ICU RN California native moving from Texas to NC!

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Specializes in ICU, CCRN.

Hello all!

I always find everyone here so helpful. I'm originally a California native and moved to Texas just short of two years ago with my parents. I moved to Texas as a new grad and was lucky enough to have job offers quickly.

I now have about 1.5years of MICU experience. Once again my family and I will be moving this time to North Carolina. I'm so excited as it looks beautiful there! I'm hoping I'll enjoy it there. My questions are:

How is the job market for RN's in Raleigh?

I've read that the base pay even for nurses with experience tends to be low to mid 20s is this true?

Is my 1.5years experience enough to possibly land me a ICU position or would it be better for me to stay longer in Texas to get a solid 2 years in?

Any information about the area and places you've enjoyed working or had good/bad experiences with would be helpful.

From reading it seems wakemed pays substantially more.

I currently work FT in the MICU... Debating on when I move if it would be beneficial for me to have a PT ICU position and then perhaps a PRN position in a different specialty to attain more diversity in my experience.

Thank you in advance everyone!!

Jessica :)

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

Nurse with experience are in demand right now at the major 3 hosp. systems. Pay is about what you said, but the cost of living is cheaper.

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Specializes in ICU, CCRN.
Nurse with experience are in demand right now at the major 3 hosp. systems. Pay is about what you said, but the cost of living is cheaper.

Thank you!

I was looking into Rex & wakemed. Do you know anything about the atmosphere of either? Employee retention?

I'm planning on making my first trip to NC on Sunday and want to make the most of it so I can get a good feel for NC.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

Rex has higher retention but that means harder to get a job at. Rex is a Magnet affiliated with UNC.

WakeMed is starting the process of applying and is just now implementing EPIC, so they are in a transition phase (as far as atmosphere)

Wake is much larger than Rex, but Rex is adding on. They are very different places.

I have friends that work at both and none would trade places LOL

I did my clinicals at Rex and it was very nice.

Have you looked into Duke health? Duke-Raleigh is one exit down from WakeMed. It is a smaller satellite hosp of Duke, but I also have friends that work there and love the smaller feel. There is also Duke Regional in Durham and, of course, big Duke.

We moved to this area from Chicago and have grown to love it. There is a ton to do and the mountains are ~2 hours one direction; the beaches an hour or so the other direction :)

I just saw that you are an ADN, Rex is going to be tough. WakeMed will be slightly easier, but they will make you sign a contract that you will complete BSN within 2 years. Duke might be easier to get a job, but, again, they will have you promise to complete your BSN within 2 years. Good news there are TONS of good RN-BSN program in NC

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Specializes in ICU, CCRN.

I wrote back and it didn't post for some reason lol

well that's great to hear that everyone you know working in those facilities enjoy it!

I did notice most places want a BSN commitment I'm currently already enrolled in a RN-BSN online program I have about 11 more classes to take, I really need to stop dragging my feet on that and finish.

I had mentioned Wakemed & Rex because from searches it appears that Duke paid less. I am already thinking I'll be taking some kind of paycut when I move, although I believe the cost of living is slightly cheaper than TX.

Where do you currently work and what specialty?

Do you think I would be better off to stay in Texas another 6months so I can have a solid two years exp. or will 1.5years exp. probably be enough?

I am actually going to NC for my first visit on Sunday and was debating about trying to drop off some resume in person to some recruiters.

Did you move with your family?

I'm really excited to have real beaches and mountains and pretty surroundings again.

Thank you for all of your help and input!

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

First, the pay is a wash. There are some subtleties that you don't see, as in staffing ratios and UAP help.

Second, I did move with my family from Chicago. As a teacher. After funding issues, the state did not keep any teachers that were non-tenured Masters teachers (long story). I went back and got my ADN, then BSN.

Third, I work at big Duke in ortho and I love it!!!!!

Because I had my ADN as a new grad, I did not get an interview at Rex. I recently applied for some prn work at Wake and they offered me $.25 more an hour. So the pay is not really an issue. I ended up not taking the job b/c I got rear-ended going to orientation and I just took that as a sign LOL.

Each of the organizations have their pros and cons, they are all good facilities.

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Specializes in ICU, CCRN.

Oh wow lol that's true. I work ICU and we are suppose to be 1:1 or 2:1 but lately we've been short staffed and 3:1. I'm hoping the ratios there is 2:1. The same for our CNA/PCA's we have a 25+ bed unit and sometimes we don't even have one.

So glad to hear your move worked out well and that you enjoy it!

$0.25 really isn't as big of a difference as I was seeing online lol I was thinking of doing a PT & PRN position if I'm hired.

Rear ended? I probably would have taken that as a sign as well lol

I rather move to NC now rather then wait until January(so I have the full two years exp) just excited to be there.

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