advice for young nurse

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Specializes in ER/Trauma/Critical Care.

Hey everyone,

I'll be graduating with my BSN in one year and am contemplating the vast number of options that are out there. I have considered moving to SF, California (b/c i have family there and love the area), joining the military and working for Indian Health Service.

I know there are pros and cons to all of these...for SF obviously the expense. A lot of people seem to think that i can not make it out there on a nurse's salary. Is this true? is it impossible to find a small apartment in the city that's affordable? And what about the military/IHS? If any nurses/new grads could offer any insite about good options for a new grad, I'd really be grateful. basically i am just looking for some excitement and adventure, as I am young, single and am tired of living in the boring midwest!!

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Hey everyone,

I'll be graduating with my BSN in one year and am contemplating the vast number of options that are out there. I have considered moving to SF, California (b/c i have family there and love the area), joining the military and working for Indian Health Service.

I know there are pros and cons to all of these...for SF obviously the expense. A lot of people seem to think that i can not make it out there on a nurse's salary. Is this true? is it impossible to find a small apartment in the city that's affordable? And what about the military/IHS? If any nurses/new grads could offer any insite about good options for a new grad, I'd really be grateful. basically i am just looking for some excitement and adventure, as I am young, single and am tired of living in the boring midwest!!

I'm not a new nurse, but I can offer some insight about working in CA. This state is among the highest-paying for nurses, if not THE highest paying, but apartments in SF can run well over $1000 for a one-bedroom. You can make it on a nurse's salary, just not sure if SF would be the place to do that.

Don't consider the military unless you're willing to take the risks of being in a combat zone and are willing to commit at least 4 years of your life to it. No such thing as changing your mind after a few months because it wasn't what you thought.

Whatever you choose, good luck to you!

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Specializes in NICU.

My sister-in-law just moved to San Francisco with her boyfriend...

She's a new grad physical therapist making about $60,000 a year. He's working as a paralegal but I don't know what he makes. But together, they're probably making more than a new nurse does...

Together, they can barely afford their tiny 1-bedroom apartment in San Francisco.

Just what I hear...

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Hey everyone,

I'll be graduating with my BSN in one year and am contemplating the vast number of options that are out there. I have considered moving to SF, California (b/c i have family there and love the area), joining the military and working for Indian Health Service.

I know there are pros and cons to all of these...for SF obviously the expense. A lot of people seem to think that i can not make it out there on a nurse's salary. Is this true? is it impossible to find a small apartment in the city that's affordable? And what about the military/IHS? If any nurses/new grads could offer any insite about good options for a new grad, I'd really be grateful. basically i am just looking for some excitement and adventure, as I am young, single and am tired of living in the boring midwest!!

Stay in school, get your PA-C, and be the primary caregiver for an Indian reservation. You will handle the farming accidents where someone loses a leg due to industrial equipment to a diabetic, you will deliver babies, you will be everything. You're it, the primary caregiver. BTW... the fed govt will pay for your education from BSN to PA-C.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma/Critical Care.

What does a PA-c mean??

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Don't consider the military unless you're willing to take the risks of being in a combat zone and are willing to commit at least 4 years of your life to it. No such thing as changing your mind after a few months because it wasn't what you thought.

Whatever you choose, good luck to you!

This bears repeating....from a vetaran and military spouse myself. Be really, really sure you are aware of what you take on, joining the military, whether active, reserve or guard.

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