California is the place to be-at least, if you're following the money From 2000 to 2006 RNs in the state's urban centers experienced "real wage growth," up to 12% higher than that of nurses in urban areas outside the state, according to a study by Mark and colleagues in Health Affairs published online February 10. This change is attributed to the minimum RN and LVN staffing levels implemented in acute care facilities in 2004. It seems that increased demand means increased wages; the authors point out, however, that questions remain about whether the quality of care has improved.