Pay scales in South Carolina for RN

U.S.A. South Carolina

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Lori, my family moved to Charleston, SC ten years ago from Beverly, MA. I have to tell you that after ten years I'm finally making what I earned at Salem Hospital when I left! I work for Roper St. Francis Healthcare which is comprised of Roper Hospital and St. Francis Hospital and all their free standing facilities. The other major employer, in the area, is the Medical University Hospital. All facilities are always hiring but there is no major shortage. Staffing is quite good.

Charleston is a beautiful city but don't be fooled into believing it's inexpensive to live here. Yes, car insurance and property taxes are lower but food and clothing cost the same and they are all subject to a 6% sales tax. Housing is expensive although less than in the North. Public education is sorely lacking in comparison to MA so you might want to consider private schools if you have school-age children. If you would like me to to get contacts for you at either facility I would be happy too.

Hi Sea Island,

I too worked at Salem Hospital (Now North Shore Medical Center) for 15 years in the OR. We are now looking in the Conway SC area. It is very nice and the property is inexpensive. We can sell our home here in Peabody, MA and have a VERY SMALL mortgage and a very large house with lots of land. This winter was VERY tough. We got to -15 below zero. So we're packing up when we can find a house and/or land. Taxachusetts is getting too expensive!! Thanks for the reply on Charleston. We may look there as well. Do you have an accent yet? Or still have that Bawston accent??

Thanks for the reply..........Lori

I am a supervisor where I work in Myrtle Beach, and deal with not just nurses, but also other allied health professionals as well. I think many people who want to relocate here are very surprised that the pay many be substantially less than they are used to elsewhere in the country, and that the cost of living is really not that much cheaper. I have lived in Charleston, SC and Beaufort, SC also and find the situation to be much the same it those areas. Having said that, it is really just a matter of priorities. SC is a beautiful and wonderful place to live, but you might have to have a smaller house or change your lifestyle somewhat to accomodate the change. Also, health care is not as progressive here in general as some other places (with some exceptions in the larger cities). You may have to reevaluate your career objectives, and be more flexible about where you work.

My friend is working part-time in Ohio at a LTC. She lives close to the border of WV and Ohio. I know she is planning a trip down there soon and plans to look around seriously. I do not think "down-sizing" would be too big a problem to her, but I know she feels very independent and wants to work.

I guess my question really is will her age effect her chances for employment down there as much as it seems to effect it here. She told me she was going to look everywhere she could this time, but other than nursing, she has no job experience.

The Waccamaw Community Hospital is expanding with 2 new wings opeing this month if your interested in the Acute setting, It's located just a few miles south of Myrtle beach, check out their web site.

Sunflower,

Thanks for the info. I will call my friend and tell her about this facility. I am sure she would be interested in acute care if they do not feel she is too old. She used to work med/surg then moved because of hubby's job. There was a nasty divorce a few years ago, so I know she is really wanting to get closer to her son and his family. She was a good nurse when we worked together, dependable and trustworthy.

Specializes in Critical Care, M/S, Post partum, Ortho.

Yes indeed the pay scale for RN's in SC is a lot lower than in MA. It has taken me 14 years of raises to match what I was making in 1994 at Salem Hospital! On the other hand, moving from the north to the south gave us a definite advantage in buying a more expensive home and our real estate taxes and automobile insurance are much lower here.

I worked at a community hospital 25 minutes east of Columbia. With 5 years experience, I was only making $22.40 / hr. Was a low blow after moving there from Ohio!

What is the starting pay differnece between a RN with a bachelors or an Associates? Trying to decide if I should go for the Bachelors. I live in the upstate SC, but I am willing to locate.

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