Any Nurses From Chattanooga out there?

I love the area over there. A great size city..not too big but plenty to offer..lots of pretty scenery, nice downtown, the aquarium. I don't plan to move soon but it's on my possible list for down the road. My plan would be to do a weekender in Atlanta or Nashville. AFAIK Erlanger doesn't have weekender if I remember correctly. The new grad pay was like $17/hr compared to 20-22 in West TN where we have about the lowest cost of living in the state.

As an area resident for 8+ years (and with the same organization for 7 or them), I would suggest one of the "big three" systems for employment: Parkridge, Memorial or Erlanger. If you like teaching hospitals, go for Erlanger. If a for-profit works for you, then Parkridge. If a faith-based system is your cup of tea, then Memorial. Everyone in the area has their perceptions of the various facilities, some good, some bad.

Pay for direct patient care doesn't vary too much from one facility to another. We also have 3 insurance companies who employ nurses: BCBS, Cigna & Unum. Opportunities abound. It just depends on what you want to do, what kind of bennies you're looking to receive & what hours you want to work. Chances are, it's available.

Good luck to you!

I've lived in Chattanooga all my life and am in nursing school at the moment, but I've heard good things about the area hospitals. My best friend is an RN at Erlanger (trama I believe) and makes around $34/hr if I remember correctly. She's been out of school 2yrs now.

I just relocated to Chattanooga and am finding it very difficult to find a job. There are lots of jobs posted and I've applied with the "big 3" but things seem to move very slowly here. I have over 2.5 years PICU experience (among other experience) and my app has been "in route" with the only PICU in the area for over 3 weeks. I have moved several times in the past (with less experience) and had greater ease finding employment. I do not want to have to commute to Atlanta for work. I guess I'll just have to be patient for a little while longer.

I understand your frustration. Things do tend to move slowly with that hospital's HR department. I experienced the same thing when I applied with them. I just applied for a position at that facility & I'm wondering what the "wait time" will be for me?

Welcome to the area & good luck! Feel free to PM me if you like...I've been in the area for several years & remember all too well what it's like to be a newbie here.