Best state/city to be a nurse?

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I still have 2 years left before I am done with school, but my wife and I are considering moving to another state if the pay is substantially better (as a nurse) than where I currently live (Knoxville TN).

I am aware that places like N.Y. or Cali pay considerably more than most, but they also have a considerably higher cost of living which may offset any pay increase I might see. Knoxville is good as far as cost of living, but starting out I will probably make less than a lot of other places (18-20 an hour for a beginning nurse). Texas seems to have a good mix of higher pay with a good cost of living and housing that is decently priced.

Anyhow, any advice would be appreciated.

Also, on a side note. I have read that if you work grave yard you will make 3-4 bucks more an hour. Is that accurate?

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I live in Knoxville too, but went to nursing school in Georgia where my family was to get help with my kids. As a new grad here in south Georgia, I make $24.63 on days. Nights is an additional $3 an hour. Makes it hard for me to want to come back to Tennessee, lol. Cost of living is just as cheap as east Tennessee.

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Specializes in CVICU, CCRN.

Hello! I'm still a senior, but I've heard from friends who graduated say that they make between the range of $33 - 35 starting in Northern NJ! With an additional extra $3/hr after a year of experience. :) Hope I could be of some help.

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