Move to WA or stay in CA?

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jul 22, 2005

You don't state why you want to move to WA. San Diego's weather as you know is second to none. WA (Seattle area) weather is highly unpredictable and not liked by a lot of people.

San Diego and Seattle both have high costs of living but San Diego is higher. It's beautiful up here with a lot of greenery don't get me wrong, but San Diego has its own charm. New Grad RNs in Seattle and all over WA make about $21 to $22/hr starting out with differentials on top of that. WA does have some awesome hospitals with great reps.

Let me know if I can be more specific about something.

kaiteeb61 · Jul 22, 2005

Well, if this makes any sense at all, I kinda feel like Seattle is calling me. I just feel like it would be the right place for me. I really don't think I was meant to be a So. Cal. girl even though I've lived here my entire life. I don't like the beach, at least not the ones down here. I love the rain! I would much prefer a rainy day than a temperate cloudless afternoon. I hate the heat, too! And I would like to be somewhere a bit more laid-back. Everything/everyone down here is so image-oriented. Does any of this make any sense to you? Those are pretty much my reasons for wanting to move.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jul 22, 2005

Yeah you're making sense :)

I've heard that from other folks living in Southern Cali, that everyone's so image-focused.

You may very well love Seattle. It is a great city with lots of things to do. Great diversity and artsy culture. We don't have great beaches though. You have to drive a bit to get to those.

Seattle can be very image-focused too although not to the extent of our Southern Cali friends. Of course this is a generalization, I'm not looking to be flamed by other posters :).

It will be exciting and stressful if you decide to actually move to WA to live and work, but you have a little while to determine if it's really what you want. I would suggest taking a trip up here for a few days on school vacation to give you a better idea if you would like to live here.

blw.rn · Aug 2, 2005

Kaitee, I am curious why you chose Washington. Do you have family here? In response to your questions, it really depends on how you feel about leaving friends/family behind to move somewhere else. Some people find that terrifying, while others would find it exciting. The Seattle area would be appealing to you if you like the big city, otherwise look at opportunities in Eastern Washington. Some towns are decent sized-like where I am, in the Tri-Cities, and we have plenty of opportunities for a new grad with some background medical experience. Best wishes to you as you finish school! BLW

Hello all! I'm currently in school for my ADN, and am considering moving up to Washington when I graduate in April '06. I just wanted to get some advice from nurses that have been out there. Hoping to gain from others experiences. I'm a 24 y/o single female without children and other than my family I have nothing holding me back. I'm just trying to figure out what I would like to do when I graduate. Now rather than later and panicking. I currently live at home while I'm in school and am considering two things. First, I could stay down here in San Diego after I graduate, make use of the contacts I've made so far, work for a year, then go into traveling. Second, I could move right after i graduate and enter a new-grad program up there, then if I still want to travel, go for it.
I really want to move and think starting fresh right when I graduate would be best, but I am interested in your opinions. Could it be too overwhelming? New job, new state, and everything else that goes along? I'm just scared that if i stay down here I will become attached to my colleagues, doctors, etc. and end up staying for them. I moved to San Diego right when I started as a medical asst. and loved it! I adjust well and know it was the right decision before. Any advice?

wasup · Aug 10, 2005

Hello to every one! I read your dialog and found it very interesting. However, what can you tell to someone like me who is planning to move to Seattle from Israel? I bet, it is more complicated in my case.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 10, 2005

Hello to every one! I read your dialog and found it very interesting. However, what can you tell to someone like me who is planning to move to Seattle from Israel? I bet, it is more complicated in my case.

Hello and welcome to the family of allnurses. Good luck to you.

blw.rn · Aug 11, 2005

Again, I think it would all be in your perception. Do you find that a move like that would be an adventure or a terrifying experience? Do you have family/friends in the US? I think it would be beneficial to do some homework first before coming-find out from WA state board of nursing any different requirements for licensure, as compared to Israel's requirements. Are there any additional courses to take? You would probably have to take the NCLEX exam (computerized nursing boards) to get your license. I would also do some research about the jobs that are available. Would you want to live in a big city like Seattle, or would you like a small town? Our state does have a lot to offer...but I would recommend doing some research before coming so you know what to expect. You would be a really long way from home to just turn around and go back! Best of luck to you! :balloons:

Hello to every one! I read your dialog and found it very interesting. However, what can you tell to someone like me who is planning to move to Seattle from Israel? I bet, it is more complicated in my case.

wasup · Aug 11, 2005

Thank you for the reply. So much is unclear from here.

mattsmom81 · Aug 11, 2005

Friends of mine from Cali hate the winters here..they say its too cold...LOL Also too rainy. they however come from a nearly perfect climate...so its relative. :)

I'm originally from northern Minnesota, so the cold and rain here are nothing compared. :)

smk1, LPN · Aug 12, 2005

just thought i would put a word in for portland, OR. It is similar in weather, feel and culture to Seattle (about 2.5 hours south) and it's cheaper. Has some big city qualities but also plenty of suburbs, coffee houses, theaters, festivals, art districts etc... I love Seattle too, but its quite pricey.

estrogen · Aug 14, 2005

Again, I think it would all be in your perception. Do you find that a move like that would be an adventure or a terrifying experience? Do you have family/friends in the US? I think it would be beneficial to do some homework first before coming-find out from WA state board of nursing any different requirements for licensure, as compared to Israel's requirements. Are there any additional courses to take? You would probably have to take the NCLEX exam (computerized nursing boards) to get your license. I would also do some research about the jobs that are available. Would you want to live in a big city like Seattle, or would you like a small town? Our state does have a lot to offer...but I would recommend doing some research before coming so you know what to expect. You would be a really long way from home to just turn around and go back! Best of luck to you! :balloons:

I moved to WA (near Seattle) five years ago from Europe and absolutely fell in love with it here. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else anymore.

Good luck wasup and KateeB61! :)