Thinking about moving to Colorado!

Marynochka · Feb 2, 2009

Natasha, I'm with you with those questions. I also move to CO this summer and information you asked is vital for me as well.

JustKeepSmiling, ADN, BSN, RN · Feb 11, 2009

Hey CO nurses! Help me out here!

**Bump**

Satori77, ADN · Feb 11, 2009

I love the state. I moved out here in '99 from upstate NY. I miss it, but Colorado is beautiful, a dream to outdoor/nature lovers. Also has lots of culture. Denver, Boulder, Ft Collins, and Colorado Springs have a lot to offer. But cost of living is high, especially compared to the wages. I think that is the only thing I don't like about this place.

As for public schools, it depends on the area. Denver, I would not put my kids in most of those schools. I think Boulder and Ft Collins have good schools. Some of Colo Spgs are decent, you have to check them out. Cherry Creek school district in Aurora is good (though the rest in Aurora aren't). And Douglas County schools are great. We live in Parker and my daughter is in a Douglas county school. Very impressed with them. It is a little more expensive to live, but worth it to us because of our kids. If you have any other questions, please ask. Oh, don't know anything about Catholic schools though, sorry.

BTW... I work with someone from New Orleans...I adore her!! Just had to put that in there.

Marynochka · Feb 11, 2009

can somebody tell me how much rn with 2-years experience can earn in colorado? i worked 2 years in med.surg/ ortho unit in one midwestern states. now in summer i'm moving to colorado. i had found on this website different options about new-nurse salaries, but none about wages for nurses with some experience.

also i would really appreciate any advice about hospitals in boulder-denver areas. any subjective input is more than welcome.

Putter · Nov 4, 2009

I am also moving to Colorado and share the same questions and concerns. Please help us Colorado Nurse!

Conrad283, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2009

New graduates are having a difficult time finding jobs out here in Colorado.

I am also moving to Colorado from out of state (NYC), and I have ~20 months of ICU experience. I've interviewed at a few hospitals thus far.

Salaries for someone with

missy--kay · Nov 9, 2009

I've been in CO for 15 years, my husband is a native. We are looking to move out, and soon! Schools are mediocre. Jobs are hard to come by. Costs of living are high. The only things I would miss would be the beautiful sunrises/sets. Good luck!!

nyteshade, BSN · Dec 28, 2009

I've been in CO for 15 years, my husband is a native. We are looking to move out, and soon! Schools are mediocre. Jobs are hard to come by. Costs of living are high. The only things I would miss would be the beautiful sunrises/sets. Good luck!!

I'm from Miami, you should check out the "Why does everyone hate Florida so much" thread. I did some travelling up in Denver, and I it's not so bad. They claim Aurora is bad, but you haven't seen Miami... :twocents:

missy--kay · Dec 28, 2009

I'm sure Aurora is nothing compared to Miami... but Colorado is not where I want to live and that was the jist to my post. Everyone else in the country thinks Colorado is grand, and that is why it is overpopulated and not much fun.

mandyc · Jul 26, 2010

colorado is a great place to live. i moved here from ca. when i was 14...so many years ago. i recently went to nursing school; graduated last year from an adn program...i am working on my bsn through WGU. i will hopefully

be done by dec. 2010. i have noticed an influx of new grads, thus limiting the job market for those applying. i have friends that graduated last year that still are either not employed or are taking agency jobs. unfortunately, the job market is slim and you cannot be as "picky" as we once could be. nursing homes are always looking for new help (especially nurses) there are a few hospitals that will look at new grads that are located south of denver. from experience, i know that parkview medical center will hire new grads, the pay is less for many reasons, the experience level of the new grad, the economy, huge job pool to choose from and pueblo's cost of living is much lower, thus the lower pay... i am not sure if st. mary corwin is hiring new grads or not, they are a centura facility. always jobs to apply for online, not sure what the rate of hire is for new grads though. i know, in the past, they have both take adn nurses...the average pay range is around 20-22 for a new grad...with nursing homes paying more. i am not sure why but in denver, they primarily want a bsn or a nurse with adn close to getting a bsn with experience. most ads for employment require a min. of 1 year experience as a nurse to apply. there are some new rn internships out there, they are limited to the amount of new rn's they take and they have deadlines to apply. i have worked for agency up in denver and was at one time in the same boat as all the other new grads...they just cannot find full time, benefit jobs. most graduates of denver, from an adn program are lucky to find a nursing job. the market is strong though for bsn nurses, which is why i am getting mine. there is a website on facebook that is dedicated to new nursing grads. it is run by colorado nurse association. websites to look at: http://www.nurses-co.org/ and on facebook type in "colorado new nursing grads", you will find more info there....it is a growing concern among the community of new nursing grads, nursing students and colleges as well as the adn programs out there.

good luck in your search!

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Jul 28, 2010

Colorado rocks, but don't move here for your career. This is simply an awesome place to live but dont' forget Colorado is young state. Cost of living is relatively high, pay is relatively low, and the medical systems are not as advanced as in other states. But within an hour of my house I can climb, snowboard, snowshoe, ski, mountain bike and camp at 13,000 feet with our 300 days of sunshine per year.