Moving to Colorado Spings!?

[Heart456]

Hi guys!

So, my husband and I are relocating to the Colorado Springs area, but I am having a hard time getting in touch with a nurse recruiter at any of the hospitals in the area! I have been attempting to get ahold of them for the past several weeks and... crickets! I am moving from Oklahoma and am use to a low cost of living and need a better understand of the pay in the area so I can plan accordingly. I am a contract nurse so I will have some sort of pay cut when I move since I will be going to a full time position.

I really need to know the job market and what I can expect for pay. I have been in contact with a hospital in Denver that stated my pay would be approximetly $40/hr as an ICU float. I, however, would prefer a job in Colorado Springs that would allow me to support my family. Can anybody give me a pay range for a RN (BSN) with 3 years of ICU experience in the CCU and half a year in a Neuro/Trauma unit at a level 1 Trauma center. I have my CCRN, PALS, ACLS, BLS, and NIH cert.

I am not opposed to work outside of the hospital such as home health or clinic work if the pay is right. We are moving in October/November.

Thanks for any input!

[klone, MSN, RN]

I don't think the wages in the Springs are higher than Denver. As a fulltime nurse (not float or per diem), I would guess that an RN with 3 years of experience would probably start around $30-33/hour.

[Heart456]

Thanks for the reply.

That's not too bad considering the cost of living is quite a bit lower in Colorado Springs. I was hoping for $35/hr, but would be happy with the higher end of $30-$33/hr.

[CX_EDRN]

Yeah, you'll definitely make more as a float nurse in Denver but the cost of living isn't that much lower in the Springs depending on where you are. I would not expect you to get $35/hr with 3 years experience but I could be wrong. I hope I am for your sake. :) Memorial is UCHealth and they are known to pay a little more and they also recently got their Trauma 1 designation. Colorado is notorious for underpaying its nurses, especially considering the cost of living in the urban areas.

[guest769224]

As a fulltime nurse (not float or per diem), I would guess that an RN with 3 years of experience would probably start around $30-33/hour.

Yeah, you'll definitely make more as a float nurse in Denver but the cost of living isn't that much lower in the Springs depending on where you are. I would not expect you to get $35/hr with 3 years experience but I could be wrong.

Do either of you know how much per diem RN's make with a few years experience?

Also, any idea of what the differential is for float pool RN's is?

[CX_EDRN]

Do either of you know how much per diem RN's make with a few years experience?

Also, any idea of what the differential is for float pool RN's is?

Per diem staff is lower than per diem float. Of course everything depends on the system and there are a few big systems and only two independents that I can think of in the big metro areas. In Denver, as staff per diem you can expect mid-30s with 3 years and low to mid 40s as float per diem. But again, it varies with the system and each has its advantages/disadvantages which are my personal opinions and wouldn't post online.