Looking to relocate to wisconsin

[admorn03]

I am looking to relocate to madison and am not sure if it would be a good move or not. I lived in minnesota for ten years and have moved back to Illinois to save money. I am not happy with the nursing situation here. I work nights right now and most of the positions here that are nights the nurses care for up to ten patients and I do not feel that this is safe. A lot of people don't realize that there is still alot going on at night on a med/surg unit. most of the patients are elderly, so with that comes dementia and alzheimers. People getting out of bed and restraints to deal with this. My question is how is it there in madison and is the pay good? I have my 2 year RN degree and have been a nurse for 2 years. Minnesota was an excellent place to raise my children who both have ADHD ages 10 and 5 years. I want to be someplace that has good schools and also with good diversity. Both of my boys are biracial (black and white) and diversity is important to me. What is the patient load like there? Does the cost of living match the pay?

Any ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[likatutata]

madison and milwaukee are both great places to be. i prefer madison...small-town feel, medium sized city. but both are diverse, with plenty of great nightlife and activities, festivals, concerts, etc etc etc. unfortunately, i have NO IDEA what salaries are like there. i'm relocating in about a year to go to MATC in madison. wisconsinites are by nature kind and "jolly" types (as described by my boyfriend who visits from out of state). you'd fare well here. also, i disagree with rn/writer when they said that WI is red outside of madison and milwaukee...i've lived in portage, door, and brown counties and our local officials have been democrats since i've been able to vote (2000). but, it's all subjective i guess. :)

[lilmeeper123]

Been in WI most of my life and would not change it. I have attempted to live in other states but am always coming home to Wisconsin. I am from the Lake Geneva area (SE) and love being out in the middle of nowhere. If I need to go to Milwaukee or Madison it doesn't take too long. I also travel up to the Northwoods to spend some relaxing time with family and friends. There is so much to do in this state that is only a car ride away.

As for a union - in SE Wisonsin I am only familiar with one hospital that is part of a big entity out here. Otherwise most of the places to work are pretty good - pay is good and like everyone else stated - Taxes are high.