How much does a RN in SC make?

U.S.A. South Carolina

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I am looking into moving to SC in the next couple of years. I am currently a nurse in CT, I have been a nurse for 2 years. I know I would most likely take a pay cut cos the cost of living is cheaper down there, but what would the best guess of hourly wages.

Specializes in med-surg, teaching, cardiac, priv. duty.

We moved from upstate western NY (outside of buffalo) to the Greenville, SC area about 11 years ago now in 1997. My husband and me are both RN's. My husband was a brand new RN then in 1997, but I was experienced. My initial pay (back then) at a large hospital here in Greenville was a couple dollars more an hour than what I was making in NY. I left the hospital setting in 2004, but my husband is still there. His current pay is high 20's/hr plus shift diff and an extra $8/hr for weekends. (yes, $8.00 extra PER hour for weekends.)

We found the cost of living SIGNIFICANTLY lower here in SC. Some things have gone up in price in the last 11 years (tons of people have moved to this area!) and this has raised some things, but the cost of living is still generally lower.

One MAJOR difference is home property taxes. Taxes are so low here it is laughable. We live in a beautiful 2,500 sq foot home in an upper middle class neighborhood and our yearly tax bill is slightly over $1,000!! Back in NY, the tax bill on this house would be an easy $5,000!! Of course, due to the low taxes, a lot of services suck! The school busing situation is pathetic and most people drive their kids as a result. And, of course, the southern school systems are notorious for their not-so-high standards. (Although, I must say that I think there have been improvements in the last 11 years.) Public school teachers and police officers are paid so little down here it is shameful! I'd be more than willing to pay more taxes to give them better pay.

Electricity is way cheaper. Back in NY we paid about 14 cents a kilowatt hour. Down here we pay about 8 cents a kilowatt hour. SC just about always has the lowest gas prices in the nation. (Right now, 8/27/2008, it is about $3.30 a gallon. Family just told us that gas is still over $4.00 a gallon up there.) We find we spend a lot less money on car repairs because there is so little (really no) snow. In NY you had to regularly have muffler and other repair work done because all the snow and salt literally destroyed the underside of your car. And rusted the body!

There are random things that cost more down here. Like dental care and veterinary care for example! Who knows why...

But the bottom line: Compared to upstate western NY, the pay is good down here (for RN's at least!) and the cost of living lower. So it has been a win-win situation for us! Depending on where you are moving to and from though will make a difference. Other areas of SC are more expensive - like the coastal regions. And I think that upstate, western NY has a particularly high cost of living compared to even other areas of NY. So many things must be taken into consideration.

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I think the pay here is great, I am a new grad and my base pay at a hospital is >21/hr and on weekends we get 8/hr more, plus anything we work from 330-730 pm gets an extra 2.30/hr. I work three days a week (12hr each day) and every other weekend. My pay averages 29/hr with the shift diff and weekend pay increase. I work day shift and I think nights get an extra 1.50/hr or something like that. My husband is a welder and he makes over 24/hr so the pay here in sc is pretty good if you have a good field to work in. the housing market is great for buyers and you get a lot more house for your dollar here.

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Specializes in ER, Pediatrics, Telemetry.

Have you considered going with an agency? Especially if you are relocating from one state to another. I am a traveler and I have lived in SC for 10 years. I get contracts right here in the state right close to my home. The pay is great and because my specialty is ER there is always a need.

If your husband's company is who you use for your health and Dental benefits then this is an added bonus. I live in the Columbia area. My 1 bedroom apt is 629 a month in a gated community. My electric bill is 55 to 80 per month 10 for water.

My hours are guaranteed. I make anywhere between 32 and 35 an hour. I work three nights a week. The area has lots of medical facilities and there are Outpatient surgery centers that need help as well. I will not be without work because I get calls several days per week from agencies needing immediate placement and help.

Good luck in your ventures

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thanks to everyone for the posts on this topic. i myself will be moving down there...probably once the current school year is over for my kids' sake, but may be sooner than planned. i've been trying to reach some of the area hospitals, posted my resumes and have had lots of interest from different health recruiters. the only thing i've heard back from was from mcleod in florence, they said they start at like $23/hr and an extra $3 shift diff.

can i ask what hospital it is that pays the $8/hr diff for weekends? i am an ER nurse now and plan on relocating to the myrlte beach/ charleston area, and just looking at all the diff. hospitals.

also, if i were to choose to work with an agency, do they provide health benefits through them or is the extra $ to provide your own. do you know of any agency/travel companies down that way to help me out. i really appreciate it. thank you!!

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Hi,

Money is good compare to the cost of living. Outside the big city housing is not that expensive. There are smaller towns with a nice and friendly atmosphere. Some hospitals start a new grad RN at about $21.00 dollars/hr. Differential for a 2nd shift varies form one hospital to another: $2,50-$5,00 per hour. Weekend diff. depends on the hospital, too: $7,00-$9,00 dollars/hr.

Gasoline has always been cheaper. Now is $1.69 per gallon. There are plenty of houses for sale at a good price. Summer is hot and humid. Winter is without snow and not that cold.

Hope this helps.:wink2:

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pawashrn

I was browsing through this forum and came across your message and felt the need to respond. I as well am from Pgh (well actually Washington, PA) and have plans to move to Greenville in a year when I graduate! :D I'm currently finishing up my first semester of nursing school in a second degree accelerated program in Arlington, VA.

Would you mind me asking you some questions about the hospital or facility you work at and about Greenville in general?

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Sure,

you can ask me about nursing in the area. I wll be glad to tell you what I know.

:typing

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thanks antonella.

well first, I have a period of about 3 weeks between my summer semester and fall semester and am interested in trying to get either a short externship or shadowing experience at Greenville Memorial. Do you happen to know if anything like that might be available?

Second, when would be a good idea for me to start contacting Greenville hospitals about any possible externships or shadowing and when should I start contacting them about a job (I graduate next December)?

Do any hospitals in the Greenville area offer sign on bonuses for new nurses? And how are the hospitals in general structured there?

Thanks so much. I really appreciate it.

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Hello lnt3,

Perhaps the best time to inquire about anything at Greenville Memorial is in the spring or early summer. It will be closer to your graduation time. That way you can explore any available opportunities that might come across. Look at the Greenville Memorial Hospital website...try google to get to the website, I believe it is www.gmh.org not sure, though. Hot jobs/positions that are hard to fill might pay a sign-in bonus. It is a big hospital and they use travel nurses, too.

Something else...try Spartanburg Regional, too. It is located in Spartanburg which is a big city 30 min. north of Greenville. Spartanburg Regional is a big hospital, too. Last time when I looked they had a lot of positions open for RN's. Also, I think that Spartanburg Regional was the first and only one hospital in the state to use the robotic system DaVinci for cardiothoracic surgeries.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

:typing

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Greenville Memorial's website is http://www.ghs.org

Spartanburg Regional is http://www.srhs.com

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