CT vs. NY, which is better for nursing??

barbyann · Oct 11, 2008

The best way to approach this is to interview EVERYWHERE you are interested then go home and run the numbers. No one can tell you what is right for you. Base pay is only a guide, differentials, parking, commuting, union dues, health care coverage, bonuses, state tax are all part of the decision making process. Also consider opportunities for overtime (which is where the big dollars come in to play).

I can tell you that Greenwich, Stamford and Norwalk are all good places to work. I can also tell you that with the current financial crisis things are changing for nurses in CT. What is being offered now will not be the same next fall. I have already seen disappearing "special" job offerings (free housing, weekend only, weekday only, etc.). I would send an email to each nurse recruiter and ask to be put on their mailing list for notice of open houses. Let them know you plan to move next fall. Good Luck!

Chaoticdreams33, MSN, RN · Oct 12, 2008

I'd have to agree. Getting the first hand look at your options is your best bet to making an informed decision. Good luck!

littlenewbie · Oct 13, 2008

thanks so much for all the info! i guess im trying to do as much research before i apply because where i live is atleast a 3.5 hr drive to come to interview in CT... not even including NY... so i guess im trying to narrow down my search... but do u have any idea about those 3 hospitals (norwalk, greenwich and stamford) in terms of starting salary? i heard from somoene that starting for norwalk was 32/hr but that seemed very high to me, considering that my start was 27/hr. just was hoping someone knew! thank you!! :)

Thornbird · Oct 19, 2008

You will save a lot of time if you contact the nurse recruiters at the hospitals you are interested in. So much can be done online and by phone these days. That's how nurses re-locate vast distances.

Hospitals have starting salary ranges based upon: ADN/BSN, experience, other certs and unit applied for. They are pretty "up-front" on what the range is.

Those three are top paying hospitals, but please remember what the cost of living in Fairfield County is, one of the highest in the nation. They are also all good hospitals to work for.

The economy has hit hard in this area. The "corporate headquarters of the world" doesn't fare well in a down economy. You might expand your search to Danbury and Bridgeport, they pay well also with a little better cost of living or a reasonable commute time if you choose to live in Stamford.

Wages aren't as high as you might think in NY and I personally wouldn't want to deal with the commute, especialy if you have eve or night shift.

Nursing homes in CT actually pay more than hospitals if you lack advanced certs. Don't know if that's a consideration for you. CT requires an RN in the building at all times (MA doesn't) so LTC's have to pay big $$ to get RN"s to do that supervisory work.

Good luck in your search.

shinyblackcar · Oct 20, 2008

It's easier to get a job in CT. Good luck. :)

littlenewbie · Oct 20, 2008

thanks so much for all your knowledge!! i have a BS and im working in tele right now.. i want to get into NICU... any idea how competitive that is? everyone is telling me that stamford, norwalk, and greenwcih are on the small side with hospitals and to get a true NICU experience i should go to a bigger hospital. unfortunetly stamford is definetly where im relocating to.. so i cant work at yale or HH. is bridgeport or danberry bigger?

Thornbird · Oct 20, 2008

Norwalk hospital has a NICU. You have to have Newborn Nursery experience to even be considered. You also must have PALS certification. I haven't lived there for quite a few years now due to cost of living. I know Stamford Hossptal absorbed the former St. Joseph's years ago and added more services, but don't think they have a NICU. Bridgeport Hospital is a huge system and major employer. Danbury Hospital is a more medium size hospital.

jrinct · Oct 20, 2008

Danbury Hospital has a NICU.

If you work daytime hours, commuting to Norwalk, New Haven, Bridgeport, or Danbury from Stamford won't be that bad. In the morning, virtually all the traffic is headed south/west from these areas (toward Stamford and NY), so you would have a reverse commute. The evening is another story...

Gabygirl · Nov 7, 2008

I am new to the same area "littlenewbie" and have had a difficult time finding a job.However, I agree with doing as much as possible by phone and on-line. I applied to several area hospitals online, and followed up by phone. Also keep checking the hospitals' websites b/c I found announcements for job/nursing fairs AND you can find out what specific units they are hiring for and if any appeal to you. I finally interviewed today after having met a nurse manager at one of these fairs. I also agree that there are many factors to consider other than just hourly rate when looking into each hospital. For example, I found out that Bridgeport hospital does NOT give you health benefits from the first day of hire, whereas Norwalk does!I also found out that starting salary on a tele unit as a floater is $30 to 32.75/hr WITH a 5K sign on bonus! My friend who just started at Montefiore in NY said she's starting at 68K & didn't mention a sign on bonus, which works out to be a little less here in CT, but definitely not worth the commute into NY(timewise & expenses). Stamford DOES have a NICU, as I precepted there last year, but they are not hiring in that unit at this time, according to their site.

Here is the site for applying for licensing reciprocity for CT. Good luck and stay positive...it CAN be done! :nuke:

http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3121&q=389428