Moving to Arizona

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Hello Nurses from Arizona!

I'll be a new BSN graduate from Texas in August and planning to relocate to AZ (Chandler) since my whole family lives there. Can someone please, please and please tell me what the pay range is for new graduates, what are some good hospitals to look for a job, and if it's a good idea to relocate right after graduation or should I stay in Texas to get some experience and then move to AZ? I miss my family terribly though:o

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Specializes in behavioral health.

New grad pay rates are not very good. I live in Tucson, but I'm sure it wouldn't be too different. I would say about $22-26 an hour? The VA pay rate is much higher! Being close to your family is probably worth more than the extra money. Nurses are horrible about looking after their personal needs.

good luck!!!!

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Specializes in NICU.

Most new grad pay here in the valley starts at $24/hour. So it's definitely higher than most new grad pay in parts of TX, but the cost of living is more.

Lots of great hospitals around here. What area are you looking at working in? The Phoenix area is huge, so if I have a better idea of what area, I can head you in the right direction as far as some good hospitals. Also, what kind of commute do you want? There are some great hospitals in the east valley (if you're planning on living in Chandler, then east valley hospitals would be a short commute). There are also tons of great hospitals in Phoenix, but it'd be a bit of a longer commute if you live in the east valley.

If it were me, I'd just move here and get your new grad training here. No sense in staying there and being miserable, missing your family and all. There are a lot of big hospitals here that train new grads and have great orientation programs. You might have to get a job at a Phoenix hospital to start with (just because that's where the biggest hospitals are and they are the ones with the major orientation programs that hire the most new grads ..... although you can find some in the east valley too).

Good luck to you!

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Thanks for taking the time to answer my message. My family lives in Chandler and I'd like to find a good hospital in the area. I need to do some good research on the hospitals. is there a trauma one hospital? what about the county hospital? what about hospitals with programs for new grads? I'm thinkng about visiting my family in about 2 weeks so I'l take same time to maybe go to some facilities and ask questions.

thanks again for the advice!!!

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