[military spouse]

Hello everybody!
I've corresponded with several nurses recently and all of us are looking for a good place to work and live. This includes realistic staffing ratios and reasonable cost-of-living. Please tell us if your location does or does not meet those qualifications.
Example: Southern Arizona has become quite expensive recently. Staffing ratios for Tele 1:3-4
M/S 1:6-7
Newer 1800 sq ft house $200,000+
wages about $25 per hour with experience

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

[mstigerlily]

You think that's expensive???! Don't move to San Diego. Average house is about $500,000 and new grad wages are $27. That hardly makes up the difference does it?? I'm moving where you are!

Melissa

Originally Posted by military spouse

Hello everybody!
I've corresponded with several nurses recently and all of us are looking for a good place to work and live. This includes realistic staffing ratios and reasonable cost-of-living. Please tell us if your location does or does not meet those qualifications.
Example: Southern Arizona has become quite expensive recently. Staffing ratios for Tele 1:3-4
M/S 1:6-7
Newer 1800 sq ft house $200,000+
wages about $25 per hour with experience

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

[bluesky]

Washington D.C./ Maryland/ Virginia New grad wages $ 24 is the highest I know of. House depends on county and lifestyle but don't count on anything decent under $500,000 within a reasonable distance from the city.

[military spouse]

Actually, if you can stand living in El Paso, TX (I loved it; husband hated it), wages are high and cost-of-living is very low. The West part of town (Redd Rd.) is quite nice! I, too, am originally from CA (Orange Cty) and can't afford to go back.
Erin

[witnurse]

I am very excited to have this opportunity to share with you all. My hospital is a Critical Access Hospital in rural Northern New England. Our crime rate is very low. Our air is clean. The school system is excellent. I have been in healthcare for greater than 30years and this is the best facility I have ever worked in. We have a voice and autonomy. The nursing department is managed by an 8 person team. The COO, clinical day manager, clinical night manager, OR resource nurse, ED resource nurse, Med/Surg/Pedi resource nurse, OB/education resource nurse and the Infection Control/ Employee Health/Survey Coordinator. The docs and PA's are wonderful. Our relationships are collaborative and we have an easy free exchange of info that is rare.
Our nurse to patient ratios are as follows.
SCU NEVER more than 1:2, if vent 1:1
Med/Surg- 1:2-3, rarely more than 4 and they would be SNF patients if that were the case.
ED- 2:5, we always have an RN and tech in the ED.(5 beds capacity).
Always a house mom as we call it and every shift at least one LNA and often 2 LNAs.
Our CEO is extremely generous when it comes to education and you are encouraged to get one outside offerring per speciality per year. For example I am crosstrained to SCU, Med/Surg/Pedi, OR, PACU, ED, Cardiac Rehab and Stress Tests. I would be OK'd to go to that many classes etc.
We start at anywhere between 18 to 22 dollars depending on experience, certifications and education level. We have excellent differentials, 3 dollars for eves, 5 dollars for nights and 2.50 for weekends.
We do self-scheduling and work 12 hour shifts. We receive FT benefits for 36. Some prefer 2-8's and 2 12's. We have to work 4 "premium" shifts in a 6 week period which averages out to every third weekend.
We have a strong preceptorship program, which we are serious about and committed to.
This hospital is great for those of us older nurses who still want acute care but don't want the insane nurse to patient ratios in the tertiary facilities. It is also excellent for new grads to build their skills and confidence regardless of whether they stay with us or move on for more challenges.
We also pay for our LPN's to train for their RN if they wish.
Please feel free to inquire further if you are interested. We do have several openings at this time.
P.S. Housing is dirt cheap compared to the rest of the country. 75,000 buys you a really nice 3-4 bedroom home.
Eeyore

[military spouse]

Wow! Sounds like you have found a great employer. Please tell more.
Thank you,
Erin

[witnurse]

:hatparty: What else would you like to know?
We have hunting, fishing, skiing-cross country and down hill, white water rafting, lakes for boating, water skiing and swimming.
Montreal- 2 1/2 hrs
Boston 3
Wall Mart, Home Depot, Staples, TJ Maxx and all the fast food and chain restaurants 45 mins to 1 hour away.
Eeyore

[mstigerlily]

Telling us the town and name of hospital would be great!!!

Melissa

Originally Posted by witnurse

:hatparty: What else would you like to know?
We have hunting, fishing, skiing-cross country and down hill, white water rafting, lakes for boating, water skiing and swimming.
Montreal- 2 1/2 hrs
Boston 3
Wall Mart, Home Depot, Staples, TJ Maxx and all the fast food and chain restaurants 45 mins to 1 hour away.
Eeyore

[lna2rn]

Nashua, NH avg cost of house $300,000, avg RN Salary $52,000. Small city <500,000. 2 major hospitals can take a citybus to them both.

[hollyster]

Originally Posted by witnurse

:hatparty: What else would you like to know?
We have hunting, fishing, skiing-cross country and down hill, white water rafting, lakes for boating, water skiing and swimming.
Montreal- 2 1/2 hrs
Boston 3
Wall Mart, Home Depot, Staples, TJ Maxx and all the fast food and chain restaurants 45 mins to 1 hour away.
Eeyore

Sounds wonderful. Home depot and Staples are my husbands two requirements. How do we sign on???