I had been considering moving to the Pittsburgh area (long story) but I'm a little concerned about the job market. I currently live on Long Island, starting salaries can approach $70,000 but the cost of living is outrageous - ex. I pay $5800 a year property taxes on a 2-bedroom 1 bath house on a 60x112 lot - no garage or basement!
I know the starting pay for new grads in Pittsburgh is around $20+ but cost of living is way less. I would actually be able to sell my house here and buy one in PA for cash.
I thought UPMC would be a good place to work (I'm interested in their RN to BN or MSN), but I keep reading about how shortstaffed they are and how lousy their pay is. I know it's probably because of consolidation, but we're also experiencing hospital consolidation here (North Shore LIJ is gobbling up everybody, and there is already a Catholic Health Systems chain of hospitals in place, fewer independent hospitals). It makes me worry it will affect wages, and I can't afford to live here if it does. I considered going to North Carolina, but a friend of mine says the growth is ridiculous and crowding is making is very unpleasant where they live in Charlotte. I've read some articles indicating Pittsburgh is going thru a renaissance, kind of like Atlanta about 15 years ago.
Can anybody offer me reasons to move to Pittsburgh as an RN? Are you happy there? Or should I keep looking?
Hmmmm this has started me thinking now. I live in Western MD and for a year now DH and I have been seriously thinking on relocating to Pittsburgh when I finish NS. One, because the cost of living is so much less (our county, Frederick County, is becoming so innundated with rich Montgomery County people which is one of the RICHEST counties on the east coast its rediculous) and two, because of the influx of Montgomery County people, the atmosphere around here has changed A LOT! I moved here from Montgomery County (or MoCo as people say) because people were NICE here.....its turning bad, and from everything I have seen about Pittsburgh, it is what Frederick used to be 5 years ago, except A LOT bigger! And 3rd, DH is a HUGE Steeler/Pirate fan (his parents grew up in Cumberland, MD). But if the pay there is THAT bad, and job prospects are that bad for non healthcare folks...........Im scared. DH works in the auto industry. Its kinda sad...........we've been getting all excited to move there in the next 5 years or so.
I moved to Pittsburgh from Chicago to go to school in the 70s. What I loved about Pittsburgh was the trees, hills, flowers, wildlife. I also liked that it was a small city so I could get out of town and go to the mountains easily. Rush hour here is nothing compared with Chicago.
What I didn't like about Pittsburgh was the weather. Not enough sunny days. I also missed Chicago's restaurants and museums. I especially miss the bicycle paths along Lake Michigan. Riding a bicycle here is definitely more of a workout with Pittsburgh's many hills.
Chicago is one of my favorite cities!:redpinkhe I loved being on the shores of Lake Michigan. One thing I noticed about Chicago is that it's really FLAT and I didn't see a lot of greenery. There are plenty of hills and mts around Pgh and I just love seeing all the trees. But Chicago definetly has more culture and it's easier to get around than Pittsburgh.
Hmmmm this has started me thinking now. I live in Western MD and for a year now DH and I have been seriously thinking on relocating to Pittsburgh when I finish NS. One, because the cost of living is so much less (our county, Frederick County, is becoming so innundated with rich Montgomery County people which is one of the RICHEST counties on the east coast its rediculous) and two, because of the influx of Montgomery County people, the atmosphere around here has changed A LOT! I moved here from Montgomery County (or MoCo as people say) because people were NICE here.....its turning bad, and from everything I have seen about Pittsburgh, it is what Frederick used to be 5 years ago, except A LOT bigger! And 3rd, DH is a HUGE Steeler/Pirate fan (his parents grew up in Cumberland, MD). But if the pay there is THAT bad, and job prospects are that bad for non healthcare folks...........Im scared. DH works in the auto industry. Its kinda sad...........we've been getting all excited to move there in the next 5 years or so.
If you move here, you'll have no trouble finding nursing job openings. With all of our hospitals, jobs are quiet abundent. If you get a job with UPMC, you could easily end up with a pay cut, but the VA, or West Penn may pay you 'what your worth.' PGH isn't all bad, honest!
There's the Allegheny General / West Penn Hospital system but I heard they're having some money problems. Sewickley Valley Hospital is near the city. There's also Ohio Valley Hospital, but I don't know much about it. About 30 miles away there's Butler Hospital.
The RN-BSN programs I've heard of besides Pitt are LaRoche, Chatham, and Carlow colleges. I'm sure there are others too.
I know Duquesne has an RN-BSN, Robert Morris might too, not sure. A number of nurses do the on-line programs with Waynesburg College or Slippery Rock University, both of which aren't too terribly far from the city.
If you move here, you'll have no trouble finding nursing job openings. With all of our hospitals, jobs are quiet abundent. If you get a job with UPMC, you could easily end up with a pay cut, but the VA, or West Penn may pay you 'what your worth.' PGH isn't all bad, honest!
Thanks for that. Its not really MY job prospects that worry me, its hubby's. I've been reading that outside healthcare its hard to find jobs in Pittsburgh. Hubby works in the auto industry, which kinda seems to be tanking at the moment.
Specializes in He who hesitates is probably right....
Pittsburgh was picked by Business Week magazine as #6 on the list of the top 20 places in the US to ride out a recession. As far as the auto biz goes, I don't think it makes much difference where you are, it's not doing well.
Or there are some good hospitals outside of the 'burgh.. like the Excela system which is in Greensburg, Latrobe, Jeanette, ect.. then you are close to the city (for the GAMES) but still not in the city..
Just moved away.. but wasn't a local.. the weather does take some getting used to but, you find many positives.
I would like to resurrect this thread! My DH is considering grad school in late 2010-early 2011 and Pittsburgh is one of our top picks. His school would be near Highland Park. My desire willbe to work L&D or Mother/baby. I intend to begin my own CNM program when he finishes.
I wonder, how is the recession and the RN job market now? Does it look like it will be picking up? We keep hearing here (Balt/DC) that next year the monies will start flowing again and the local hospitals are all expanding.
Are there any good choices for L&D? Specifically, Midwifery friendly?
Also- how about reasonably priced, family friendly neighborhoods with decent public schools? I would like to walk to a store, schools, park, bus stop...wouldn't we all? I don't need to be right downtown though...so I'm open to anything.
Thanks all you Pittsburgh people. I grew up in Ellwood City, but haven't lived there since 1988. I mimss somuch about home.
Are you sure his school is near Highland Park? I can't think of ANY university up in that area...is he at Pitt or CMU? Those are in Oakland. Duquesne and Point Park are downtown.
Magee is the OB/GYN hospital in the city. Children's has a NICU.
If he is going to Pitt/CMU, I would recommend living in Shadyside. Nice, trendy neighborhood and it's affordable. Plus there's the Giant Eagle and lots of stuff to walk to.
Yes, he's looking at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Some of his work would be done at UP Social Work, but not sure how much. We'll know more after going to visit.
The 3 city hospitals with OB-GYN are UPMC Magee, UPMC Mercy, and West Penn. A close friend has delivered at Magee with a midwife, but I can't really make a judgement on the midwife-friendliness of any of them.
Parts of Highland Park are solid family neighborhoods. Also consider close-by Regent Square, Point Breeze, and Squirrel Hill. Much of Shadyside is expensive, although you might find an underpriced bargain.
Remember in pittsburgh theres a monopoly called UPMC, pay is not great and a nurse is treated horribly....Bloomfield is a wonderful community, shadyside is very expensive and has a lot of simple crime, car thefts, breakins etc. Bloomfield is great, ethnic feel and safe, lot's of older residents who would look out for yourself and your children..... And, West penn hospital has a l and d dept and nicu and obviously you could walk to work, being wp hosp is in bloomfield!!....Thee rn job market isn't great in pgh r/t so many rn schools, but with experience you could do well....
TerpGal02, ASN
540 Posts
Hmmmm this has started me thinking now. I live in Western MD and for a year now DH and I have been seriously thinking on relocating to Pittsburgh when I finish NS. One, because the cost of living is so much less (our county, Frederick County, is becoming so innundated with rich Montgomery County people which is one of the RICHEST counties on the east coast its rediculous) and two, because of the influx of Montgomery County people, the atmosphere around here has changed A LOT! I moved here from Montgomery County (or MoCo as people say) because people were NICE here.....its turning bad, and from everything I have seen about Pittsburgh, it is what Frederick used to be 5 years ago, except A LOT bigger! And 3rd, DH is a HUGE Steeler/Pirate fan (his parents grew up in Cumberland, MD). But if the pay there is THAT bad, and job prospects are that bad for non healthcare folks...........Im scared. DH works in the auto industry. Its kinda sad...........we've been getting all excited to move there in the next 5 years or so.