California LVN Question

caliotter3 · Nov 4, 2008

You may find it a little difficult to find that kind of salary unless you go to some LTC facilities. I heard of one that had salaries from $20-$25 an hour for LVNs. Hospital jobs are not as plentiful as more of them get rid of LVNs from their staff. Look in the employment sites and you will see that UCLA and USC don't offer high salaries. Home health only pays from $17-$22 generally. You will find most LVNs in LTC or home health. It takes a good deal of effort to find jobs elsewhere, especially good paying jobs. Precisely why so many go for RN licenses. Much more opportunity for work.

Noticed you are in the Bay area. Salaries are higher there but be prepared for quite an experience just trying to find a job. The jobs just aren't available in the Bay area. Many have to leave in order to find work. Good luck.

02nurse · Nov 7, 2008

Hello I noticed your post. Im an LVN that is moving to the San jose area. I was wondering if you could let me what you have found out in wages for that area? I thought lvn pay were about $22-27 an hour? Is this true? Im an lvn with 6 mo experience. Thanks for any help you may have for me.

caliotter3 · Nov 7, 2008

In the San Jose area my rate of pay ranged from a low of $17 an hour to a high of $26 an hour. The $26/hr was only for a short while doing flu shot clinics. After the first year, that particular company dropped their pay rate to $24/hr. One employer paid me $22 an hour, one $17.50/hr, one $18.25/hr, and another $23/hr. These positions were all in home health except for the stint doing flu shots. I never paid much attention to rates for hospital work as I was never interested in it and LVNs don't get many of these positions in SJ. Don't recall them advertising their rates, except for one ad for $20 or $22/hr, but you had to drive to Gilroy. HTH

02nurse · Nov 8, 2008

Hello and thanks so much for the reply. Wow 17hr!! I thought the low rate was much higher for Sj. Thats what i get paid in so. cal. I hope i can find that $26hr job. Housing up there is cray!

Thanks again.

pink2blue1 · Nov 12, 2008

I'm and LVN in ventura County. I have been working just less than 2 years and my rate is $23.36 per hour. I started at 18.50 but because of the Union, we are all being increased until we are "competitive" Apparently the LVN's at my hospital were so under paid we have all qualified for 10% increases the past 2 years. Plus, another 1.5% on our anniversary date LOL! I recently looked at the UCLA site and was surprised to find that I would barely make what I am now if I worked there and that is the top of their scale listed!

UnderpaidNurse · Nov 14, 2008

I just moved to the San Jose area in August. I am ACLS certified and have two years acute care experience. I hooked up with an agency and now that flu season is hitting I'm starting to work consistently. Agency LVN in the three hospitals they send me to range from 24-28hr.

When I do Assisted Living cases for this agency it drops, but I love Hospitals so will go on for my RN if I ever get off the wait list/lottery. The great thing is that for anything above eight hours you get time and a half! I'm still looking into the SNF's around here hoping for more steady work with the ability to work hospitals on my days off. Good luck to you : ).

02nurse · Nov 17, 2008

I just moved to the San Jose area in August. I am ACLS certified and have two years acute care experience. I hooked up with an agency and now that flu season is hitting I'm starting to work consistently. Agency LVN in the three hospitals they send me to range from 24-28hr.
When I do Assisted Living cases for this agency it drops, but I love Hospitals so will go on for my RN if I ever get off the wait list/lottery. The great thing is that for anything above eight hours you get time and a half! I'm still looking into the SNF's around here hoping for more steady work with the ability to work hospitals on my days off. Good luck to you : ).

Hi Underpaidnurse

Thanks for your reply and help, Its hard to find anyone willing to help you out these days. Im really looking forward to moving up there soon. Im planning a trip this week to go up looking for a job. If theres any other leads or info ou can give me that would be great. Thanks again.

UnderpaidNurse · Nov 17, 2008

Your welcome O2nurse..good luck to ya! We've got to stick together and help each other out.

I will admit that moving back to california just relit the fire to get my RN, I hate that I can't do what is second nature now because of the scope of practice here.

Good luck