moving from Charlotte, NC to Tulsa, OK?

U.S.A. Oklahoma

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My husband might be getting a new job in Tulsa. I haven't been there yet and am wondering what it's like, what nursing is like there, pay, etc. I read some threads that said new grads start around $18 plus diff, etc. I have been an RN for over 2 years now, mostly ICU. Base pay is from $20.5 (for new grads) and up, plus $4 night shift diff and $3 for any weekend shift worked ( at least where I work). I always heard NC had low RN pay, but it sounds like OK is lower?

Is there a shortage there? It always seems like we're short here, and our patients keep coming and coming.

What hospitals are good for ICU or ER? I've heard good things about St Francis. Anyone know anything about tuition reimbursement?

What's the weather like? City life?

Thanks for any info.

Laura

my husband is from Tulsa. the ONLY WAY we'd move up there is if he had a 6 fugure salary, I could be a home mom, the earth was flat and pigs were flying and it all happened at the same time.

One things for sure, you will stay employed as a nurse in Tulsa, because there is alwasy an awful lot of gun violence up there.

Take care!

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Hope all is still going well in OK. I am from Rock Hill, SC which is close to Charlotte, NC. I was wondering about Comanche County Memorial Hospital in Lawton, OK. How is the town of Lawton? Rural, suburb? I am a new grad. It seems to offer comprehensive services and has 283 beds. The hospital I precepted/rotated in had 288 beds. How are the nurses and staff? How is the pay? What's there to do? Thanks for any input.

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Specializes in OR, PACU, Psych, Addictions.

Lawton is a small town, 2.5 hrs. from Oklahoma City 3 hours from Dallas Texas. There is a military base there so lots of soldiers. I know one person who lives there she is a school teacher in a catholic school. She says its ok she moved from Austin Tx. she has family in Lawton that needed her. I don't know anything about the hospital other than they need nurses so you would definately have job security and the cost of living would be much less. It's very country low key but you are close enough to big cities if you wanted some excitement. Hopefully this will help. I will tell you as an RN with many years of experience if a hospital is making an offer that sounds to good to be true it is because they are desperate. If it involves signing a contract a year is doable 2 years can be unbearable. I signed a contract with the hospital I am currently working at for one year got half first 6 months and the rest at the end of the year. That was ok.

When I first moved to Oklahoma (Tulsa) many years ago I signed a contract for 2 years and got 2 grand. I made it about 15 months and lost part of the money because I broke the contract which means I had to pay back a portion. A person can do most anything for a year after that if you aren't happy it just magnifys.

Sounds like on the east coast new graduates are having a hard time getting jobs from what I have read its not that hard finding jobs here in the state of Oklahoma.

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Yes it is definitely difficult to find a job as a new grad over here, but I thought that was everywhere. I've applied to 150 jobs all over US. I'm just ready to learn how to be a nurse. I'm hoping to find a hospital that will give me a good foundation. Thank you so much for your input. This site is so helpful in situations like this. I would have never found anyone from OK to get such input. Thanks again.

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Specializes in OR, PACU, Psych, Addictions.

No problem, if you are interested in Oklahoma City there is OU Med Center, Saint Anthony Hospital, Integris Baptist and Heart Hospitals (North & South).

OkC has alot of hospitals for its' size seems like there are alot of jobs and for new grads too.

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Specializes in Ortho, Psych, Med-Surg, OB/GYN.

I LOOOOOOOOVVVEEEE tulsa and wish I still lived there.

I will try to make it short and sweet...

I lived there for 8 years, never ever lacked a job and made GREAT money. As an LPN new grad I started at $12 at a clinic, then quickly progressed and by the time I left I was making 21.50, day shift, on a M/S floor. It's all about talking to people and getting what you want!

I have friends that had no problem getting a job as a new grad RN - and I live 200 miles away and have already received a new grad offer. So I'm sure with a little elbow grease - visit the HR depts and hand carry resumes, etc - you can find something. Even if you start out kinda low, Tulsa has a huge medical field and you're pay will climb pretty quickly with experience.

Places I liked to work when I did agency - Southcrest (awesome), St. John, and St. Francis. Hillcrest was OKAY but not very organized the times I was there. My friend did Tulsa Regional ER for a lot of years and she liked it but I hear from alot of people that it's a tough hospital (of course, county, and has most of the indigent/uninsured population so that is expected). There are two major psych hospitals laureate and shadow mountain, i've worked them both and they of course have pros and cons.

The good thing about Tulsa is there are SO MANY options that you can wiggle your way into whatever field you want eventually.

As far as weather, community, etc..... it rains and storms alot this time of year. Dont' get scared when you're under a tornado watch - happens all the time, just pay attention to the news channels.

It's very GREEN in Tulsa! Lots of trees, not like the rest of flat brown Oklahoma. That's why it's called Green Country. The springs and falls are BEAUTIFUL weather. Winter you will get a snowstorm or two, maybe an icestorm, but it's usually gone in a couple days. The shopping is great, lots of options. Tons of restaurants - I think that's my favorite thing about Tulsa! Huge variety of restaurants. People are friendly for the most part. North Tulsa is a NO-NO..... stay south of the railroad tracks :)..... South Tulsa/Broken Arrow is the prettiest and cleanest part IMO. Some close surrounding cities that have lower cost of living are Sapulpa, Bixby, Owasso, Sand Springs. 71st street is CRAZY TRAFFIC during busy times of the day and weekends/holidays, but for the most part the traffic isnt' too bad considering the city size. Riverside is being built up (the bank of the Arkansas river) and has some really nice attractions like the Aquarium and some good restaurants/shops.

Hope that wasn't too much.

I'm sure there's more :) but dont' want to bore ya....

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I finally found a job! Thank God. The search is over. It is in Oklahoma City, OK. I went out to visit and it seemed laid back and easy going. Traffic wasn't a huge problem. Now I'm having to find an apartment and am not sure of where to live. I know about Norman and Edmund. I spoke with HR but they still could not point out reputable apartments that other employees have stayed and would recommend. So I need some help from anyone who could lend some advice on some nice and decent apartments in OKC and surrounding.

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Specializes in OR, PACU, Psych, Addictions.

Apartments in OKC hmm, depending on where u are working how far you want to be from work etc. If it were me I would look for patio homes or condos for rent. Edmond is a really nice little town, mostly patio homes or condos to rent there. I don't know about apartments in Edmond I can't think of any. I don't know anything about Norman. Northwest Oklahoma City has nice apartments especially around Mercy Hospital on Memorial Road west of MacArthur, and on 122nd street between Meridian and Hefner Parkway. I wouldn't go further east on 122nd past Hefner Parkway, but up around Quail Springs Mall there are new apartments built within the past few years. I would definately stay away from the north east side and south side of OKC unless you go far south like Moore or Midwest City. It may be a good idea to stay at a residence inn for a week or two and talk to coworkers about where a good place to live is. Welcome to Okc.

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Alright. I've visited OU Medical Center, but didn't get to see much of OKC. Everyone mentioned Edmond or Norman as a good place to live. A nurse suggested living in North OKC to be closer to work. Does anyone from OKC have any suggestions about a good area to live. I've heard to stay away from NE side and South side. How are the The Links at Norman apts? What about Village at Quail Springs, Prairie Springs (Phase 2), Post Oak? Any apartment suggestions that are nice with a decent reputation are welcomed. I don't want to sign a lease until I come out to see the apartment, but I will be putting one on hold as I have already lost a decent apartment because it was taken before I got out there. Is there stuff to do in Norman? What about Edmond? Or does everyone come to OKC for shopping, nightlife and mingling? I am 29 years of age. I'm not sure the college town of Norman is my pace or not, but I want suggestions. The apartments I'm interested in seem to run around $800 for 2 BR. That seems pretty steep to me, but I just want to make sure I enjoy where I'm living and am fairly safe. Please, any and all suggestions are welcome. OU Medical HR hasn't offered any suggestions of where to stay. So I'm totally clueless about which apartments are nice. Apartmentratings.com has very bad reviews about all the apartments I am interested in. Someone please advise or personally email me. I have to re-book flights, hotel and find an apartment by THIS MONTH. I've already delayed the move once due to no apartments being available. So thanks in advance for your help.

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Specializes in CVICU, SICU, PCU, ER.

I am considering taking a travel job at Hillcrest in the ER. Does anyone have any experiences with Hillcrest (particularly ER) they can share? I did a short stint in ICU at Muskogee Regional and it was AWFUL. I do not want that to happen again!

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Tulsa is not a bad city at all. It is cheap to live here and the people are friendly. It is an ideal place to raise a family. While there are many problems with this city (roads and many of its schools) it is still a great place to call home. A lot of people who live here have lived in other parts of the country and somehow are gravitate back to the city.

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Whatnext-

Are you still at St. Francis? I am from Tulsa, I moved to Charleston, SC and now am about finish nursing school and move back to Tulsa in 9 months! I've heard that now St. Francis is the place to be. How are you/did you like it? I'm interested in the ER, but i don't think I can do that right away as a new grad. Hospitals here are hiring new grads into every ICU department it seems though. How is the pay there at St. Francis? Benefits? Just curious, because that is the hospital I was paying the most attention to. Thanks! you can email me at [email protected] as well.

Megan

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