LPN Moving to Southern California

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Hello Everyone,

I have been a LPN for 3 years with little to NO experience. I currently live in South Florida and I HATE it! I finally decided on living in Cali. I just recently sent my application for endorsement for my license, so now I'm just playing the waiting game. I am thinking about staying in Burbank, California but I am open to any other suggestions. I wanted to know if I will be able to find work in California with NO work experience, even though I've been licensed for some time. PLEASE HELP!!!!!! Thanks 😀

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Yes, but I'd recommend applying to place NOW. You don't want to move somewhere and not have a job lined up. Nursing homes are ALWAYS hiring CNAs/LVNs. It's LVN here btw. The pay is about $20-$25/hr for new LVNs here. Wish you well. Idk if you've ever been here before, but Burbank is far from the city of L.A. especially if you don't have a car. Just a thought if you're social and looking for the typical Cali lifestyle.

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Thank you so much for your input. I will definitely get started on applying. What about correctional facilities? Do they have a lot of openings?

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Yes, there are openings, but how many idk. You would have to go to those facilities website. However, most of the prisons are outside of the city also. In like rural areas or the Inland Empire which is 30 miles from L.A. If you're looking to move I'd recommend visiting the location because Cali is expensive and you want to be sure where you move there are plenty of job opportunities and affordable rent. The average apartment is $1500-$2k+.

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Will do. Thank you so much.

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Specializes in LTC Management, Community Nursing, HHC.

Hello! My LVN license application (endorsement from a Compact State) has taken longer than my RN license application to come through. If you need a job, I'd suggest that you apply and wait for your license to be approved before you come out here. Also, from what I've seen, LVNs in CA make a lot less than they do in many other states, although the cost of living is much higher out here. Some start as low as $15 - $17 but most seem to be in the low $20s.

One option you could consider is Nevada, while waiting for your CA license to come through. Their pay rates are comparable but their cost of living is much lower, and they have the option to walk into their Board and get your temp license the same day. That will at least give you some experience while waiting for your CA LVN license. Good luck!

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Thank you so much. That's great advice.

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Specializes in Skilled Nursing.

Hi!

ok so I'm not the only one that is holding an LVN license for that long. I'm on the same boat as you as far as looking for an LVN job with NO experience. I'm in the process of applying at Indeed, Craigslist, Ziprecruiter etc. I have been skeptical :cautious:, indecisive & picky on most of the places or companies I applied to. I can't imagine myself passing meds to 60+ patients :eek:. So far some nursing homes that i applied to start at $17/hr here.

Since you mentioned that you'd like to live around Burbank, ever consider working at a Psychiatric hospital since you wanted to work at a correctional facility? I don't know any in Burbank area :sorry: but they are in a similar work environment.

I read in recent posts that new nurses like us LVNs with 0 experience might get a better chance to land a job in Psych bc its not as hectic than working at a Med/Surg floor, I could be wron.g :blink: I worked as a Mental health worker for a year in a Psych ward and i'm a PCA at a cancer hospital holding an LVN license for 3+ years with 0 experience. I wanted to work 12hr shifts as a new LVN but can't find any yet, most are 8 hours nursing homes,AL,LTC or prefer experienced LVNs. :down:

Well I wish you luck on finding that job here in California and a place as well. You could PM me if you have any questions or messege me. :nurse::coffee::up:

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Specializes in Skilled Nursing.
Yes, but I'd recommend applying to place NOW. You don't want to move somewhere and not have a job lined up. Nursing homes are ALWAYS hiring CNAs/LVNs. It's LVN here btw. The pay is about $20-$25/hr for new LVNs here. Wish you well. Idk if you've ever been here before, but Burbank is far from the city of L.A. especially if you don't have a car. Just a thought if you're social and looking for the typical Cali lifestyle.

:wideyed: hold up....

LVNs with 0 experience get paid $20-$25/hr?? where?? is it near LA county??

btw I'm in the San Gabriel Valley I forgot to mention in my previous post that I work as a PCA 12hr NOCs earning $21-$24(Includes differential)

I try hard not to think about how low the starting pay is for a new LVN when I'm earning enough as a CNA :laugh:. Of course we have to start somewhere so i keep telling myself that I need the experience and not think about the money:uhoh3:

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I dont mind working at a nursing home either; to be honest I just want a job. I live in South Florida and I can't find ANYTHING!!!! Once my license gets endorsed I'll be on the next flight out lol ! But I will definitely look into psych. Thank you so much and I will definitely be PMing you í ½í¸‰

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Specializes in Skilled Nursing.

i don't know if the PM will work on my account since I have to have at least 15 posts or something. im trying to get use to this website so ill just leave you my email and btw Indeed or Craigslist is probably a good start for job hunting. some might ask for IV/blood withdrawal certification..i dont have those yet, wasn't sure if i needed them since most nursing homes dont let LVNs start IVs.

ltan3180@gmail . com

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Specializes in LTC Management, Community Nursing, HHC.

If you have the time, do some research by looking for smaller nursing homes in the area that you plan to move to. I'd also suggest a quick refresher course once you get out here. If you look on the CA Board of Nursing site (it may be on the RN board instead of the LVN) there are lists of schools that offer refresher courses. One good thing is that they are only a few days long, or you could even do a one day class that will cover all your skills, so at least you can say that you took a refresher course when you apply for jobs, and it will probably help you feel better about your skills as well.

My other suggestion is to walk-in to a nursing home and ask the receptionist if you could be interviewed the same day if you fill out an application for an LVN position. That's what helped me get a job (both the skills refresher, although mine was RN, and the walking in and applying and asking if they'd be able to interview me the same day). Unlike hospitals, many smaller nursing homes appreciate eager potential employees, but do so without being pushy.

Good luck!

PS. We had LVNs and RNs in the same skills class. Some are open to both, others are just for RNs so be careful which one you sign up for, if you decide to sign up.

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