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RN hourly rate and cost of living?



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Oct 01, 2005 11:03 AM

RN hourly rate and cost of living?

by jab3da

I'm currently a nursing student in Missouri and want to move to California when I'm finished (specifically San Diego). I have a few years to go, but I'd like to have an idea of what to expect. About how much is the cost of living to live decently, but cheaply (including rent, utilities, groceries, gas, car insurance)? Also, what is the going hourly rate for RN's fresh out of school? Anything else I need to know? Thanks.

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10 Comments
No. 1
from military spouse
Old Oct 03, 2005, 10:38 AM

I grew up in Orange County and the majority of my family still lives there. My sister is an RN and makes about $30 per hour. She just bought her 2nd house so that her kids could attend a school where English is more widely spoken and she paid almost $600,000. It is about 40 years old and in a safe, decent neighborhood, but nothing special. I couldn't go back. Too many places where one can live REALLY well making the same wages. Groceries are definately more expensive!
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No. 2
from ToughRN
Old Oct 03, 2005, 03:45 PM

everything is WAY more expensive here! for a decent 2 bedroom apt. youre looking at anywhere from 1200 to 2000 a month. gas is about 3.00 a gallon. milk here is about 2.50. i pay about 60.00 a month for liability insurance on my car. and its an 86 civic. i am currently looking to leave here. you could definitely make the same money another place and have a much lower cost of living.
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No. 3
from noworries
Old Oct 04, 2005, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by future_nicu_nurse
everything is WAY more expensive here! for a decent 2 bedroom apt. youre looking at anywhere from 1200 to 2000 a month. gas is about 3.00 a gallon. milk here is about 2.50. i pay about 60.00 a month for liability insurance on my car. and its an 86 civic. i am currently looking to leave here. you could definitely make the same money another place and have a much lower cost of living.
Hey nicu nurse, where else do you suggest to live to get similar pay?
I'm looking to bank in a bit of money from the states before returning home
to live too!

Private msg me!
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No. 4
from suzanne4
Old Oct 10, 2005, 09:46 PM

Default Re: RN hourly rate and cost of living?
Do not look at only the pay. If your rent and living expenses are much higher, then you will actually have less left over at the end of the year.
This needs to be taken into account by every nurse considering salary........and where to go.

If salaries are that much higher, it means that the expenses are also higher, and in turn you will be paying more in taxes as well, because of the higher income. Something else to consider.
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No. 5
from HeartsOpenWide
Old Oct 10, 2005, 10:32 PM

Default Re: RN hourly rate and cost of living?
Its expensive to live in California period.
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No. 6
from mstigerlily
Old Oct 11, 2005, 12:48 AM

Default Re: RN hourly rate and cost of living?
I live in San Diego and I agree, it's expensive but I have lived here my whole life so have nothing to compare it too. Gas is around $3 a gallon, average home is $500,000 for nothing special with a teeny yard. Rent is expensive, I'd be surprised if you could find anything under $1000 a month for even a small 1 bdm apt. And that's inland - beach areas, forget it!!

I am a new grad so I know salaries around about $27/hr to start as an RN. There is a night differential which varies from hospital to hospital and I know at least one hospital has a weekend differential.

IMO, salaries are not in line with cost of living here. Cost of living is comparable to Los Angeles, Bay Area/SF, Orange County and yet, those areas pay more per hour.

Melissa


Originally Posted by jab3da
I'm currently a nursing student in Missouri and want to move to California when I'm finished (specifically San Diego). I have a few years to go, but I'd like to have an idea of what to expect. About how much is the cost of living to live decently, but cheaply (including rent, utilities, groceries, gas, car insurance)? Also, what is the going hourly rate for RN's fresh out of school? Anything else I need to know? Thanks.
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No. 7
from shyone2005
Old Oct 11, 2005, 01:29 AM

Default Re: RN hourly rate and cost of living?
i live in sacramento, california... hourly rate for new grad is between 30-34 depending on which hospital you work.... i'll be working nights so i will be making 35.60... houses are expensive but you can get a small home 3 bdr over 10 years old for about 350+.... rent is okay i guess.. my neighbors are renting their house for $1200 and it is clean and new....
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No. 8
from SherBearRN
Old Oct 12, 2005, 07:23 PM

Default Re: RN hourly rate and cost of living?
I'm a recent transplant from the midwest to San Francisco. I make $40.49/hr without shift diff and my apt is $1500/month. I live right next to the ocean and even though the cost of living is significantly higher here, I wouldn't trade it for the world! CA has great weather, great recreational opportunities, and great patient ratios.
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No. 9
from SFCardiacRN
Old Oct 14, 2005, 09:08 PM

Default Re: RN hourly rate and cost of living?
San Diego has better weather but SF has better pay. Cost of living is about the same for both places. I moved to CA from Texas because of pay and have not regretted it.
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