Cost of Living on a Nurse Salary

mclennan, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2013

I moved to L.A. 7 years ago as a new grad but had a 4 year scholarship contract job waiting for me. Since I finished it, I've stayed here & worked 3 different jobs - clinic, HH and now case management. Hospital jobs are INSANELY competitive in the L.A. area but your BSN & experience will help. I think you'll definitely find a job here. Make sure you're also ACLS/BLS/PALS certified, and, if you can, get ANCC certification in a specialty. That will pretty much lock you in at the top of many recruiter's lists! Also, think outside the hospital box. Lots of jobs in community clinics, in case management (my company is hiring NOW), etc. are available.

L.A. is expensive, no doubt about it. You can still find a decent studio apartment in a safe neighborhood for about $1200/mo. Anything nicer will be $1500 and up. Car expenses are high, you want good insurance here.

I make around $50/hr., work downtown and live West side and do just fine. (It helps that I have 3 ANCC certifications and 7 years experience). I'm able to afford a decent place, pay my bills/pay down debt, sock away savings, have a dog, and take vacations. BUT - I don't buy stupid crap - I don't waste money on expensive shoes, jewelry, fancy clothes, cable TV, gym memberships or eating out all the time. I pack my lunch every day, cook at home, exercise by walking the dog and biking at the beach. I rent Redbox movies for a buck, & watch cable shows online. I shop at Costco & the farmer's market. I buy drugstore makeup and clothes on sale. My biggest money drains are my dog (she gets the best of everything) and my car (bought new 2 years ago and I baby it). I also have a weakness for good wine and fancy cheese but force myself to only buy as a treat once in a while.

You can do great in L.A. on a nursing salary if you have your poop together, good priorities and don't get caught up in all the BS L.A. can offer. You don't need gym memberships, Botox, a BMW, $18 cocktails, or valet parking. You don't need Louboutins, tinted windows or a $350 haircut. You don't need to max out your Platinum card. It's totally possible to be comfy here on an RN salary if you're smart about it!

JRich · Jun 22, 2013

Oh that is perfect!! I am already paying over $1,200 in rent here in Houston, TX (I hate Texas) I am not into all those fancy high priced things. I have a new car I just bought a year ago. No need for an expensive BMW or anything like that. I am ACLS/BLS/NRP/ and STABLE certified. I will look into ANCC certification too. Thank you so much for all the info, that really helps me out a lot!

DaisyWinter · Jun 24, 2013

I moved to L.A. 7 years ago as a new grad but had a 4 year scholarship contract job waiting for me. Since I finished it, I've stayed here & worked 3 different jobs - clinic, HH and now case management. Hospital jobs are INSANELY competitive in the L.A. area but your BSN & experience will help. I think you'll definitely find a job here. Make sure you're also ACLS/BLS/PALS certified, and, if you can, get ANCC certification in a specialty. That will pretty much lock you in at the top of many recruiter's lists! Also, think outside the hospital box. Lots of jobs in community clinics, in case management (my company is hiring NOW), etc. are available.
L.A. is expensive, no doubt about it. You can still find a decent studio apartment in a safe neighborhood for about $1200/mo. Anything nicer will be $1500 and up. Car expenses are high, you want good insurance here.
I make around $50/hr., work downtown and live West side and do just fine. (It helps that I have 3 ANCC certifications and 7 years experience). I'm able to afford a decent place, pay my bills/pay down debt, sock away savings, have a dog, and take vacations. BUT - I don't buy stupid crap - I don't waste money on expensive shoes, jewelry, fancy clothes, cable TV, gym memberships or eating out all the time. I pack my lunch every day, cook at home, exercise by walking the dog and biking at the beach. I rent Redbox movies for a buck, & watch cable shows online. I shop at Costco & the farmer's market. I buy drugstore makeup and clothes on sale. My biggest money drains are my dog (she gets the best of everything) and my car (bought new 2 years ago and I baby it). I also have a weakness for good wine and fancy cheese but force myself to only buy as a treat once in a while.
You can do great in L.A. on a nursing salary if you have your poop together, good priorities and don't get caught up in all the BS L.A. can offer. You don't need gym memberships, Botox, a BMW, $18 cocktails, or valet parking. You don't need Louboutins, tinted windows or a $350 haircut. You don't need to max out your Platinum card. It's totally possible to be comfy here on an RN salary if you're smart about it!

awesome !!! :)