Move to Philadelphia area?

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Here's my story. I'm RN with a broad range of experience most recently 2 years in a large 45 bed ICU in Australia(I'm here on a work visa) . My present role is that of Hospital Clinical coordinator( House Supervisor ) in a130 bed hospital here in Australia. I've have done LTC in the states as well,including MDS Resident Care Manager, and a DON. I'm 51 and ready to head back to the good old USA....my daughter will be attending Temple University later this year and I'm really intrigued with the greater Philadelphia area. SO MUCH HISTORY!!!! I have been there as a tourist and loved it. I'm a bit nervous about coming back after 4 years when I read about the lack of work for many. I have current RN licensure in Washington State and Texas.

So here's my thing. I'm really ready to get back to aged care I have always loved it and found it suited me. I'm ready to get off the Hospital night shifts and find a nice small to medium size nursing home to settle in .

So does anyone have an idea of pay for an experienced RN in LTC in the area? Does anyone know of facilities that would be well worth looking into? Any particular places I shouldn't even bother with? Any other ideas or thoughts would be much appreciated.

Cheers, Mel

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I have no idea why this post came out this way and looks so unreadable...I will try again.

Here’s my story. I’m RN with a broad range of experience most recently 2 years in a large 45 bed ICU in Australia(I’m here on a work visa) . Mypresent role is that of Hospital Clinical coordinator( House Supervisor ) in a130 bed hospital here in Australia. I’ve have done LTC in the states as well,including MDS Resident Care Manager, and a DON. I’m 51 and ready to head backto the good USA….my daughter will be attending Temple University later thisyear and I’m really intrigued with the greater Philadelphia area. SO MUCH HISTORY!!!! I have been there as a tourist and loved it. I’m a bit nervousabout coming back after 4 years. I have current RN licensure in Washington State and Texas.

So here’s my thing. I’m really ready to get back to aged care I have always loved it and found it suited me. I’m ready to get off the Hospital night shifts and find a nice small to medium size nursing home to settle in .

So does anyone have an idea of pay for an experienced RN inLTC in the area? Does anyone know of facilities that would be well worth looking into? Any particular places I shouldn’t even bother with? Any other ideas or thoughts would be much appreciated.

Cheers, Mel

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Mel --

I'm a transplant to the Phila area myself, though I've been here for more than 2 decades now, and really love the city. In my opinion, Philly is one of the world's great cities - and I've literally been around the world. We have some of the world's greatest art here with the Art Museum, the Rodin and the Barnes Foundation (the Barnes has arguably the best overall collection anywhere in the world). We also have a world-class symphony orchestra, more colleges and universities than anyplace else in the country, a thriving music and art scene, more green space than any other city, plenty of recreational activities as well as both pro and college sports. Perhaps most importantly however, Philly has morre highly rated restaurants and pubs per capita than anywhere else in the US.

As far as employment, while the job market is very tight for new grads (we have about 25 nursing programs in or near the city, so there are many, many new grads), things are generally good for experienced RN's. As is the case everywhere, salaries for nursing jobs in LTC are considerably lower than hospitals. Frankly, I don't really know what LTC salaries are but I would guess that there are not many too far north of the $50k mark. On the plus side, LTC jobs appear to be fairly plentiful for experienced nurses. You can search the Dept of Health & Human Services website for information on specific nursing homes in the Phila area. There are also other commercial sites like this one that aggregate the data for you: Philadelphia Pennsylvania Nursing Home Ratings and Inspection Reports Nursing Home Reviews Philadelphia

By the way, I graduated from Temple (non-nursing undergrad) and got my masters from Drexel (also non-nursing) before going on for my BSN. And by way of total disclosure, I am one of those unemployed new nursing grads - it was supposed to be a career change but I was unable to find a nursing job when I passed the boards several years ago, so I continue to work outside of health care.

Good luck to you. PM me if you have specific questions.

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Chuckster , thank you for such a nice, positive reply. I do have to say I'm very excited about the culture , history, art.....all the possiable areas to explore. I figure I would have several good years before the travel bug hits again.

again, thanks !

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