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Move to Canada...I'm not saying job prospects are great here either...but I know wages tend to be higher. Cost of living is usually higher...but some areas like northern Alberta and other northern/rural areas pay out the butt. then again, there would be all the hoops to jump through to relocate here...probably isnt worth the hassle.
I live in BC, Canada and RNs start at 30/hr as a new grad with no specialty. If you'd be willing to move to northern bc/Alberta or territories it would probably make it relatively easy to immigrate bc they really need nurses there. It gets cold but at least your kids will grow up in a rural setting if that's what you're into.
I also hear Manitoba and alberta pay great. Lots of nurses relocate there that I know. Ontario doesn't pay as well from what I understand and its a very urban province.
Yes, but in some areas the gap between salary and cost of living is higher. Years ago I was considering a move from NYC to Seattle. The average salaries in Seattle were a little lower but the COL was MUCH lower so you averaged out ahead. OP, it might be harder to find accurate nursing salaries online but you should be able to find general salary and COL info and there are tons of articles out there on great places to live that aren't always obvious.Well... here's the thing, anywhere you live that pays more is going to cost more.
I would not work ANYWHERE as an RN for $19/hr. No way whatsoever! Move. I was started off at $22.75, I get paid around $23/hr after 2 yrs experience. Not much, but I'm thinking of looking for better. Not because of the money but because the job environment sucks.
That is a very bold statement.
Wages for nurses as with every other employee are greatly influenced by local costs of living. Once you leave the high priced East Coast states wages will drop as you move across the country until you start hitting the West Coast such as CA (another high cost of living state).
Quite allot of New York City area residents move down south or to other parts of the country and are shocked they cannot pull "NYC wages" for the same work elsewhere. There is a reason why many make their money up here then *retire* to low COL states. Know persons working two or three jobs down South and still cannot equal what they got from must one here in the City.
1ksgirl
1 Post
Hello all! Currently, I am a nursing student. I will graduate Spring 2013 with my ADN here in Wichita, KS. My husband and I plan to stay here for about 3 years, so that we can pay off my student loans,get my BSN and get things in order ect. We would love to move! I am a planner at heart and I have three children to think about. I am out of the loop as far as accurate hourly wages across the country. In Wichita, a new grad can expect to earn a base pay of $19 hr. plus shift diff ( not much to get excited over). The cost of living here is cheap I have to say, but def on the rise along with crime on the rise as well. So my question is where could I move to that is family friendly and make a great living? Thanks for your help!