Arizona nurses- please help!

U.S.A. Arizona

Published

In my quest to make the right decison, I need to ask some questions.... I know I have asked alot....but can someone tell me..

What is the tax base in AZ like- if you are a RN making 20-22 dollars an hour.... what is your take home pay? What do you actually see every two weeks. Even if you are making more hourly money...can someone tell me what they end up with. We are heavily taxed here in Canada and I need some idea what the end result of wages will be.

Right now I am making about 26 dollars an hour and every two weeks take home about 1200 dollars------- taxes, pension plan, union dues.

What is the rent like? I am asking specifically now about Tucson or Flagstaff. I need info on both..... anything appreciated.....

Thanks

JMP

Hi JMP: Just wanted to let you know - I am a Canadian nurse who graduated here and then moved to Tucson to nurse, from 1993 to 2000. I moved back to Canada then, for family reasons and have nursed here since. There is not a day that goes by that I don't miss Tucson - I just loved it there and would return in a heartbeat. The style of living - just everything about it was terrific. The nursing, in general, I found to be wonderful and progressive. I don't know where in Canada you are, but, where I am - not one single thing had changed in the 7 years that I was gone. As far as wages, etc. - well, I find it to be relative - we have unions, but profound taxes. It seemed that the net pay cheque in Tucson was not much different than in Canada - however, rather than tax, you are paying for health care. If you would like any more information, please don't hesitate to contact me.

I saw your message from a couple months ago and I was wondering if you could help me with a few questions. I will be a new Saskatchewan graduate with my BSN in December and I am looking to movie to Arizona to work. I was wondering about the pay scale and about health insurance costs. Does the employer pay for health insurance? If not, how much on average would I have to pay. I am a single female with no dependents. From what I have been reading, it sounds as though it would not be a good idea to move there. My parents are frequent visitors in the winter months and so I thought it would be a great place to go and start my career. I am also a bit confused about pension plans, and RSP's (not sure what they are called there). How do these things work in the US? If you could share a bit of info with me I would be so thankful.

Renee

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank you thank you thank you for your reply! I am so happy to hear from you. I am in Ontario- Kingston to be exact. I work between ICU and the dialysis unit. I am almost finished by BSN- will be done in November of this year---yippie!!

I am 47 and hubby is 58.... so we are thinking of going next year---obviously he can't work in AZ- and I am happy to be able to have the chance for the adventure and excitement of nursing in another culture-enviroment.

Did you work at UMC? I have spoken to the nurse recruiter there and it seems to be a great place to work....... she talked to me about being a "clincal leader"---- but at the same time I also spoke to a recruiter in Flagstaff---- and Flagstaff greatly appeals to my husband since it is not a big American city ( as he puts it) and it reminds both of us of "home".

I am not sure what to do about all of this------ I have only been nursing three years but have critical care background ( and a one year critical care diploma) ACLS, TNCC, PALS and critical care certification and extensive dialysis training.......what is your opinion?

I thank you so much again for responding!! JMP

If you apply for and get a green card instead of going under a NAFTA Visa, then you husband would also get a green card and be able to work. You may want to check into that. Especially if you aren't going to be done with school until December. You have enough time to get that done. If you have more questions about this please let me know.................

:balloons:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Renee:

I would be happy to answer any questions that I might be able to help you with :) Unfortunately, it has been four years since I have lived in Arizona - so I am uncertain as to what their wage scales are like now - but I am sure you will find that they vary from facility to facility. I frequently visit the employment ads and the hospital websites there, and it appears that they are in the $22 - $26/hour range right now - however, this may very well be for the experienced nurses. Given that you will be a new grad, this may or may not vary - and then again, you will have a BSN, rather than Diploma, so you may have more bargaining power. From my experience, the health care was always a shared cost between employee and employer - again, the proportions vary amongst the facilities. If I recall, I was seeing approximately $75 - $100 bi-weekly taken off my cheque - however, mine was a "family" rate - so, for sure, yours would be less. I believe that 401K's would be the equivalent of our RSP's (I believe there are also many other new ones now) - unfortunately, I know little about them. Depending on where you work, you usually have to be there for a set period of time before you can enroll. As far as moving there - I would have little in the way of negative thoughts to share with you - I absolutely loved it there!! The nursing experience was fantastic - so I would probably be the first to tell you to GO FOR IT . . . I hope that this is helpful to you and if I can be of any further assistance, please don't hesitate to let me know.:cool:

I saw your message from a couple months ago and I was wondering if you could help me with a few questions. I will be a new Saskatchewan graduate with my BSN in December and I am looking to movie to Arizona to work. I was wondering about the pay scale and about health insurance costs. Does the employer pay for health insurance? If not, how much on average would I have to pay. I am a single female with no dependents. From what I have been reading, it sounds as though it would not be a good idea to move there. My parents are frequent visitors in the winter months and so I thought it would be a great place to go and start my career. I am also a bit confused about pension plans, and RSP's (not sure what they are called there). How do these things work in the US? If you could share a bit of info with me I would be so thankful.

Renee

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I read this thread with interest as my wife and I are relocating to Tucson AZ in July '04. We would like any information that anyone would be kind enough to give, including their favorite places to eat, see a movie, shop etc.

thanks in advance for the help

Up Vote Up Vote ×

edrnmike.....good luck! I asked for help a long time ago and got no responses so I'm looking forward to seeing if you receive some. We are thinking of moving to Tucson in the summer of '06, after I graduate. I was trying to get info. comparing Tucson and Phoenix .... what made you decide on Tucson?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When my wife and I lived in the NE Tucson area back in 2000, we lived in the foothills area near Sabino Canyon and Kolb. A nice area with excellent schools and some natural wild life that comes down the mountain like javalina, bobcats, and the like.

There are some small scale restaurants in the area, I think one was called Risky Business. We would go to the Tack Room, a 4 or 5 star place once a year, for the Valentine's day special. There were also some good sushi places too. Restaurant row is Tanque Verde which is just down the hill.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
edrnmike.....good luck! I asked for help a long time ago and got no responses so I'm looking forward to seeing if you receive some. We are thinking of moving to Tucson in the summer of '06, after I graduate. I was trying to get info. comparing Tucson and Phoenix .... what made you decide on Tucson?
Originally it was because it was a Triad Facility of which I am an employee in Tulsa, Ok. However, my wife got a position in CVICU and the position I applied for was taken before I got my app in. So now I am going to go with a travel agency, which is actually going to work out better, since I do not have to worry about getting housing, deposits, etc. We are both looking forward to living in Tucson and having a great time.

Good luck in school, although it is a long grind, it is rewarding in the end

Up Vote Up Vote ×
When my wife and I lived in the NE Tucson area back in 2000, we lived in the foothills area near Sabino Canyon and Kolb. A nice area with excellent schools and some natural wild life that comes down the mountain like javalina, bobcats, and the like.

There are some small scale restaurants in the area, I think one was called Risky Business. We would go to the Tack Room, a 4 or 5 star place once a year, for the Valentine's day special. There were also some good sushi places too. Restaurant row is Tanque Verde which is just down the hill.

Thanks for the reply, I will keep it mind, we are printing all of the reccomendations and hope to try them all (I don't know about the sushi though!)

Thanks again

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I lived in Tucson back in 1997, for just a couple months, I worked at a middle eastern restaurant. I cannot remember where it was or the name of it (could find it if I was there I'm sure) but it was really inexpensive and had a nice, casual atmosphere. That's one thing I specifically loved there....the food.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

I am enjoying the conversation about Tucson. My husband is from southern Calif and misses the desert. Our winters here in northern Arkansas are pretty yucky being bleak, wet and cold. We are planning to take a travel assignment this winter in Tucson to take a break from the cold and see some sunshine. I understand from other travellers that TMC is very traveller friendly. Maybe we can all see each other this winter and enjoy the warmth!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am enjoying the conversation about Tucson. My husband is from southern Calif and misses the desert. Our winters here in northern Arkansas are pretty yucky being bleak, wet and cold. We are planning to take a travel assignment this winter in Tucson to take a break from the cold and see some sunshine. I understand from other travellers that TMC is very traveller friendly. Maybe we can all see each other this winter and enjoy the warmth!
That would be nice, possibly try one of the eating establishments that are reccomended on this site
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am an expatriate from Canada. I am never going back. I love it here in Phoenix. I have a great job in a large hospital system. I found the wage increase to be fantastic and the sign on bonus incredible! I will gladly pay taxes in the US any day compared to the 50% they take off my cheque in Canada. Better yet i have paid off all my canadian loans using US dollars - it sure makes it go quicker. Summer is a drag and i feel incarcerated for about 90 days. Other than that I love it all year round. I ride my bike to work all winter - try that in Vancouver and see how much Gortex you need! I also apreciate the extra money i get from the hospital to attend Universtiy of Phoenix and i am currently working on my MBA. I have found lots of opportunity here in Phoenix. I love driving up to Sedona for the day - going on a hike, having lunch and being home in the afternoon. I also am loving the 15% shift diff i get for these long nights.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment