Moving to california

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2015

I'm an LVN in Texas and I'm moving to California soon. I was wondering how long it takes to get my license transferred over there?

Since the California BVNPT is understaffed and still operates via snail mail, obtaining a license by endorsement will take anywhere from two to four months.

I hope to find a job relatively quickly. What is it like in the Los Angeles area for LVNs? How hard or easy is it to get a job?

Los Angeles has been severely glutted with too many nurses since 2008. The job market is difficult for RNs and even more difficult for LVNs. I personally would not relocate there without a job lined up or six to twelve months worth of cash reserves on which you can live because the local employment market is just that bad.

I know of some LVNs in the area who have not found employment since 2010, but they refuse to move on to other states that have more fruitful prospects.

California is unique in that 60 percent of all internationally educated nurses (IENs) in the US want to work in CA. But because many of the IENs are being denied RN licensure due to lack of clinical practicum concurrency, they are being granted LVN licensure by the BVNPT if they apply and get approved.

So essentially, employers in CA can hire a nurse with a BSN degree at an LVN wage because that is the highest level of licensure they have. If the IEN has a BSN degree, but you have only a diploma or certificate in vocational nursing, who do you think employers will hire?

charlalynn · Jan 3, 2015

I'll be living in North Hollywood. Is there any area in California that is close to there that I would be able to get a job? I don't know the area that well yet. I'll probably get any job until I can get a job as a nurse.

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Jan 3, 2015

I'm sorry but it doesn't look good. Cali is so expensive for anybody in the best of circumstances. I wouldn't move to California at all if I were you, unless you have a well paid spouse.

Nienna Celebrindal · Jan 3, 2015

I agree with pp. It's HORRENDOUS here and it's worse in LA then where I live an hour (with out traffic) away. People are moving here or commuting for jobs.

I moved here from norcal for my RN program with 12 years of experience(a lot of hospital experience), IV certification and military medic experience and couldn't get a job other than home care making next to nothing. Here even LTC jobs are a good find.

sorry but I highly advise against it.

Libby1987 · Jan 3, 2015

Since the California BVNPT is understaffed and still operates via snail mail, obtaining a license by endorsement will take anywhere from two to four months.
Los Angeles has been severely glutted with too many nurses since 2008. The job market is difficult for RNs and even more difficult for LVNs. I personally would not relocate there without a job lined up or six to twelve months worth of cash reserves on which you can live because the local employment market is just that bad.
I know of some LVNs in the area who have not found employment since 2010, but they refuse to move on to other states that have more fruitful prospects.
California is unique in that 60 percent of all internationally educated nurses (IENs) in the US want to work in CA. But because many of the IENs are being denied RN licensure due to lack of clinical practicum concurrency, they are being granted LVN licensure by the BVNPT if they apply and get approved.
So essentially, employers in CA can hire a nurse with a BSN degree at an LVN wage because that is the highest level of licensure they have. If the IEN has a BSN degree, but you have only a diploma or certificate in vocational nursing, who do you think employers will hire?

That's really interesting and something I was not aware of (IEN's working for LVN wages).

I live/work in a very non diverse area but I noted when my own father was hospitalized in rehab in the Central Valley that the nursing staff did not seem to represent the demographics of the area (Clovis). Your explanation iprobably covers it?

roser13, ASN, RN · Jan 4, 2015

I'll be living in North Hollywood. Is there any area in California that is close to there that I would be able to get a job? I don't know the area that well yet. I'll probably get any job until I can get a job as a nurse.

OP, I hope you are really reading/noting these posts. Thus far, it doesn't seem as if you are.

wheeliesurfer · Jan 4, 2015

Be prepared to work "any" job for a LONG time!! In that area there are several world class magnet hospitals that REQUIRE BSNs and the area is COMPLETELY saturated!! You would be lucky to find a LTC/SNF that was hiring, but even that is doubtful. Be prepared to apply for HUNDREDS of positions and be granted few, if any interviews.

Not to be mean, but I hope that you have A LOT of money saved up for living expenses while you look for work (any work, as the employment market around there is very crummy right now) and/or have a spouse/significant other with a well paying job lined up already that you can fall back on while you look for work.

I live approx. an hour from "the city" and even out here it is hard to find a job!

caliotter3 · Jan 4, 2015

I'll be living in North Hollywood. Is there any area in California that is close to there that I would be able to get a job? I don't know the area that well yet. I'll probably get any job until I can get a job as a nurse.

Not much available in that immediate area and there has not been for quite some time.

caliotter3 · Jan 4, 2015

Have you started looking on the employment websites for openings in or near North Hollywood? How many of those openings have you applied to, called to inquire about, or have appointments for interviews with once you have your license in hand? Your preliminary work on the employment websites and from cold calling employers should already have told you something that the posts here are only verifying.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Jan 4, 2015

I would not want to be an LVN in Los Angeles. There are a few working as unit clerks at my hospital. They've been looking for nursing jobs for years with no success.

ShondaJ · Jan 4, 2015

About all you will get any time soon will be maybe fast food. As far as nursing, you will be added to the huge pile of nurses who already live here and haven't' found a job in a year or more. Be ready to not work as a nurse for a long time. With experience you can go to the registries and try to land some openings there when the have spots.

Look on Craigslist and you will see some Registries looking for RNs, LVNs and CNAs. But be aware that even registries are not having alot of spots. My best friend and my Sister are nurses and they are not scheduled regularly or they get cancelled alot or there is nothing available. They have been in the field for 15 and 12 years. Make sure you are already in a position before moving or you will regret moving before hand.

Friendly advice and I also agree with the other posts as well.

Southern California has too many nurses and not enough jobs to handle them.