Moving to Norwalk CT

GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN · Oct 3, 2008

Stamford probably best pick,for onco, good pay, nice metro city. Norwalk 2nd, Bridgeport- more innercity, excellent burn unit. Stamford would be quite expensive to live in, Norwalk a little pricey as well.(Fairfield County). Bridgeport, gotta be careful, there are nice parts, and not-so-nice parts of the city, more of the latter, its a pretty run-down city. You may also want to consider Yale, unless your looking to be closer to NYC. You may want to post in the CT nurses forum, but that site usually doesn't get many hits. I think whatever you decide would be fine, they are all under the Yale umbrella, Good Luck

barbyann · Oct 3, 2008

Stamford and Norwalk are great places to work. Great Onco services. Your problem will be finding a decent, affordable place to live. Good Luck!

Oh, Norwalk is union, Stamford is not.

NOTROCK1 · Oct 6, 2008

Thanks for info-but I forgot to mention that I plan to live in norwalk, and possibly commute to either bridgeport or Stamford. Although, I do know people from Bridgeport and new haven, so Im up to speed with those areas and I never heard anything good about those cities-living there was never considered. But my cousin lived in norwalk and fairfield, she told me about the pricey housing, but she probably makes a half or maybe less than what I make, she lives in NY now.Do you think I could get by on a nurse's pay, I checked out salary wizard.com's cost of living comparison calculator and it panned out to be ok.(compared stamford to prov,RI) Most of the difference was in housing.

Thanks again, your reply was helpful. :clown:

NOTROCK1 · Oct 6, 2008

Thanks, but I never worked for a union hospital what are the pros/cons to being in a union? Your right about housing, I've heard. Thats why I need the scoop on those hospitals. What salary range should I negotiate, I dont want them to try and pull a fast one on me, Im pretty good at negotiating when it comes down to things, but I need to know what the average pay would be for someone with my experience.

That would help a bunch,

I do understand pay scales are not the only factors when considering a hospital, because you can end up with good pay but the unit or hospital can be a zoo.

Once again thanks. :yeah:

barbyann · Oct 6, 2008

You need to interview at both Norwalk and Stamford. Get a feel for them. I know more about Stamford personally, but have friends at Norwalk.

Ortho floor at Norwalk recently lost their award winning Nurse Manager to Stamford Hospital's Ortho/Gen Surg unit. Subsequently, their Ortho floors both are managed well. She set up Norwalk for success and is now working on Stamford's culture and bottom line. Big emphasis on team efforts. Very busy floors, lots of TKR/THR at both. Stamford Ortho floor is also Urology, ENT, Neurology. Stamford is Magnet and Planetree. Stamford and Norwalk are about the same size.

Stamford has recently been approved for open heart procedures. Norwalk I don't believe is. Stamford has re-done their telelmetry floor/rooms and it is beautiful. If you want to do telemetry and branch into open heart post-ops Stamford may be the place to do that. Norwalk tele is a busy unit and I know a few nurses there who are happy. Both tele units have high admission rates. Last time I worked tele at Stamford we had 10 admissions on 7p-7a, on a 31 bed unit. Ratios are a little lower at Stamford and that helps.

If it looks like I am leaning towards Stamford its cause I miss it there. I left a year ago because of a long commute (I moved one hour away because I couldn't afford to live in the immediate area). I am now at a huge inner city hospital and I don't like it much. I am trying to get back into Stamford even with the commute, and I am hoping the housing crisis will change the rental rates in Stamford. Buying is out of the question, average house price in Stamford was $800,000 this past year. Neither hospital will require you to dicker for your salary. They take your years experience, your level of education and plug it into a formula that gives your starting base rate. Differentials at Stamford are good, evening 12%, nights 20% but weekend pay is only $2 an hour more. Big difference between day and night pay.

Union backing is really a non issue. I praise Norwalk for voting the Union in because that has caused Stamford Hospital to keep their benefits and pay in-line with Norwalk to stay competitive. Norwalks union does the work and we all reap the benefits. Stamford has attempted to unionize in the past but it was thwarted by admin throwing money at the nurses (bonuses and pay increases) to stop the union activity.

Good Luck. :up:

NOTROCK1 · Oct 6, 2008

You need to interview at both Norwalk and Stamford. Get a feel for them. I know more about Stamford personally, but have friends at Norwalk.
Ortho floor at Norwalk recently lost their award winning Nurse Manager to Stamford Hospital's Ortho/Gen Surg unit. Subsequently, their Ortho floors both are managed well. She set up Norwalk for success and is now working on Stamford's culture and bottom line. Big emphasis on team efforts. Very busy floors, lots of TKR/THR at both. Stamford Ortho floor is also Urology, ENT, Neurology. Stamford is Magnet and Planetree. Stamford and Norwalk are about the same size.
Stamford has recently been approved for open heart procedures. Norwalk I don't believe is. Stamford has re-done their telelmetry floor/rooms and it is beautiful. If you want to do telemetry and branch into open heart post-ops Stamford may be the place to do that. Norwalk tele is a busy unit and I know a few nurses there who are happy. Both tele units have high admission rates. Last time I worked tele at Stamford we had 10 admissions on 7p-7a, on a 31 bed unit. Ratios are a little lower at Stamford and that helps.
If it looks like I am leaning towards Stamford its cause I miss it there. I left a year ago because of a long commute (I moved one hour away because I couldn't afford to live in the immediate area). I am now at a huge inner city hospital and I don't like it much. I am trying to get back into Stamford even with the commute, and I am hoping the housing crisis will change the rental rates in Stamford. Buying is out of the question, average house price in Stamford was $800,000 this past year. Neither hospital will require you to dicker for your salary. They take your years experience, your level of education and plug it into a formula that gives your starting base rate. Differentials at Stamford are good, evening 12%, nights 20% but weekend pay is only $2 an hour more. Big difference between day and night pay.
Union backing is really a non issue. I praise Norwalk for voting the Union in because that has caused Stamford Hospital to keep their benefits and pay in-line with Norwalk to stay competitive. Norwalks union does the work and we all reap the benefits. Stamford has attempted to unionize in the past but it was thwarted by admin throwing money at the nurses (bonuses and pay increases) to stop the union activity.
Good Luck.

Wowww! You are so informative. :bow: I graduated from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI with my BSN. Although Ive always worked, 7a-7p, I am leaning towards 7p-7a for better pay. Presently I live in SC, just moved down in August, trying to get my daughter and I out of inner city Prov. In the interview the position I took sounded great, as far as no wk ends, and you dont do the e/o holiday thing down here,etc. But they waited until orientation to hit everyone with the surprises, cons definetly out weigh the pros, let me tell ya:no: The pay is lesser than my previous job but I was planning to make up for it picking up per diem shifts at a nursing home. I could make excellent money working per diem at a nursing home back in Prov, down here they pay next to nothing at nursing homes and are mostly staffed with LPNs. So basically I have no outlet to extra cash here, my pockets are hurting(check to check). Its hard when you are used to a certain way of living. Anxious to get back north but not back to Prov, I chose the Norwalk area due to proximity, close to NY and Prov, daughter and her dad are used to seeing each other daily, so this way she could spend wk ends in Prov with him. Now, are you having a hard time getting back into Stamford because you left or is it a tough process to get in there? Im glad to hear about the team effort, worked at a magnet hospital back home and didnt see much of that there. Question, Thinking of leaving SC after the holidays, good or bad idea? Meaning, if I start applying now is it too early for them to consider me for hire in Jan, or should I apply in Dec. I just dont want to wait last minute to look for a decent affordable apt. Plus you need the job offfer first. Also, do you know of them offering relocation or sign on bonuses? A relocation bonuses would definetly help me out.

Once again Thanks alot,

look forward to your reply:yeah:

barbyann · Oct 6, 2008

Relocation and sign on bonuses are changing as we speak. The economy is hitting hard. Stamford was offering $10k sign-on, payed out over 18 mos. in 3 installments. I do not know what it is now. I say apply now for Jan. It is never to early to start the dialogue.

I am having trouble getting back in because I want a special weekend only opportunity and it seems they have put those positions in a freeze for now. I am trying to wait it out till the thaw (flu season, when they are desperate). We will see. They have frozen these positions before but always open them back up in times of need.

Lots of extra cash to be made. Not uncommon for nurses to work two jobs around there. It is a must to afford cost of living. Jobs were plentiful a few weeks ago, but things seem to be changing with the financial crisis, it is hard to speculate what changes are ahead.

NOTROCK1 · Oct 6, 2008

Relocation and sign on bonuses are changing as we speak. The economy is hitting hard. Stamford was offering $10k sign-on, payed out over 18 mos. in 3 installments. I do not know what it is now. I say apply now for Jan. It is never to early to start the dialogue.
I am having trouble getting back in because I want a special weekend only opportunity and it seems they have put those positions in a freeze for now. I am trying to wait it out till the thaw (flu season, when they are desperate). We will see. They have frozen these positions before but always open them back up in times of need.
Lots of extra cash to be made. Not uncommon for nurses to work two jobs around there. It is a must to afford cost of living. Jobs were plentiful a few weeks ago, but things seem to be changing with the financial crisis, it is hard to speculate what changes are ahead.

Gotcha loud and clear.....good at least I know theres money to be made, Im a go-getta, culture here is different. When I asked the nurses on my job what they did for extra cash they looked at me like I was crazy. Most of them are married and the ones that arent are just satisfied with the one job. They said they are just used to being broke or making ends meet. You know, basically that country simple way of living sort of attitude. But I guess this darn Yankee isnt ready to settle for that,LOL.... Going to hit up Stamford and Norwalk's websites, see what they have available.

From what you've told me there seems to be oppurtunity for me there, at least job wise. Plus my daughter will love the fact that she can run down the street to a corner store..ha-ha!!

Nice chatting, I will keep you posted when I get some offers..let you know what the scoop is.

See-ya:up:

GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN · Oct 7, 2008

Unless you are planning to live w/roomates I'm afraid Stamford and Norwalk may be way too expensive... I vote no on Bridgeport but you should definitely keep an open mind regarding New Haven, it has changed considerably and they've really done a lot around the downtown/ yale univ campus, lot of outdoor cafes, bistros, martini and piano bars, very safe to walk around, lots of young people around. I just wish it was that way 20 yrs ago!! plus, there are lots of affordable housing close by that is not in New Haven itself. If I were young and single today, I would definitely consider living there, it's really got a lot going on

http://www.visitnewhaven.com/base/index.cfm

NOTROCK1 · Oct 24, 2008

Unless you are planning to live w/roomates I'm afraid Stamford and Norwalk may be way too expensive... I vote no on Bridgeport but you should definitely keep an open mind regarding New Haven, it has changed considerably and they've really done a lot around the downtown/ yale univ campus, lot of outdoor cafes, bistros, martini and piano bars, very safe to walk around, lots of young people around. I just wish it was that way 20 yrs ago!! plus, there are lots of affordable housing close by that is not in New Haven itself. If I were young and single today, I would definitely consider living there, it's really got a lot going on
http://www.visitnewhaven.com/base/index.cfm[/quote
Well I have been considering New Haven, applied to YNHH this tuesday. But I was wondering what their starting Salary was for someone with my exp(1-2yrs). Also would like some info on some of the surgical units, I applied to 4 postions, I think one was a critical care area, med/surg and the other two were surgical units. But not really sure what the units consist of, not much stated on the job description. In your opinion whats the best surgical floor at YNHH, as far as pt load, team players etc. Or should I say what units should I stay away from if offered a position. Dont want to get blind-sided. Also whats the shift differentials there, this will help me with my decision when I am offered a position. Oh, I almost forgot, whats the hiring process like?
Thanks a bunch!!
look forward to your reply.

GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN · Oct 26, 2008

I think your starting salary should be in the 28-31/hr range, I think most of the surgical units are fine, I would stay away from the medical floors, 5-5, 5-7, 9 wp (med onc), lots of staffing problems there,8 wp great teamwork and support, all the ICU's offer great orientation program. I can't tell you about the hiring process, that was 20+yrs ago for me no resume, filled out an application!!! Shift diff is about $4.50 for nocs , If you like to feel your oates there is always the Nursing Resource Pool, you do make $3.00/HR more base pay and only work every third weekend. You can really set your own schedule there. I'd have to check on the weekend and eve diffs, I;ll let you know