Best place in US to be an RN?

[solneeshka, BSN, RN]

I'm still in school and am considering moving after graduation (and getting some work experience). Every place I look, though, either pays slightly more than a babsitter or else the nurses all sound embittered and like they're looking for a different field. Is there any place in the US where a nurse can receive a decent wage relative to the cost of living, while also having a reasonable work environment?

[joshuaha]

dallas is pretty darn good! Housing is cheap and it is a great and growing place to live.

[mom4josh]

There was a study done recently that showed Central Texas was the best as far as ratio of salary to cost of living. The post was on allnurses, so maybe you could find it.

I live in Temple and work in Waco and find it pretty decent. PM me if you want details!

[whodatnurse]

dallas is pretty darn good! Housing is cheap and it is a great and growing place to live.

Ditto! My two nieces live there and I can't tell you how much I envy the bang they get for their buck as far as housing is concerned.

[IngyRN]

This would really depend on what specialty you are interested in, how far are you willing to relocate & what matters most- experience vs $$$$.

[Sandy_dfw]

I agree with Dallas!

[eager1hasbegun]

or else the nurses all sound embittered and like they're looking for a different field. Is there any place in the US where a nurse can receive a decent wage relative to the cost of living, while also having a reasonable work environment?

As for people sounding bitter and unsatisfied, you're going to find that in ANY industry. Haven't you noticed: people love to complain about their jobs! :grn:When you have nothing to say at a party, complain about work and you'll have everyone participating! But seriously, with nursing, a lot of its probably justified. Nurses work hard, and for all they do, they still don't get enough glory or pay. That's why one of the most important qualities of a good nurse is caring. If you don't care about your patients, you won't be happy and you won't perfrom well.

[purple_rose_3]

I agree with Texas! I loved it when I worked there!

[solneeshka, BSN, RN]

There was a study done recently that showed Central Texas was the best as far as ratio of salary to cost of living. The post was on allnurses, so maybe you could find it.

I live in Temple and work in Waco and find it pretty decent. PM me if you want details!

That's pretty amazing to me, I live in Austin! I've seen on this site that nurses make more in Houston and Dallas, and I know that the cost of living there is less. I think I need to look more closely at those cities, although I do really like the hospitals I've had clinicals at in Austin. All of the decision-making is a little overwhelming. One step at a time. I'll ping you separately on Waco & Temple. Thanks!

[shoebottom]

this is the one question that i wanted to ask and could not word it right. thank you. through the research that i have been doing on the subject i have found that houston is top of the list.

i plan i move when i finish school, and we are really looking at texas. we went to san antonio on our honeymoon and i did not want to come home to mississippi.

ashley

[luckylucyrn]

If you go to texas, just be sure you brush up on your Spanish (especially Houston!). You will be better equipped to communicate with your patients! I have never worked in Texas, but i thought Austin was a really nice city.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

California is the only state in the union with legally-mandated rations for acute care hospitals. An RN in California cannot be assigned to more than 5 patients on a typical med/surg floor. While the cost-of-living is sky-high, the pay rates tend to be competitive.