East Coast vs West Coast Nursing

[VioletaRockos]

Hey guys!

So I searched this topic on here, and got relatively old topics from '08 and was wondering if there was any fresh perspectives on this topic.

I've been a nurse on the east coast (more specifically PA) for a little over a year now. I'm a new nurse, having graduated last May and it seems my boyfriend might be getting a job in the California area since he's in computers. I told him that, of course, I would follow him there and find local work close to where he ended up working.

I know that the state of California has mandated ratios, which is something I am very not used to here (working day shift, I have anywhere from 5-7 on a Med Surg floor), but what about rotating shifts? Management? General nursing (I heard it's a little more holistic on the west coast)? For those who have worked in the east and west, which do you prefer?

I would be grateful for any insight. Thanks a bunch!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Not possible to say. There are good and bad situations in every state.

That said, having moved from New England to California I learned quickly that in CA nobody had DMIs, they had IMIs. And before they had them, they had AN-jih-nah, not an-JYE-nuh.* So now I say both, followed by, "... depending on whether your doctor went to Stanford or Harvard."

*although, oddly, no woman on either coast has a VAJ-inn-ah.

[CrossCountryRN2008]

I went from AZ to NC VA border. West is more holistic and more teaching and advance plus safer staffing better pay lower rent utilities. I hate east coast.

[VioletaRockos]

Hahahaha, angina.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I'd rather work as a nurse on the East coast simply because that's where I'd rather live. I don't see myself leaving New England any time soon. I'd choose the west coast over the southern east coast though. Wouldn't live south of the Mason-Dixon line if you paid me to.

[monkeybug]

I did travel nursing in CA (I'm a Southerner) and I was enchanted with actually getting breaks every single shift! Sometimes I almost felt guilty for taking that time every night to eat and get myself centered. The cost of living out there was shocking for me, but I definitely enjoyed it. If my life had taken a different turn (and Ihad not married/not married a die hard Southern boy) I would consider moving there permanently.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

KelRN215 - interesting that you have written off an entire area of the US. I guess you must have some very clear and objective criteria for this and not just working from stereotypes. I have many acquaintances who firmly believe that Civilization stops at the East River. But I categorize anyone north of Waco as a Yankee, so I'm not one to complain - LOL. Just pointing out the absurdity that underlies most generalizations.

These days, the "best" place to work is one where you can find a job & afford a place to live. I hope OP's sweetie gets that Ca IT job & she doesn't have to venture into the wilds of the Midwest or or risk the barren plains of D-FW (home to an enormous tech industry).

[VANurse2010]

I was born in the North and have lived in the South a very long time -- I'd rather live in the North.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I'd rather work as a nurse on the East coast simply because that's where I'd rather live. I don't see myself leaving New England any time soon. I'd choose the west coast over the southern east coast though. Wouldn't live south of the Mason-Dixon line if you paid me to.

I agree...but that is just me...I don't mind visiting the South, however, being a West-Coast native that has lived in the northeast, I am see the similarities of both coasts, when it comes to living and seasonal and cultural aspects; each place has their similarities and their differences; however, my preference is to have four seasons.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

saying AN-ji-nah seems almost prudish to me. Like you're terrified you might say a word that rhymes with lady parts.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

KelRN215 - interesting that you have written off an entire area of the US. I guess you must have some very clear and objective criteria for this and not just working from stereotypes. I have many acquaintances who firmly believe that Civilization stops at the East River. But I categorize anyone north of Waco as a Yankee, so I'm not one to complain - LOL. Just pointing out the absurdity that underlies most generalizations.

These days, the "best" place to work is one where you can find a job & afford a place to live. I hope OP's sweetie gets that Ca IT job & she doesn't have to venture into the wilds of the Midwest or or risk the barren plains of D-FW (home to an enormous tech industry).

Well, coming from Massachusetts and being a passionate ally, I won't live in a state that writes discrimination into their constitution by banning same sex marriage for one and that alone automatically eliminates all of the south.

[Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN]

GI hope OP's sweetie gets that Ca IT job & she doesn't have to venture into the wilds of the Midwest or or risk the barren plains of D-FW (home to an enormous tech industry).

This made me laugh!! What an interesting thread. I think I have it pretty good living in the upper midwest. I have decent ratios, good pay & affordable cost of living, but I guess everyone has their preferences. Then again I shouldn't generalize the whole Midwest, because I think my city probably has a higher pay for a lower cost of living than a lot of places in the Midwest.