Starting salary for an LVN and an RN?

U.S.A. California

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Specializes in Nursing student.

Hi guys! I was just wondering if any of you could give me a round about estimate of a starting salary for an LVN and an RN? I moved from the O.C to Arkansas to go to nursing school and I've lost touch with reality...need to know what kind of salary Im lookin' at when I move back. Thanks:redbeathe, Kristen:nurse:

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Which part of CA do you intend to work?

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Specializes in Nursing student.
Which part of CA do you intend to work?

Hi commuter, I intend to work(and live) in orange county...but i would work in L.A if the money is signifigantly more:cool: Thanks for your reply

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maybe from 30-35. depends on the hospital and the city. well for SF they pay more coz living expenses there is higher.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I was going to work in OC thinking that they would pay more than the inland empire....

they offered me as an LVN salary of 17/hour ( i made 18.50 where i was at in IE)

RN's start around 30ish an hour.

I do not believe LA pays significantly more. Gas prices & time spent sitting on freeway would probably make it pointless.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Nursing student.
I was going to work in OC thinking that they would pay more than the inland empire....

they offered me as an LVN salary of 17/hour ( i made 18.50 where i was at in IE)

RN's start around 30ish an hour.

I do not believe LA pays significantly more. Gas prices & time spent sitting on freeway would probably make it pointless.

Good luck!

Hi Nickilaughs, do you mind me asking where about in the IE you work? I was living and grew up in OC, but would definately live in Temecula, or somewhere around there:rolleyes:(to me anything is better than where Im at) Also, do you work at a hospital or an SNF? I heard that hospitals kinda phased out LVN's:cry: What are your duties? Are you allowed to give injections? Im taught them here in AR. but I dont think its leagal in CA for LVNs to give injections. Thanks for your reply:nurse: Kristen

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LVNs in CA can give injections. They have to be certified however to administer IV therapy. Most hospitals require IV Therapy certification for LVNs that want positions there. I work in hh and LVNs can expect from $17 to $23 an hour for shift work and from $25 to $35 an hour for visits. One hh employer in the LA area has hit a new low with $14 an hour for night shift and $15-$16 an hour for day shift. I don't think they would get many takers with those wages!

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Sorry for the slow response.

LVNs in California can give injections, but have to be IV certified to insert IVs and administer IV fluids such as normal saline (NO medications).

I have only worked long term care as an LVN and office work. I was just comparing my salary experiences as an LVN to both OC and IE.

Temecula isn't that close to many hospitals. I believe Inland Valley Medical Center is somewhat near there. I don't know where you plan to live though. I just know that if you live in IE the drive to OC for most isn't worth it because a lot of people do the commute, and when you factor in the extra hour and a half minimum of drive time because of traffic. I've learned base salaries for many jobs aren't that different between the two, which is odd because the cost of living is much higher in OC.

Ive always thought that when the average salary is around 65 to 70 k, the 5 k isn't that much more especially when cost of living, drive time, and the more money you make the higher taxes you pay.

Just an idea, good luck with whatever you decide!

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