From FL to PA (Lancaster x Pitt)

rnpilot · Jul 13, 2006

St. Clair hospital has a very good reputation. From first hand experience as a pt. there (being a picky RN, lol) I was really pleased with their care and the hospital. It's about 20 min. south of Pittsburgh and there are nice surrounding communities. UPMC is huge, but it's a university hopital. I worked there, but wouldn't recommend it except for a new grad. University hospitals are typically "crazy" and there are a lot of lower key places to work. It's also very close to down town, although they have aquired other hospitals in outer areas. West Penn is also a nice hospital. West Penn is a little north east, but still close to "dahn tahn" (a little Pittsburghese for you.) It's in an area of older neighborhoods so very much urban. Those are the only hospitals that I can give you my impressions on. If you look at St. Clair, Peter's Township, Canonsburg, and Cecil are fairly close and developing areas. The still have a little rural feel. Canonsburg has a hospital, too. I had some tests there, but really had no contact with nursing. It's basically a small community hospital. Except for snow and arthritis, I enjoyed the area. I was really sorry St. Clair had no openings in my specialty so I had to commute to Pittsburgh. I wish you the best!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jul 13, 2006

Pittsburgh = hills with ice and snow; very pretty

Lancaster = minimal hills in ice and snow, flater scenery, compete with horse drawn carriage on 2 lane main roads, one each direction

Both with great facilites. Don't know salaries.

CMLPNnowRN · Jul 15, 2006

Thank you so much for your responses!!!

After much prayer and research (and talking to someone I met who lived in both places) we decided for Pittsburgh.

Now we're trying to figure out exactly where and I've been researching school districts like a maniac:monkeydance: !!! Hopefully, by next week, my husband will have a list of "possible places to visit" that I'm putting together for him.

We decided to rent in the beginning to give us a chance to find out more about certain neighborhoods before buying a property.

Thanks again!!!

CMLPN

rnpilot · Jul 16, 2006

You might want to look at areas within commuting distance of the airport since US Airways has merged with Am. West. This would be to the west of town. Having family and friends working for U.S. Airways, I know a lot of people are having to move. There is a lot of stuff for rent/sale in the airport area.