Advise on RN salary in relation to cost of living, stable area, relocating help!

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Hi everyone!

I am new to this board, as far as posting. I usually read this daily! Addictive site! I am currently an RN in Oct, a year now, and in my Bachelor's to be done in 5 months. I am in Lee County Florida and making $21.50/hour and just found out our hospital system is going on a wage freeze and benefits will be going up. Cost of living is way up as well. Salary stays the same. I am looking to move. I have no opportunity to get into an internship into the ICU right now and that is what I need. Critical care experience and I need to get in asap. My goal is CRNA. I am currently an RN on a busy Med Surg Tele unit and 6:1 ratio. It's busy. I have a 5 year old and I am looking for the best state to move to. Anyone have info on what you get paid and what state you live in, if you have done research in this area before and can enlighten me on what else is out there...I'm looking to move where it is a good place to raise a child, the most an hour I can get as an RN, if anyone knows if there are any ICU internships, or where they may pay relocation costs and sign on bonuses.

Im willing to try anywhere. It's time to move on for us.

Thank you SO much in advance for your time and answering.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

States are huge geographic areas, made up of multiple markets & population centers. I don't think there is a "best state"

Since your goal is CRNA, I'd focus on those areas that have the schools. Ideally, find a position where the school & the hospital is one & the same.

There a bunch of cost of living comparison calculators where you can compare apples to apples. For example, I know that Boston is much more expensive than Chicago, while Louisville or Indianapolis is notably lower.

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Hi there,

Thank you for your post. I'm actually from Chicago and lived there 26 Years. I've been in Fla for 7 years and its discouraging to know we have the top rated county for unemployment and foreclosures. It's very upsetting to also know that the system I work for owns all of the hospitals in the area. I'm in a standstill. So I'm just trying to get ideas where others are and what they make and if it is a good area as a single parent to raise kids.

Thank u

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Dialysis, Hospice.

I live in SE Michigan and make $34/hr. base pay + just under $2/hr. shift differential for working nights as a contingent Med/Surg float nurse in a mid-sized community hospital.

This area is filled with small, safe, family-oriented towns--cornfields, Friday night football, county fairs, etc. The COL isn't all that bad here, especially as compared to places like New England or the west coast.

I have been an RN for 21 years, and I don't have my BSN, just lots of experience.

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Thank you for the reply! 21 years? wow!!! Awesome. I know they give great shift diffs for nights...I get $21.50 for days and $27.50, if I worked nights...I'm trying to get out of Florida...so I am keeping my options open as to where to go.

Thank you

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