Can someone offer advice in Chicago?

galenanurse2b · Jun 28, 2008

Chicago is a GREAT city! The beauty of it is that there are SO many suburbs around the city as well. Some just like the city on a smaller scale, and some more rural. I think we have something for everyone.

Before nursing I worked in real estate investment downtown, so I might be able to help.

Things to consider; where do you want to live? What kind of dwelling are you interested in? What kind of nursing degree or specialty do you have?

I know nurses do well in the Chicago area. Coming from New York I think Chicago would be a better pick, unless you are looking for a slow paced community without alot of culture. I have been to New York many times, Chicago has just about everything New York does, but it is a much cleaner city, and of course prices are better!

Ciao,

Jen

galenanurse2b · Jun 28, 2008

I got this from Central Dupage Hospital

CDH Offers Flexible Schedules and Competitive Salaries

Full-time and part-time starting rates: $26 to $36.40 based on experience

In-house Registry: $34 to $39 based on commitment hours

Resource Per Diem Pool: $44 (days), $48 (PMs), $52 (nights)

Float Pool: base rate PLUS $5 per hour

Weekender Program: base rate PLUS $8 or $12 per hour based on commitment hours

Four-, eight-, and 12-hour shifts available.

zoggie83 · Jun 29, 2008

Thanks for the advice! I am going to check into that hospital to see what they can offer...

As far as living situation, we have family from Brooklyn that moved out there about 18 years ago that we go visit. They live in Downer's Grove (which is way out of our budget), and own several buildings up in Wrigleyville. We looked at Lakeview and Lincoln Park. While we would love to buy an older rowhouse in the city, I just don't see us in that price range either, so we are going to start out in a 2 or 3 bedroom condo. We looked at a few of them last time we were there and it is MUCH cheaper than NY.

Thanks again for the advice!!!:loveya:

loricatus · Jun 29, 2008

Ok, so I just graduated nursing school here in NYC. My wife graduated a year before me and has been working the past year making 36.50 an hour. She pays 85 dollars a month in Union dues, but that covers health, vision, and dental for the both of us. Base salary comes to about 72,000 before any overtime.
Now my problem...
We both want to leave NY. Just too expensive to buy anything (even making 150,000) since houses in Queens start at 800,000 in a decent neighborhood. Plus my parents have gotten a 1,500 utility bill before!!!! I went on interviews at 3 hospitals in St. Louis (all offered around 20/hr), and 2 jobs in Memphis TN (offered 28.50 w/ 31.50 weekend rate). Memphis job also does "2-for-1" 401K (you put 5% and they add 10%), and pay off my current student loans.
When we speak to hospitals in Chicago (where we would like to move) nobody gives us a salary range, or tells us about benefits.
Now I'm not a greedy person, and money is not why I became a nurse...but I do need to know salary so I know if I can afford to live. If we make 72,000 in NYC, I would think 60,000 would be ample in Chicago.
Could anybody please give some advice? I am considering the job in Memphis, but coming from NY I don't know how happy I will be in such a small city. Thanks in advance for any help somebody might offer...

Have you ever looked into Philadelphia or the surrounding suburbs? Cost of living is a lot better than NYC, pay in the high 20's (average) & only a couple of hour drive from the city.

zoggie83 · Jun 29, 2008

My wife and I both really dislike Philly. If we are going to live in the Northeast, we'd both rather stay in NY. Her brother lives in Lancaster and it is a HOLE!