pay rates in different areas of the country

[kimmicoobug]

I am fairly new to this site, but find it interesting as to what nurses all over the country have to say about the nursing field. My question is: I live in Washington state and attend school here for nursing. I am beginning my RN year, and I am already planning what I will do after I graduate. I am a strong student so I don't think I will fail out over the next year. My family lives in Virginia and I would love to be closer to them. However, I hear that the Northwest has higher payscales than in other parts of the country. Pay is very important to me since I plan on putting my husband through school after I graduate. Here, in this town (maybe pop. 25,000) the hospitals pay $19 and some change to just hired RN. I know in the larger cities they pay more. I don't necessarily feel that I have to move back to Virginia, but I was wondering if those of you who live on the East coast could give me starting pay wages so I can see if I am destined to live out my life in Washington or if I can consider moving in a few years so my kids can be closer to their grandparents.

Thanks to those of you who reply.

[sjoe]

According to the current Business Week, Costco's cashiers who have 4 or more years of experience are paid more than $40,000 plus full benefits.

[TheLionessRN, RN]

I think every one covered it pretty well. You have got to consider cost of living along with travel time and how much it costs you just to go to work. If you are making a larger amt of money per year, but your income tax eats up a bunch of it and you have to pay a huge house payment, etc. it just isn't worth it.