Moving to Cali

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 2, 2015

I've heard that California is extremely saturated with nurses. Make sure you have a job lined up before you make the move.

Red Kryptonite · Jan 2, 2015

Both the employment market and the educational system for nurses in California are extremely impacted. Especially in a major metro like Los Angeles. What's the reason for the move?

SquishyRN, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2015

There are many LVN to RN programs in the Los Angeles area that are merit or points based instead of lottery or waiting list. They are highly impacted, however, and require you to have very good grades in your pre-reqs.

The job market in Southern California is tough for new grad and experienced nurses alike. I recommend on not moving out here until you have a job already lined up, or at least half a year's income put aside to cover living expenses while you search for a job if experienced, or a year's worth of living expenses if a new grad. The range for new grad LVNs in LA County is generally $15 to $25 per hour across the board from home health, clinics, SNFs, etc. For experienced LVNs, about $20-$35 per hour. LVNs making more than $30 generally do specialized work like case management, staff development, MDS, or even ADON.

Los Angeles has one of the worst rental markets in the country, with almost half our incomes going to rent. Affordable housing is becoming harder to come by, even though luxury apartment buildings are popping up everywhere left and right as neighborhoods start to gentrify. I pay $1300 for a 350 sq ft studio in an older building built in the 1930s located in a rapidly gentrifying area of downtown LA surrounded by luxury apartments whose rents are $2000+ for studios/1 bdrms.

Here are some articles about a UCLA study about LA rents: UCLA study identifies L.A. as most unaffordable rental market in the nation | UCLA

21 Signs That 2014 Was the Year of LA's Rental Apocalypse - Curbed Awards 2014 - Curbed LA

Here is a link to recent rent data from rentjungle.com: Average Rent In Los Angeles, Los Angeles Rent Trends and Rental Comps

Compare that to the rent data from Detroit (since you are more familiar with that area) to gauge how accurate and reliable you think the LA data might be: Average Rent In Detroit, Detroit Rent Trends and Rental Comps

The data is limited in that they only factor in average rents within 10 miles of Los Angeles proper. Cheaper rents can be found in the suburbs farther out, although still pretty expensive compared to what you may be used to. In the suburbs I was paying $1175 for a 615 sq ft 1 bdrm. However, when I moved out this past summer, they raised the rent to $1310 for the same unit. Many commute to LA from the Inland Empire, where housing is still reasonable for Southern California standards.

I personally know quite a few single parent LVNs getting by, but every single one of them work at least a part-time job in addition to their full-time, with most even working two full-time jobs.

Good luck to you in your endeavors should you still decide to take the plunge and move out here.

funsizedprenurse · Jan 2, 2015

I am going to be completely honest and say that unless you have an lvn job lined up, it is going to be EXTREMELY difficult getting a job here. I live in the southern Los Angeles Area and it is one of the worst places to move. I know it seems biased, but I lived here my whole life. I know many nurses who have RN and LVNs licenses and find it very difficult to have a job. Some I know moved up northern california because the pay rate is higher from here from what I heard. Unless you have a job lined up before moving to La, you might be reconsider moving here.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2015

Will I be able to make it as a single mother of 2 teenagers and renting on a LVN income, at least until I can go back to school?

LVN positions are not easy to find in the greater Los Angeles area, even with experience. In addition, the rent-to-income ratio in Los Angeles is the second highest in the entire US, esentially meaning that NYC is the only other city with more expensive rents.

The pay is not terribly competitive, either.

The Rent is Too Damn High* â€¹ Zillow Real Estate Research

zeusandapollo · Jan 2, 2015

question for moderator, is "ASN" Associates of Science in Nursing?, another term for ADN? or is this something else? just curious if california uses ASN instead of ADN, might help in getting a job?

ShondaJ · Jan 2, 2015

I would have to agree with everyone's responses. It is very expensive and unless you have additional income on top of the LVN and a job lined up already to start when you get here, I don't suggest moving here until then. You will have a hard time finding a job here especially as an LVN. Try looking into the VA hospital and LTCs. Most hospitals are not hiring anything lower than a BSN now.

There are LVN to BSN programs that do not have wait list or lotteries but you will need to settle in first and get use to the high expenses.

I am making around $25/hr currently in Law Enforcement and I am a single mom with 2 teen girls and an adult son who helps with rent, but I often need help from my Fiance because it is just to much to live out here. A 3 bedroom can cost $1500(in a bad area) and up here. I am in a decent area paying $1875 a month. Its hard. I have been living in Los Angeles County for the past 14 years and miss being back at home in Northern California to Sacramento because living is much cheaper and you don't need to make a ton of money to live pay check to pay check like you have to do here in LA.

When I get my BSN I plan to move back to Northern Cal because in Southern Cal there are alot of nursing programs graduating nurses and not enough jobs to handle it.

I would look into the VA and apply because you will be in the government system, job will always be there and once you are in, you can transfer where ever there are openings and you will be placed outside applications when it comes to getting positions in the VA. Thats why I am staying in the government system. Easier to move around without all the trouble.

Just a suggestion. I totally agree with everyone posts.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2015

question for moderator, is "ASN" Associates of Science in Nursing?, another term for ADN? or is this something else? just curious if california uses ASN instead of ADN, might help in getting a job?

Yes, 'ASN' stands for associate of science in nursing. ADN, ASN and AASN are all different types of associate degrees in nursing.

Although I am originally from California, I earned the ASN degree out of state, have spent my entire nursing career out of state, and have not lived in CA since 2005. It's the BSN degree that will better facilitate finding a job in California.

ShondaJ · Jan 2, 2015

California is ADN - Associates Degree in Nursing. Same as ASN which is what other states call it.

Grace4life · Jan 2, 2015

Thank you all for your input on the nursing jobs as well as the housing market of LA. I have heard this before but not about the nursing jobs for LVN. I am a little disappointed, for my girls and I have high hopes for moving to LA. A warmer climate and a fresh start from here in Michigan. Especially my 11th grader who have plans to try and get into UCLA. Someone had mention to me before about the Inland Empire where the rental property is cheaper. Is it easier to find a LVN job there? Thanks everyone!

SquishyRN, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2015

Thank you all for your input on the nursing jobs as well as the housing market of LA. I have heard this before but not about the nursing jobs for LVN. I am a little disappointed, for my girls and I have high hopes for moving to LA. A warmer climate and a fresh start from here in Michigan. Especially my 11th grader who have plans to try and get into UCLA. Someone had mention to me before about the Inland Empire where the rental property is cheaper. Is it easier to find a LVN job there? Thanks everyone!

I wouldn't say it's easier to get a job in the IE, but it would definitely be easier to make ends meet once you do get a job. The wages in the IE are still near LA wages, but the rents are significantly lower, so your paycheck will go farther. The most difficult thing is definitely the getting a job part, especially since you are out of state. Hospitals no longer hire LVNs, and most smaller places like SNFs and clinics don't advertise online.