Looking to relocate to Indianapolis - Advice/Tips for a West Coast RN

[awyman33]

Hi All -

My husband and I have just began looking into relocating to Greenwood, IN from Portland, OR and I was hoping to get some input from any current Indiana RN's. I have my Bachelors of nursing and have been an RN for 4 years, I current work in Medical Oncology but have experience as a Neurovascular/telemetry RN as well.

I have browsed various sites online but I figured I should reach out to my nursing community to get some answers regarding pay and preferred hospitals.

I have spoken with a recruiter at St. Vincent's however she was only able to give very generalized information and I am currently looking to get specifics in terms of salaries and what not in order to determine our financial outlook as I know I will be taking a somewhat significant pay cut.

Questions/Topics

Preferred facilities - Pros/cons

Salary Information - Shift differential, additional certifications (Med/surg; OCN) Does your facility offer additional pay for certifications? Hourly vs. percentage increase for night shift vs. dayshift

Educational/professional opportunities within your facility

Any general information you think I should know...

Thank you kindly,

Ashley

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

One more post girl and I can PM you.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

WI over Indiana?? I've been to Milwaukee several times and it doesn't hold a candle to Indy. And it's so darn cold in the winter. I really do like it here. And I'm a transplant as most people out here are as it is a rapidly growing area.

Chicago is not bad, but that traffic is a freaking nightmare. When I get frustrated with traffic on 465, I just think of how awful Chicago and 294 traffic is.

True story: I am from Chicago. "Traffic" in Indy means you MIGHT be forced to travel under the speed limit. :) I am constantly amazed that they even HAVE traffic helicopters here.

My father recently passed away- so I've spent the entire spring and summer traveling back home to care for him. SO happy we relocated- I could never go back.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

True story: I am from Chicago. "Traffic" in Indy means you MIGHT be forced to travel under the speed limit. :) I am constantly amazed that they even HAVE traffic helicopters here.

My father recently passed away- so I've spent the entire spring and summer traveling back home to care for him. SO happy we relocated- I could never go back.

Haaaa!!! That is so true. I would always complain about traffic then I started having to go to Chicago about 3-4 times a year and the first time I went.... Oh my gosh!! I was so confused on paying tolls and the easy pass lanes!! I can't say there weren't a few times I blew through the easy pass without actually having one. Haaaa!!!

[LPN2011toRN]

All I can say is I moved to Indiana last year from the East Coast .....It is very different.