Is anyone else totally frustrated with CO nursing?

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I don't live in a metro area, so employment options are limited for me. Our pay is much lower than in the bigger city, but unless you want to have a 1 1/2 hour commute, you just live with it since the hospitals keep the pay low. Plus our patient ratio is usually 6-7:1 (& never enough aides!). Too many to give decent care! At this point I'm about ready to jump ship altogether, I just don't know what else I'd do.

Just looking for some sign of life that I'm not the only one ready to pull out my hair....:trout:

Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

There is a post under 'nursing news' titled "How Green is Your Pasture?" It is a study done by Medscape on nursing pay in different states vs. the cost of living in that state. The states are ranked accordingly....Texas came in first. Low cost of living and 'high pay' (I'm sure nurses in Texas beg to differ =-). I'm sure the study isn't perfect and there are exceptions to the rule.

According to this study, however, NY ranked 37th. CA ranked 44th. Somehow, CO came in at 14th. So as for the PP complaint about a new grad making $20.15 in Colo.Springs -you also have to consider the city is known for 'cheap housing.'

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Specializes in Med Surg, Telemetry, Orthopedics.
There is a post under 'nursing news' titled "How Green is Your Pasture?" It is a study done by Medscape on nursing pay in different states vs. the cost of living in that state. The states are ranked accordingly....Texas came in first. Low cost of living and 'high pay' (I'm sure nurses in Texas beg to differ =-). I'm sure the study isn't perfect and there are exceptions to the rule.

According to this study, however, NY ranked 37th. CA ranked 44th. Somehow, CO came in at 14th. So as for the PP complaint about a new grad making $20.15 in Colo.Springs -you also have to consider the city is known for 'cheap housing.'

This cracks me up! I was a single mom in Colorado Springs several years ago, making $22.00/hr and barely making ends meet. The townhouse I bought was a little sh*tty place at $120,000 and I couldn't afford to buy a new(er) car when mine was breaking down. The housing has since gone up, of course, especially now since it was named #1 place to live by Money Magazine (Not by a nursing journal!), but according to my friends the pay hasn't. The hospitals are spending multi-million dollars to improve their buildings, and billions of dollars to build new ones. The problem is, there are only those 2 hospitals in town, and I'm pretty sure they work together to keep the salaries down. Plus, there are alot of military wives there who have to work and don't have a choice whether the salary sucks or not!:madface:

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Specializes in Med Surg, Telemetry, Orthopedics.
SO I was looking to possibly relocate to CO for nursing...I am working/living in So. Cal and make okay money (new nurses start around $25), but it is so freakin' crowded and expensive I could never afford to start a life. I could not even afford to buy a condo here. ANyways...I thought CO seemed like a beautiful reasonable place to live. House prices seem decent, and I knew that wages were a bit lower but I thought appropriate to the area. Not the case I gather. Does CO have ratio laws? Anyone who would like to clue me in, I would much appreciate it.

Kimmi -

That pay does seem low for SoCal! Alot of people move here from CA for the lower housing. It is beautiful here, and if you are the outdoors type there is alot to do (if you aren't, unless you're in a metro area, there's NOTHING to do). CO has no ratio laws and, as you can read, is not union-friendly, although the CNA/NNOC and the SEIU (in Denver) are trying. I used to work on a floor with 6-7 patients on the day shift (med-surg adult). We usually had 2 CNAs per floor (30 pts) so they were little help. It was frustrating work. I suppose in your situation it depends on what you're looking for! Good luck.

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Does anyone work for Banner in Loveland? What is nursing like there in the wards?

I have been told that housing is affordable at present - we are hoping to relocate there from overseas UK.

Would appreciate any information anyone willing to share. Thank you

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Specializes in Trauma.
There is a post under 'nursing news' titled "How Green is Your Pasture?" It is a study done by Medscape on nursing pay in different states vs. the cost of living in that state. The states are ranked accordingly....Texas came in first. Low cost of living and 'high pay' (I'm sure nurses in Texas beg to differ =-). I'm sure the study isn't perfect and there are exceptions to the rule.

According to this study, however, NY ranked 37th. CA ranked 44th. Somehow, CO came in at 14th. So as for the PP complaint about a new grad making $20.15 in Colo.Springs -you also have to consider the city is known for 'cheap housing.'

I don't really agree with that study and wonder about it. You always have to question those sorts of studies. Here in NYC, the pay is high. HOWEVER, if you take into consideration the cost of living which is much higher than SF and then take into consideration, transportation, food, etc..it isn't as high as one might think. California pays pretty well, I lived in SF for 12 years and I know many nurses there. I wonder why they came in 44th because I can tell you, the pay is higher than here in NYC and the cost of living is less. According to that study, the nursing salary drops $22k p/y? Hmmm...I doubt that after I have lived there and paid taxes there. NYC is far more expensive to live than there. I can't vouch for Texas, but I've heard pretty decent things about some parts of Texas.

As far as Colorado is concerned, I was raised there and lived there for 22 years of my life. It WAS known for "cheap housing", but is NO LONGER known for that. If you consider all of the people moving in from California, Oregon and other states who carry a lot of money with them and the size of lots they are able to afford, etc..as urban sprawl grows, so does the price of housing if there are people to build and buy. The zoning is different in Colorado. People can build large, beautiful homes in the mountains, etc. Maybe that is changing now, not sure.

I just had this conversation with my mother about housing out there. She told me that $20 an hour is ridiculous and there would be no way I could afford a house there on that income. They live in Colorado Springs and not Denver. So honestly, with all of this being said, I have to wonder about this study. I mean, from what I know from personal experience, I would have to say that it's skewed and I just don't believe Colorado to be where it is on that list. According to what that nurse recruiter told me and also having family living there currently, $20 an hour is not suffice. Personally, I think Colorado hospitals need to step up to the plate and pay their RN's what they are worth being that we are all educated professionals:)

I mean, here they are building new and gorgeous hospitals, but they won't fork out a more than fair and decent wage package for the employees who keep them afloat? It's true..it is all about that almighty dollar.

Sorry to rant:)

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does anyone work for banner in loveland? what is nursing like there in the wards?

i have been told that housing is affordable at present - we are hoping to relocate there from overseas uk.

would appreciate any information anyone willing to share. thank you

i guess "affordable" would depend on your perspective and bank account/ resources. check out this link for info on cost of housing in denver, co.

home sales rise, but prices drop slightly - the denver business journal:

personally, i don't consider $250,000 affordable or cheap for a family home. i would like to know where tdbj gets it's info. i see the signs for the housing developments going up in/outside of the metro area-and they are going up very rapidly, everywhere (read congestion). they start at $300,000 for a single family home. lofts- minimum $180,000 in a respectable area. by respectable, i mean safe, not hoitie toitie (sp?). aurora, which is east of denver, housing is cheaper, but, not a place where you want your kids on the streets after dark. five points is the arm pit of the metro area. you don't want to be on the streets anytime unless you're packing a weapon. loveland, still $$$$. see for yourself.

aol search results for "housing in loveland, colorado"

i have come to the conclusion that you can afford to live in colorado if:

1. you have money- i mean alot of money

2. your spouse or s.o has alot of money

3. you have, or are married to prestige-this means money

4. your parents have alot of money.

and this is just for the metro area. it's much more $$$$ towards the boulder area and west on up into the mountains. i am sure you are familar with areas like aspen, steamboat springs, vail due to their popularity. yeah, uhm... that's where the rich and famous live.

bottom line is if you have alot of cash, ski, don't mind being stuck in traffic, have political power (oh yeah, that means $$$$$$), drink (ho boy, do they love their alcohol out here-wow!), then colorado is for you!

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Aurora, which is east of Denver, housing is cheaper, but, not a place where you want your kids on the streets after dark. Five Points is the arm pit of the metro area. You don't want to be on the streets anytime unless you're packing a weapon.

Come on, Aurora is not that bad. It is a huge suburb with good parts and bad parts, just like any large city. There are some very nice areas actually that don't cost an arm and leg. And btw, where have the school shootings been taking place in Colorado? Aurora?

Point is, crime is everywhere. And having been in real big cities, Denver is pretty darn safe I would say in comparison.

Five Points is being gentrified very quickly, and home prices there have skyrocketed too. It's a shame because it was the center of African-American culture for so long here, and its all disappearing fast.

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Specializes in Freelance Writer, 'the nurse who knows content'.

I have really enjoyed reading this thread and want to thank everyone who has contributed.

Colorado Springs is my adopted hometown, and I do plan to return to Colorado permanently after earning my BSN. I would love to be part of the "solution" to Colorado's nursing problems, and if that means being actively involved in unionizing and stuff, then so be it.

Regarding the issue of "quality of life" (read: mountain views) as an exchange for real wages, this situation has existed for decades. When I lived in Colo Spgs in the mid-80s, as the economy there started to collapse and we had to work for crap wages at the grocery store, relatives and friends from other parts of the country would come to visit us and remind us how fortunate we were to wake up each morning to a lovely view of Pikes Peak. We had a saying for them:

"Unfortunately, you can't EAT the PEAK."

Funny...the same thing is true today.

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Specializes in OR, transplants,GYN oncology.

I moved to Colorado Springs a few years ago for family reason,. Have always liked the climate and the laid-back atmosphere in the West. Anyway, I have found the Springs to be an extraordinarily conservative area, what with all of the military, plus the fact that there is a very strong, very conservative Christian presence here - truly reminds me somewhat of my years in Salt Lake City.

I work for the city hospital, not the Catholic hospital. Those are your choices in Colorado Springs. The culture within the city hospital is very regimented, very punitive. They talk the talk, but working conditions are not in line at all with the PR. In spite of all the talk, the nursing culture is very 1940s. I have not heard people speak of "writing up" nurses as much in my 30-yr career as I have in 3 years here. It is a very physician-centered atmosphere and nurses are not treated at all as professionals, with endless expectations of housekeeping duties, constant hostage overtime, petty policies which have nothing to do with clinical issues and everyting to do with micromanaging the staff, countless "mandatory" meetings and "required" classes on off-duty hours. (I don't CARE if you're paying me, how dare you try to commandeer my off-duty time.) They will change your scheduled shift on less than a day's notice (They don't ask you, they tell you)

For the first time in my career, I wish there was a union here. Working conditions are just horrible. And I won't even mention salaries.

And everyone says the city hospital is the lesser of the two hospital evils in town....I can only imagine....

I made a terrible decision in moving here, and I would encourage anyone considering so to research this place VERY carefully. If you want to come to Colorado, consider Denver or Boulder. Sorry.

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Come on, Aurora is not that bad. It is a huge suburb with good parts and bad parts, just like any large city. There are some very nice areas actually that don't cost an arm and leg. And btw, where have the school shootings been taking place in Colorado? Aurora?

Point is, crime is everywhere. And having been in real big cities, Denver is pretty darn safe I would say in comparison.

Five Points is being gentrified very quickly, and home prices there have skyrocketed too. It's a shame because it was the center of African-American culture for so long here, and its all disappearing fast.

I would have to agree with you Sarita279. Aurora is not that bad. It gets a bad reputation. I live in Southeast Aurora and I feel completely safe here. Sure there are some bad parts to Aurora but which city does not have good and bad parts. Everywhere in Colorado the cost of living, housing, etc. is ridiculous, but what are you going to do? Most of us cannot just pick up and move to a more affordable area. I would definitely recommend Aurora for anyone moving to Colorado. I've lived in Aurora all my 35 years of life and don't have a complaint. The employment opportunities are plenty...Aurora Medical Center South, Fitzsimmons, Childrens Hospital, Spalding Rehab.

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Specializes in ED.

Hi,

I am going to relocate to Colorado Springs area from Florida after my home sells. I am an experienced ER nurse. It is sad to hear the poor state of respect for nursing there. I am thinking perhaps a travel assignment might be best. Do the local hospitals use travelers or use contracts for RN's?

Louise

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Referring to Colorado Springs area:

Yes, they do. I do not know which ones do. I do know NurseFinders and Critical Nurse Staffing has contracts in the area. Try a search on google for their website and telephone numbers (I prefer those to not be posted here on allnurses). Do watch out for those little Agencies that may not have the financial backing and can and do bail out on you financially and otherwise.

My impression, adding to the low pay is the influx of military families (in Colorado Springs) who often have wives that are nurses. There is a constant supply going in and out of town, so to speak. HCA, is alive and well in the area, and also adds to the lower pay in Colorado Springs and Colorado in general.

Regarding Colorado Nursing:

I agree, the rate of pay is challenging for Colorado considering housing and cost of living (COLA). There is a quiet revolution going on of Nurses getting much better rates of pay with Agencies. The Denver area is tough for several reasons for Agency Nurses. Obtaining Travel Contracts, in my opinion, is the most successful way to go; along with, Agency Nursing (PRN). Be very careful siging up with HCA and its affiliated Agency, All About (under) Staffing.

Agency Nursing, is not an easy life, but financially worth it but not for everyone. You need to have top notch skills and lots of experience. A thick skin and confidence is mandatory. Contracting as a Vendor is one step further in the process; again, definitely not for everyone.

Hospitals, whether it be in Colorado or California, do not want to pay what the rate of pay is for Contracted Nurses. Having that buffer of an Agency or Corporate Representative is a given in financial improvement. No one, gives things away (power, financial improvement, better working conditions). It is up to the Nurse, in Colorado to expect and work towards improving what they can financially and in better working conditions.

As an Agency Nurse, I do not go back to facilities that are not safe. I do not go back to facilities that have mean employees, etc.... I do not contract (and I am a subcontractor) with Agencies or Corporate Representatives that are unreasonable and do not pay, top pay; this is my recipe for success.

Empowerment of Nursing starts for me, one Nurse at a time. I am more powerful today then I ever imagined or was allowed to be as an employee. Of course, another way is working through The Colorado Nurses Association. It is possible but I have chosen an easier path. I do hope someone else picks up the lead for leadership to empower Nurses through Collective Bargaining.

Thank you for taking the time to read through this. Let me know if I can ever help further with info. Please come by and visit the Agency, Travel, and Entrepreneur Forums here on allnurses. You will find links to these in my signature line.

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