info on TN please

[Betty_SPN_KS, LPN]

What is the climate like in different parts of TN? We're looking for a place with fairly mild winters, but not too hot summers.

I'm a student practical nurse, planning to graduate in May. Does TN accept Excelsior College degrees if I decide to do that for my RN?

Also, is TN part of the reciprocol nursing licensing compact, or whatever it's called, to be licensed to work in more than one state.

Any info about different areas, towns, cities, including career opportunities, schools (for kids and us), crimes rates, cost of living, and general perceived "feel" of the places (anyone's opinion), would be appreciated.

Oh, and my husband would like a place where he can plant a big garden, too.

Thanks.

[Daisy2]

I want to move to Nashville. It is cold and snowing in the winter, you have the awesome mountains, rolling hills, and not too hot in the summer. The town is so easy to drive and all the smaller towns are nice, low crime. Tons of hospitals to choose from I have heard, and I hear they pay their nurses very well!!

Good luck!

[nursefiggy]

East TN has the Smokies but most of TN has rolling hills. I live between Nashville and Clarksville in Ashland City. That's Cheatham County. It is pretty expensive to buy a house here as we are a short driving distance to Nashville. Montgomery County (Clarksville) you can get a 3bedroom 2 bath house for about 80K. There's alot of rural areas around here and finding something in the country is not difficult. Winters are mild. So far no snow. Summers are ok. There are usually a few weeks of 90+ weather. Plenty of rivers and lakes and hills. Lots of state parks. Schools are ok if not in Davidson county. No crime to speak of in Cheatham County which is still very rural.

Tn does accept Excelsior. I am going through them too. There, are I think, 11 hospitals in Nashville. 4 major hospitals in a 5 mile radius. PLENTY of oppertunity for all kinds of nursing and education. The pay is on the national average. LPNs 12-17.

[kellilou3]

Originally posted by Daisy2

I want to move to Nashville. It is cold and snowing in the winter, you have the awesome mountains, rolling hills, and not too hot in the summer. The town is so easy to drive and all the smaller towns are nice, low crime. Tons of hospitals to choose from I have heard, and I hear they pay their nurses very well!!

Good luck!

You would do better in East TN, not Nashville. We get maybe 5 inches of snow over a whole winter season, and the summers are hot and HUMID! The rolling hils are very beautiful, though, and Nashville, although it is a metropolis, has a small town mentality, which I enjoy since I grew up in a small town about 80 miles south of Nashville. I could never dream of living anywhere else than Tennessee!!!

[andrewsgranny, ASN, RN]

Tennessee sounds good to me.....CORNY huh? Oh well thats where I'm at. I live in NW Tennessee. Fairly mild winters and summers. I live in a small town, but I am 1 hour from Jackson Tn. one way and 1 Hour from Paducah Ky. in the other direction.

I am one hour north of Memphis, where my daughter is a senior this yr. and University of Memphis (sorry, got carried away)

Anyway the crime rate is little to none here. The schools are great. And the LPN's here start out at around 13.00-$14.00/hr.

The people are great, the schools are wonderful.

We visit other areas of Tn. as well and as far as beauty..... Nashville is an AWESOM place. Hope you find the perfect area for you and your family. If I can help at all just pm me.

P.S. We do wear shoes here.:roll :roll

GO VOL'S

[BrookeeLou_RN]

I live in Cleveland area of SE TN. About 30 mins to Chattanooga.. several hospitals, lots of MD's, nice to visit but I think crime is alittle high for not such a big city..Cleveland is wonderful, I think there are now about 50k people in area..extremely family oriented, not much rentals. houses are holding values pretty well, good schools. It is in Bradley county, they have lots of other big business coming in or near..VW plant, Amazon.com (2) Wacker Chemical, new Whirlpool plant. Hospital in town is not good in most peoples opinion but there are those who differ. 2 1/2 yrs ago not as populated, more RN jobs, salaries were better, salaries down a bit in some areas, not as many jobs and some posted and never filled(hiring freezes) Farther north is Maryville area.. love it though it is getting crowded and pricey.. Many who live there work in Knoxville. When I came here from Orlando it was for the more peaceful living. and cheaper. Have lived in Maryville and would have loved to have gone back but was just too pricey at the time. Were not many rentals and I am single so did not want to buy at that time.

Me. I love TN, and would not want to leave. This winter was cold and snowy but was unusual. Summers can get hot and humid but nothing compared to Orlando. Welcome to PM me if I can be of any specific help.