How is the pay vs. cost of living in Minot, ND?

[stepdownRN88]

Would it be wise for me to relocate for the area I really want (L&D) or should I stay in NY at a large teaching hospital but in an area I'm not crazy about (cardiac/telemetry)?

The cost of living is very high where I currently live, but nurses are paid very well here too ($35-$38 per hour).

I've seen in ND, nurses are paid between $22-$25 per hour on average and it seems like the rent is very high for even 1 bedroom apartments.

I also am in A LOT of student loan debt ($103k) .

Any advice from someone living in Minot is very appreciated. Thank you!!

[muirite]

I am not there, i have visited and its expensive there for every thing. My brother and his wife are there she works in a preschool and makes 18$. The pay was not the reason the preschool cost over 1100 month per kid. The rent they pay for a space to park the rv is more than my higher-end apt in Los Angeles. Unless u plan to work loads of ot I think that the pay is pretty low.

[CNACJ]

Why not look in Fargo/Moorehead area cost is more affordable

[NDNurseEducator]

North Dakota's living expenses are extremely high right now due to the Recent Oil Boom (which has now settled down).

However, even though the oil boom is slower, the cost of living remains high. Rent for a duplex can be as much as $1500 for a one bedroom to $3500 for 2-3 bedrooms depending on the area you want to live.

Minot, ND has been high for a long time, after the oil started it became outrageous and really has not lowered very far.

Nurses do not receive high wages either. $21.90-$22.10 for RN/BSN when they have ICU and ER experience on average. I think Minot may pay as high as $24.00. Also, the cost for medical insurance in Minot is lower at $450-$500 a month out-of-pocket for a family. If it is only you, the facility pays your health insurance.

Trinity Health works short staffed a lot and with many contract nurses of varying degrees of knowledge and experience.

Hope this helps