Help! North Carolina nurses.. i need advice

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 15, 2008

I have moved from one part of the country several times in my life. You will find that pay scales vary widely -- as do costs of living.

What should you do? Investigate the cost of living -- not just by asking a few people, but by looking in detail at the actual expenses you will have when you move there. For example:

1. Compare housing costs. What kind of house/apartment will you live in? How much will it cost and how does that cost compare with what you are spending now? Don't forget to include the cost of homeowners insurance if you own your own home.

2. Here's a big one a lot of people forget. What are the state taxes like in each state? I don't know, but I would guess that New York taxes are higher -- meaning that you would get to take home more of your paycheck in North Carolina. That can make a big difference, so find out the facts and look at the effects on your take home pay.

3. What other types of deductions to your paycheck might be different? Health insurance, etc. They can also vary greatly.

4. Will you have child care costs? -- another thing that can vary widely.

5. Car expenses? How does the price of gas compare? How much more or less will you be driving your car? Car insurance is another thing that varies widely in different areas of the country.

In short, you need to actually "run some numbers" before you can know for sure how salaries in different regions compare for you and your lifestyle.

Another thing that will help you analyze the situation is to look at the lifestyle that nurses in similar roles can afford in each area. What type of house can the average nurse afford? Do nurses in that region seem to have a decent lifestyle? That will give you some clues, but you won't know for sure until you run some numbers. Some people live an attractive lifestyle, but only because they put themselves into waaaaaaaaayyyyyy too much debt. Be safe and run some numbers yourself.

xxgreenfirexx · Jun 15, 2008

A great tool to use, when figuring out exactly how much you will take home per payday, is http://www.paycheckcity.com. It will calculate your taxes, per hr, etc and spit out exactly what you will be bringing home. This way, you will know the difference! I believe it also asks for the state, so that it can automatically take into consideration whether or not the state takes out taxes, etc...

merellis2009 · Jun 15, 2008

I grew up in NC, graduated college and moved to Washington DC and then ended up back in NC a few years later. I can tell you that although it sounds like you're taking a drastic paycut, if you run the numbers I bet you'll be just fine. Expenses are MUCH cheaper in NC-believe me. Have you started looking for a house? apartment? Where you live around Durham will have a lot to do with housing costs too so keep that in mind. (Some places in Durham arent so great, but there are communities all around if you're willing to drive a little bit further.) Speaking of driving, take into account what kind of car you've got and how it does on gas.

All in all, you really just need to run the numbers as a previous poster said. I'm betting that you will be pleasantly surprised.

RNperdiem, RN · Jun 15, 2008

Durham is not the only place to live. A lot of people commute in from Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, Creedmoor, Chapel Hill, Wake Forrest, and the other towns in the area.

Don't forget to factor in shift differential, weekend differentials and (possible) overtime to your hourly wage.

There are plenty of hospitals in the area if you want to pick up a per diem job. There is often opportunities for overtime in most workplaces.

WolfpackRed · Jun 16, 2008

I am shocked that the pay is that low in that region. In the Winston Salem area a nurse with one year exp makes ~$22/ hr base. The cost of living is much lower here than the Triangle area, also. But, I think that the "supply" of new nurses is much higher in the Triangle; and Duke, IMO, gets by paying people less as they get the "prestige" of working at this medical center.

kendel · Jun 16, 2008

Thanks for all your suggesions, I guess ill have to see.. i need a change from New York to try somewhere else and I guess if i dont like it i will move back but hopefully I will like it

its so peaceful there it seems.. unlike NY rushed, hustle and bustle life style

i feel like a packed sardine in NY sooo much people

I need to know how much is LIght, Gas, Phone, car insurance going to cost??

any ideas.....??? and please dont tell me it depends

i am going to look for a 2 bedroom aptmt to start

Thanks to you all for every thing

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 16, 2008

any ideas.....??? and please dont tell me it depends
QUOTE]
But actually, it Does depend. Do you want a luxury apartment with amenities like a swimming pool, scenic views, fitness facility, etc. in an up-scale neighborhood? Or do you want just basic walls, 1 bathroom, etc. in a run down section of the city?
Go to the city's website (Almost every city has one.) or go to the real estate section of the internet and do an apartment search. Look at the various listings and get a feel as to what you can get at the various price points in the market. See if you are happy with the types of apartments available in your price range.

kendel · Jun 19, 2008

in NEW YORK I have a one bedroom aptmt and light costs about $80 per month, gas cost $30 every 2 months, rent here is $850 for me but higher about 1,100.00 if i moved and its not an upscale neighborhood. Whats the prices like in NC?