Here in Southern Cali, LVNs at hospitals usually starts at 14.00. Psych hospital is 16.00. I am working on LTC right now at 21.00 flat rate. The agency rate is 22.00 on weekdays and 24.00 on weekends. It is hard to rely on agencies because hospitals and most healtcare setting prefer RNs. I am back to school taking subjects at community college to go get into the RN program. It will take years. The RN to LVN accelerated program through exelsior has been stopped for years now. It's not easy working and then schooling with family, but if I want to get paid better with much option on the nursing field, I have to do it. Our job job as an LVN is hard as well. We do everything except IV meds.