Moving to Cali

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Hello California Nurses, Im moving to California this spring from Michigan. I just received my approval for endorsement letter from the BVNPT, just a few days ago and I am very excited! God's grace is sufficient! I would like to know is there a LVN to RN program that i can get into without a long waiting list. I am planning to move to the South Los Angeles area. Is there any good LVN jobs in this area and what is the pay like for California's LVN. I know that the cost of living in Cali is much higher than Detroit's. 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? Please help!

Grace4life

Is it easier to find a LVN job there? Thanks everyone!
Finding nursing jobs, LVN or RN, ain't easy in any part of southern CA. Plus you'd need to see the Inland Empire before making the leap. Many of the Inland Empire cities are dumps and armpits with high crime and a meth problem. The crime, in addition to the 100+ degree weather, is the reason why rents are cheaper there.
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What does SNF stand for?

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, Med-Surg/Tele, LTC.
What does SNF stand for?

SNFs are skilled nursing facilities. Better known as nursing homes. SNFs, clinics, and home health are the most viable options for LVNs in California since hospitals no longer hire them.

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I have all my perquisites since I was previous in a LPN to RN bridge program here in Michigan. However I didn't finish due to personal reasons. My perquisites are over 5 yrs. old. Will a bridge program in CA accept them this old?

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, Med-Surg/Tele, LTC.
I have all my perquisites since I was previous in a LPN to RN bridge program here in Michigan. However I didn't finish due to personal reasons. My perquisites are over 5 yrs. old. Will a bridge program in CA accept them this old?

Most programs will not accept the core sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology) that are more than 5 years old. I can't think of a single program off the top of my head that does. However, other pre-reqs like English, Math, etc generally have no expiration.

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Thanks!

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How long did it take u to receive your endorsement letter?

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It took about one month before they looked at my application and then what seen like forever about two months for my fingerprinting to clear with the FBI.

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Do anyone know of any Behavioral Health Facilities that hires LVN there in CA? I currently works in a residential facilities with adolescents with mental health issues.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
Do anyone know of any Behavioral Health Facilities that hires LVN there in CA? I currently works in a residential facilities with adolescents with mental health issues.

I can't speak for all psych facilities, but I know that the state hospitals, the one local private inpatient unit, and the various psych facilities we did our clinical rotations in did not have LVNs.

I would strongly advise a visit to ANY area you're considering, and ensuring you have a job offer in writing before making a move. Have you guys ever visited Los Angeles? It may or may not be what you imagine. As everyone has stated, the market is really tough here in CA, even in the IE. Places like Bakersfield might be affordable and hiring, but the air quality is HORRIBLE (google Valley Fever), it's about 120 with hot desert wind in the summer, and there isn't a ton to do (hence the high crime rate). Fresno, Modesto, Visalia, all of those places are very similar. Going much further north will probably make it harder to find work. Sacramento is CRAZY competitive. You might consider Palm Desert or Indio, because I know both areas recently opened hospitals, so RNs may have left LTC (long term care/SNF) for acute care positions, which means that you might get in (a lot of SNFs will take either LVNs or RNs in some positions, some are more specific).

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Specializes in hospice.

Valley Fever is a fungal infection and has nothing to do with air quality. :confused:

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Yes, I have been to Los Angeles several times visiting friends and on vacation. Just so my girls could see the beauty of it and to see if they would like it. They love it too! I have family members who lives in Northern CA and my sister and I is planning on moving to Southern California. I know that life is a chance. I just have to try, at least I can say I tried. Thanks for your input I will take all things into consideration. Blessings!

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