Posted by niteshiftlvn07

TEXAS is a good place to work/live when you're a nurse. My aunt who lives in north california keeps asking me why I don't come to california. I plan to visit, but that's it! I've heard that run down houses in california are even expensive!! I just closed on my house last november.I've seen new home prices starting at 80k in central texas.I've read that lvn wages were higher in cali compared to texas. Do they have a state income tax in california? It would be nice to make 30+/hr,but I think it's cheaper to stay in texas.

There is state income tax in california.Is there state income tax in Texas?