Best states for LVN/LPNs?

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Hello!

I currently live in California and am planning on relocating after I finish the LVN program. Although the pay is good in Cali, I would like to move to a more affordable state with many LVN job opportunities, decent school for LVN-RN program, and a low standard of living. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. :D

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in med-surg, geriatrics, adult homecare.

I would have no idea how to compare,one state to another,so,I am attemting to answer your question by telling you the staes and areas I am familar with. From my experience the Philadelphia.Pa. area has many employment oppurtunities. Also because,Pa.N.J, De. border on each other,you can really expand your employment oppurtunities. That being said, as a new LPN,just starting out with zero experience,and a raging recession on,there maybe a rocky road ahead for you. Experienced nurses,both LPNs and RNs are experiencing layoffs,and that overtime has suddenly dried up,that was readily available. This is true on my job,no one does overtime,also on my other job where I hold a prn position,and shifts were always available,this is no longer true. If I were you I would hedge all my bets,meaning seek out employment oppurtunities in Cali,along with other places I was considering moving. Do you have CNA certification. I know you want LPN work,but use your CNA to get in the door. Let a facility get to know you,and as a insider you may have more of a fast track as an insider to an LPN position. Most jobs here are in LTC,btw. Cost of living is reasonable .There is a range of neighborhoods that will accomodate your pocketbook,in and around Philadelphia.You might even make things cheaper with a roommate. Food costs have gone up everywhere but are more than within reason in the Philadelphia area. You can make it even better by buying on sale,and cooking from scratch,bypassing all those frozen,preacked and convenience foods. I practice frugality as if it was a second religion,LOL. Feel free to ask any more questions,you may also like to visit this site where youwill find lots of info about life in other parts of the country,housing,cost of living,etc. http://citydata.com

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I completed an LVN program in California in 2005, and moved to Texas 1 month after graduation. The pay for LVNs is comparable, and in many cases superior, to the wages in California. In addition, the cost of living is wonderful here.

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Specializes in LTC.

It would make sense that if you live close to a school where you can get an LPN liscense, the job opportunity might be less. I live 30 - 40 minutes west of Cleveland where there a about 3 schools fairly close. Also, in Ohio if you have are an LPN, you can not work as an STNA. Just what I have heard. Good luck wherever you go.

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Specializes in SN, LTC, REHAB, HH.
I completed an LVN program in California in 2005, and moved to Texas 1 month after graduation. The pay for LVNs is comparable, and in many cases superior, to the wages in California. In addition, the cost of living is wonderful here.

i'm looking to leave my state of mo. after i get my rn license and texas is on the top of my list. i'm glad to hear the pay is decent there been curious to know how much lpns and rn's make.

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Specializes in Corrections & Developmental Disabilities.

I am in agreement with the above posts. I have found Pennsylvania(Philadelphia area), Raleigh,NC, Dallas & Fort Worth,TX, Las Vegas,NV and Jacksonville,FL to have relatively low cost of living(much lower than California), decent wages, nice housing, varied work and growth opportunities and rich cultural and entertainment environments. My home is California but I often travel to these places to work, spend time with family and plan for the future. I would suggest getting 6 to 12 months of work experience prior to moving but even as a new graduate, you will be able to find work(make sure to get a license in the new state before you move). Have fun planning your move and much success to you in your nursing career.

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Thanks to everyone that took time to respond! :)

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I dont know how much work experience you have but I will tell you the Philly hospitals are in NO WAY hiring LPNs or RNs. They are only looking for those with BSN's and even then new grads are having a hard time. For example, I live right near Jefferson University and University Hospital and typically in the past if you went to Jeff nursing school you were pretty much guaranteed a job at Jefferson Hospital. Well thats no longer the case. Just a few months ago my aunt (who works there) was informed that they are hiring NO NEW GRADS. Any nurse that is new there has a BSN and know someone high up who works there. I say high up because my aunt and uncle work there and both my parents are alumni and couldnt get me a job. There still trying though lol. South Jersey (which is where I am from and where I attend school) is not much better. If you move to this region your most likely going to work in a nursing home or something of the sort which could be good because out here you will also need the experience to back up your credentials. Oh and you will need at least a BSN and honestly Im not stopping until I get my MSN. Its that competitive out here!

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I live in Houston and the market is touch and go. I am an LVN and I moved here April 2011 and by September 2011 I was able to secure 3 good jobs 2 of which I currently work but I have a friend who has her BSN and can't seem to find work. I think that the work is here as long as you are confident and able to sell yourself. Check out indeed.com and plug in the different cities you are considering. I hope that helps. Good luck with everything.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
I live in Houston and the market is touch and go. I am an LVN and I moved here April 2011 and by September 2011 I was able to secure 3 good jobs 2 of which I currently work but I have a friend who has her BSN and can't seem to find work. I think that the work is here as long as you are confident and able to sell yourself. Check out indeed.com and plug in the different cities you are considering. I hope that helps. Good luck with everything.

What is the pay rate for an LVN at a LTC in the Houston area? I am looking for networks

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Pay for LTC is $19-23.. hm health pays the best for LVn's here $33-38 per visit..or the best is private duty hm health where u stay at their hm for a whole shift usually 8-12hrs, $22-26/hr, but its hard to get regular work sometimes.if u work with Peds and ventilator pts. youll def hav NO problem.There are also many assisted living facilities out here, its less hectic than LTAC for $18-21..Houston is veeeery spread out so many jobs are on the out skirts of town..Most LVN's i kno that make great money hav mor than 1 job and travels all over the area. The medical center here is #1 in the nation so theyre very picky about who they employ and ive noticed it had trickled down into the LTAC arena. Here LVN are getting phased out, they dont consider u anurse here unless u hav RN..To make the best situation for yourself here get ur RN! :nurse:

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

Ga also sucks for LPN. Also depends on area most new grad make anywhere from 13-18 and experience up to 26. But that's the max. Also mostly LTC, ALF or home health. Some hospice work but not much because you can't pronounce time or death, do admissions, discharges or every 14 day assessments. I'm working on my ADN RN and hoping for a job, hospitals here all are magnet status that requires BSN and are using LPNs as techs.

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