Moving from CA to Denver

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I'm currently working in a hospital in Central California and thinking about transitioning to Denver, Co next fall. Right now the community I work in is rural and has a low cost of living and RNs are paid well mid 30s to low 40s. I am curious about the job outlook in Denver for a 4 year ER RN with a BSN. Also curious about hourly pay in the hospital setting, are there unions, and what's cost of living like generally in Denver. Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Cost of living - high. With 4 years of experience, you can expect $28-30/hour.

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Wow, so how are RNs making ends meet there? I can't imagine taking a 10-12 hourly pay cut and living anywhere as near as comfortably as I do now. It's a fun and beautiful city though.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Wow, so how are RNs making ends meet there? I can't imagine taking a 10-12 hourly pay cut and living anywhere as near as comfortably as I do now. It's a fun and beautiful city though.

Well, "high" is a relative term. I'm sure rent is lower in Denver than it is in most places in California. But it's gone up quite a bit in the 5 years I've lived here. As far as how we make ends meet - well, I'm married to a nurse. We've both been in the field for a decade, so we make good money. How a new grad RN living alone would make ends meet? Dunno.

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