Where should I nurse in US ??

[Dusty]

Hi, my name is Gerry, I'm living in Ireland at present. I have a green card and am hoping to go out to the US in July 2004. By that time I will have (God willing) a nursing degree and 1 years experience in an acute hospital (probally mostly medical/surgical experience). I wiil have to sit the nclex exam.

Q's. Where is the best place in the states to go to nurse?

What kind of starting salary could I expect?

ANY other advice anyone could give me would be VERY greatly appreciated.

Re; nclex, agencies, opportunities, states to work in etc etc.

I'm very interested in working in ER departments.

Thanks a million.

Gerry:)

[email protected]

[atownsendrn]

Dusty - let me start by saying Good luck with your move.

Your salaries are, of course, going to be higher in city hospitals. But so is the standard of living. My advice is research some different cities and figure out which ones appeal to you. Don't move to a particular area or state just because of the salaries there. This great land has opportunities knocking everywhere.

As far as the NCLEX is concerned - get the question/answer books and just answer questions and questions and more questions.

Now about ERs - that my speciality:p Most smaller ERs are going to want experience. But many of the larger ERs have orientation programs for new nurses or nurses that are changing specialities.

So - in closing - first, find out where you want to move based on culture, climate, etc. Then look at the different hospitals in the areas. And if rural GA (about 50 min west of Atlanta) is your type of paradise - come talk to me about the ER:wink2:

[SmilingBluEyes]

What climate do you prefer? The USA has many to offer: hot/dry desert---cool, green Pacific Northwestern weather----or much in between. Do you like 4 seasons? Or prefer year-round mostly warm temps? Also, Do you wish to have a very diverse patient population? Do you prefer urban living or more rural, or in between? What size hospital? Large (some have more than 1000 licensed beds)....small (some as few as less than 100)? Or in between? Lots of questions you have to answer for yourself before we can specifically answer you here. I wish you well---and welcome to the boards!!!!!

[EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN]

Check out http://www.salary.com to compare salaries in different areas. Salaries will vary GREATLY depending on what part of the country you are in.

[straba]

Miami baby!!!! It has a tropical climate, beautiful beaches, great cost of living, and some of the best food in the country!! It's 4 hours south of Disneyworld, and an hour north of the Florida Keys, (not to mention Jamaica is only an hour and a half away). IMO this is the best place in the country.