moving from Charlotte, NC to Tulsa, OK?

whatnext · Nov 12, 2008

Anyone? I can't believe no one has any input on Tulsa.

RNinOK · Nov 18, 2008

Hi,

Starting pay in tulsa for new grads nights is 17 to 18 hr plus diffs, nights 2.25 weekends 3.00 (general range can be a couple dollars more) so you should be around minimum of 20 hour for night shift with every other weekend. I travel nurse now because Oklahoma is so low paying, St Francis isn't what it used to be either heard that the got knocked down a trauma level , friends work there as nurses and leaving in droves for St. John's which is very political and cliquey but trying for Magnet status I think, Hillcrest is nice but not a big trauma hospital so if that's your thing you won't be happy, but they do have a nationally recognized burn unit just be prepared for the culture shock in nursing compared to big cities like Charlotte. Hope this helps.:nuke:

mimi55 · Nov 18, 2008

I moved from Houston, Tx to Tulsa many years ago. Culture Shock! I worked at Hillcrest and kicked myself many times for signing a contract with them for 2 yrs. I might have been happier had I worked at St. John's or St. Francis. Who knows. I did not care for Hillcrest esp. the OR. I left surgery to go to IV therapy which was better b/c I could float all over the hospital. I left after 2 yrs moved to KS. Came back to OKC. after 2 yrs. and have been here since. I like the landscape in Tulsa it is beautiful green lush with rolling hills. Especially outskirts but it is very congested with traffic. My sis lives there and we have so much fun when I go to visit lots of cool things to do. As far as hospitals go I have been called to do a travel assig. at St. Johns in OR had to turn down for now. My sis had a heart cath there the facility is nice nurses seem happy but the parking was a night mare. St. Francis is pretty but I don't know anything about work conditions now. I use to hear positive things like staffing is good work conditions good. I have heard good things about Southcrest. The economy is great compared to other states. Housing and utilities are cheaper. I found the gas, food and clothing to be similar in pricing when I was in California. There is no Trader Joe's or Whole Foods but Tulsa has Wild Oats they are alot more expensive than Trader Joe's. I just asked my husband if he could live anywhere else in the country where would he like to go he said N or S Carolina. He didn't know I was responding to this. So there ya go. Hope this helps some and good luck with your adventure:wink2:

kevokie · Dec 5, 2008

Hey there, I'm not sure if I can help or not, but here is my $0.02 for what it's worth. Currently, I live in Tulsa. I work as a Paramedic in another town but frequent the hospitals in Tulsa. IMO, St. Johns seems to be where it's at right now. I don't know the pay. Next I would go with Southcrest, then St. Francis. St. Francis is always busy...always. Of course, the hospitals in Tulsa are all busy. I personally do not care for Hillcrest and OSUMC. I just don't. You may also try the outlying towns such as Sapulpa and Owasso as they have smaller hospitals there. I believe that Broken Arrow is going to have a hospital one of these days. There are definately good places to work out there. I myself am planning on bridging to nursing in the very near future. Good luck.

lever5 · Dec 5, 2008

Well , you won't like the barbecue here, nothing like NC. It is hot in the summer and cold in the winter. We have the cheapest gas prices throughout the US. I work at Southcrest, I have listened to nurse's talking about the bad pay at St. Francis, I think St John's is ok, I did a contract there, they are more nurse friendly there, but a lot of nurse political nonsense. I don't know about the pay there. The ICU at southcrest does wonderful with open heart, they have thier own way that seems to work well. Different than in NC. I lived in NC for 25 years, Greenville, Raliegh areas. Getting a job will not be a problem. Good Luck!!

whatnext · Dec 12, 2008

Thanks for the replies. My husband and I visited Tulsa for 4 days the week before Thanksgiving, and he's been living there since the end of Nov. I'm stuck packing and working out my final days here in NC. I have a job at St Francis in the CICU. I hope I made the right decision, as it sounds like St Johns might be better? Everyone seemed very friendly at St Francis (but I guess they always do in interviews). I'm not signing any contracts, so I guess I can always find another job if it's too bad.

I am originally from Wisconsin and Minnesota, so I think the culture shock was worse when we moved to NC, esp when we moved to Dallas, NC, a small little town outside of Charlotte. Lever5, the barbecue in NC was so different from the Midwest, but I like the midwest style better.

I'll be there starting in Jan. Looking forward to a new adventure!

mikeLPN2RN · Dec 14, 2008

ahh wish i would have read this sooner would have talked you into coming to MICU on the 4th floor =) i lived in charlotte for a while then moved back here. St Francis has treated me well so far. i have been here about 3 months now. anyways hope your move go's well. be safe

MSNorBUST · Dec 20, 2008

Please don't take this the wrong way, I lived in Fayetteville NC from 1997-2003 and as a LPN I was making $20-$22/hour, now I am not sure about Tulsa but I live in Lawton right now and RN (which I am now) in hospitals make about $23/hr fresh out of school. Trust me Oklahoma is wayyyyy lower than NC

mikeLPN2RN · Dec 20, 2008

i lived in Charlotte and work at the county jail made 15ish as a LPN. moved to Tulsa for school went to work in occupational heath making 19 ish. finished school ( got my RN ) and went to work at St Francis. the counted some of my LPN exp as RN and my starting base was a little over 20. that being said rent is cheaper here =) don't have to jump through hoops to get you car tagged. etc .. i did like Charlotte more i think though. more stuff to do.

Ciale · Feb 10, 2009

Never been to Tulsa. I used to live in Charlotte for a couple years. I miss it so much! People are great here in OKC, don't get me wrong...but Charlotte is so pretty. The trees, the distinctive seasons, the sweet tea (they don't make it here like they do in charlotte), there's no good music scene or places like north davidson.

Sorry, just had to take my trip down memory lane. I hope Tulsa is treating you well.

whatnext · Feb 24, 2009

Well, I've been in Tulsa for almost 2 months, and just started at Saint Francis a few weeks ago. So far so good. I miss Charlotte more than I thought I would, but everyone here seems really nice and friendly.

mikeLPN2RN--Are you liking MICU? I interviewed in MICU, STICU, and CICU, decided to go with CICU.