Arizona nurses- please help!

mittels · Feb 12, 2004

make 52 K a year and bring home around 2100 every 2 weeks.

JMP · Feb 12, 2004

make 52 K a year and bring home around 2100 every 2 weeks.

Thanks Mittles for the reply..... 2100 NET every two weeks....wow, my paycheck is full of deductions for taxes, pension, more taxes and union dues, plus lots of other things.

mittels · Feb 13, 2004

guess i really didnt answer your question in full here it is.

there are @ five percentages that you can select from for az state tax to come out of your pay, this depends on how much you want taken out or have to owe at the end of the year.

Such as 18% tax for az.

this would be 18% of the federal with holding that is taken out of your paycheck, so say they take out 150, depending on your dependents that you clam. I claim 5, me, my spouce, and three children. then your total tax for federal and state would be roughly 27 dollars for az tax and 150 for federal and of course this depends on how much you gross. Does this make sense?

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2004

As a native Arizonan, and a nurse, I would be thrilled to be able to pay union dues, and for a pension!

No such animals in AZ!

JMP · Feb 13, 2004

As a native Arizonan, and a nurse, I would be thrilled to be able to pay union dues, and for a pension!
No such animals in AZ!

Good point.

I think sometimes my view of reality gets swayed by the romantic idea of travel and adventure....and for some reason the state of AZ seems to be pulling me.? Sedona?

Anyways you make a good point. Thanks.

lomid · Feb 22, 2004

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.

Good point.
I think sometimes my view of reality gets swayed by the romantic idea of travel and adventure....and for some reason the state of AZ seems to be pulling me.? Sedona?
Anyways you make a good point. Thanks.

JMP · Feb 22, 2004

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.

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

lomid · Feb 22, 2004

You're most welcome JMP. I am in Manitoba - Winnipeg.

With backgrounds in ICU and Dialysis you should have numerous opportunities available to you. I have not worked at UMC, but had several friends who did and they always claimed that it was a wonderful place to work. I worked at TMC and El Dorado Hospital; as a Nurse Manager for a medical rehab facility; and did Case Management duties in Home Care. I thoroughly enjoyed each position that I had and the variety of duties that they encompassed. My last ward position was at El Dorado Hospital and, while the wages were a little lower, the "team" spirit and family feel was outstanding - it was a great place to work. TMC was my "first" nursing position and so, I will always hold it dear to me - they provided me with the best nursing preceptor imaginable - I think she should win an award! At any rate, she made all the difference to my "start" in nursing. This experience, alone, I found to be totally different than anything I ever experienced in Canada. And I am not saying that we don't have great nurses here - we just are short of the resources to provide this kind of "one-on-one" experience to the same degree.

I am 48 and still day-dreaming that I will go back to Tucson someday ;0) I miss it so much. I wish you the very best of luck with your plans and a big "congratulations" on your upcoming graduation.

And again, if you would like to know anything further, please don't hesitate to let me know. Take Care.

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

JMP · Feb 22, 2004

You're most welcome JMP. I am in Manitoba - Winnipeg.
With backgrounds in ICU and Dialysis you should have numerous opportunities available to you. I have not worked at UMC, but had several friends who did and they always claimed that it was a wonderful place to work. I worked at TMC and El Dorado Hospital; as a Nurse Manager for a medical rehab facility; and did Case Management duties in Home Care. I thoroughly enjoyed each position that I had and the variety of duties that they encompassed. My last ward position was at El Dorado Hospital and, while the wages were a little lower, the "team" spirit and family feel was outstanding - it was a great place to work. TMC was my "first" nursing position and so, I will always hold it dear to me - they provided me with the best nursing preceptor imaginable - I think she should win an award! At any rate, she made all the difference to my "start" in nursing. This experience, alone, I found to be totally different than anything I ever experienced in Canada. And I am not saying that we don't have great nurses here - we just are short of the resources to provide this kind of "one-on-one" experience to the same degree.
I am 48 and still day-dreaming that I will go back to Tucson someday ;0) I miss it so much. I wish you the very best of luck with your plans and a big "congratulations" on your upcoming graduation.
And again, if you would like to know anything further, please don't hesitate to let me know. Take Care.

Thanks again. Can I ask you about healthcare costs? You mentioned in your first message that take home was about the same---if you took healthcare costs into consideration----are healthcare costs not covered by employment? That was my understanding---but obviously you would know for sure.

Also what is your opinion on Flagstaff? Did you get up there?

How did you find the heat in the summer---more tolerable than our winters???

What about safety? Did you feel safe---violence? guns? culture shock?

What type of nursing are you doing now? Do you see yourself going back?

I was quoted a 5000 moving allowance, a sign on and about 22 dollars an hour.

Sound right to you?

Sorry for all the questions but so happy to talk to someone who has actuallly done it!

Thanks again---- JMP

JMP · Feb 22, 2004

You're most welcome JMP. I am in Manitoba - Winnipeg.
With backgrounds in ICU and Dialysis you should have numerous opportunities available to you. I have not worked at UMC, but had several friends who did and they always claimed that it was a wonderful place to work. I worked at TMC and El Dorado Hospital; as a Nurse Manager for a medical rehab facility; and did Case Management duties in Home Care. I thoroughly enjoyed each position that I had and the variety of duties that they encompassed. My last ward position was at El Dorado Hospital and, while the wages were a little lower, the "team" spirit and family feel was outstanding - it was a great place to work. TMC was my "first" nursing position and so, I will always hold it dear to me - they provided me with the best nursing preceptor imaginable - I think she should win an award! At any rate, she made all the difference to my "start" in nursing. This experience, alone, I found to be totally different than anything I ever experienced in Canada. And I am not saying that we don't have great nurses here - we just are short of the resources to provide this kind of "one-on-one" experience to the same degree.
I am 48 and still day-dreaming that I will go back to Tucson someday ;0) I miss it so much. I wish you the very best of luck with your plans and a big "congratulations" on your upcoming graduation.
And again, if you would like to know anything further, please don't hesitate to let me know. Take Care.

Can I be so bold as to ask a few more questions....What did you love about living in AZ- and what did you not like as much??

Is there a specific area you would recommend living in---I have read East Tucson is the better side of town??

Would recommend a hourse- or apartment to rent??

Again---flooding you with questions...... appreciate any info JMP THANKS- you are great to share your info and experience!

lomid · Feb 23, 2004

Hi JMP:

Don't want to make the bulletin board too long for everyone else - so I will send you a "private message" - please look there.

Talk to you soon.

Thanks again. Can I ask you about healthcare costs? You mentioned in your first message that take home was about the same---if you took healthcare costs into consideration----are healthcare costs not covered by employment? That was my understanding---but obviously you would know for sure.
Also what is your opinion on Flagstaff? Did you get up there?
How did you find the heat in the summer---more tolerable than our winters???
What about safety? Did you feel safe---violence? guns? culture shock?
What type of nursing are you doing now? Do you see yourself going back?
I was quoted a 5000 moving allowance, a sign on and about 22 dollars an hour.
Sound right to you?
Sorry for all the questions but so happy to talk to someone who has actuallly done it!
Thanks again---- JMP