Need Advice

AuntieRN · Dec 26, 2005

Hey Keshia...I haven't worked or lived in MA for about 5 years now..but I do know that when I was there...they were fading out hiring LPN's in the area that I lived in. They would pay the CNAs a bit more and what few LPNs they kept they had work as CNAs. Like I said I do not know what they are doing now especially with the nursing shortage going on. But I can say that at the time the pay for CNAs worked for me. I worked part time and attended school full time. I had bills and rent etc to pay and had only me to support me...so I think you should be ok with that aspect. Good luck in whatever you end up doing.

irishnurse67 · Jan 8, 2006

Hi! I'm originally from OK but here in CA cuz hubby is in the Marines but he'll be getting out in June 2007. We visited MA for 2 weeks last year and absolutely loved it and thinking of moving there when he gets out. My goal is to become a CNM but I was thinking of going to LPN school (will be done before we move there) so I will have higher pay than CNA or whatever, then do the LPN-RN thing once I get out there and then get my Master's. Is the LPN job market near Boston good or would I have better luck just getting my CNA then taking my pre-reqs in CA for my ADN or BSN? But I'm scared if I be a CNA then I wouldn't be able to keep up with the cost of living (we also have a 2 year old daughter...and a Great Dane which is pretty much another human LOL).
Any thoughts?

Hi Keshia!

We have a lot in common! I have a 3-yr-old dtr and a Great Dane! I also was a CNA then a LPN, now an RN in med-surg and I'm working on my Bachelor's. I agree-get your LPN so you can keep up w/the cost of living. The job market here is good for an LPN IF you don't mind working in LTC while you're an LPN.

WorkofHeart8 · Jan 8, 2006

Thanks for the replies!

irishnurse67, that's really neat that you have a 3 year old and a Great Dane! Are you finding it really hard to keep up with the cost of living with them?

Does anyone know how CA cost of living compares to MA? It seems like MA is just a little bit under CA. I'm thinking we're gonna move to Pittsburgh or somewhere with lower cost of living until we get "settled" but I don't want to keep moving.

Leda · Jan 8, 2006

I find the cost of living in Massachusetts to be considerably less than in California. My point of reference for California costs is the Bay area but I'm guessing the costs there are similar to the larger California cities. Housing, food, and fuel are all much less here in Massachusetts. Of course there will be an increase in your home heating expenses (long cold winters).

Be aware that when you get away from the Boston area costs drop considerably. Best of luck with your relocating.

WorkofHeart8 · Jan 8, 2006

Thanks Leda :)

I got the estimates from online cost of living calculators like at bankrate.com and wasn't sure if they were accurate. I haven't yet experienced living on my own with all the "real" expenses like housing, heat, gas, whatever cuz we live on base which is free. So that's why I'm so scared of not being able to make it LOL

WorkofHeart8 · Jan 8, 2006

Also sorry if this is not appropriate to ask but is it true that MA is one of the most racist states? Cuz me and my husband had a bad experience in Salem...not real bad but enough to make hubby not like it as much. Also my history teacher (in college) said that Boston was the most racist city in the U.S.? Not sure if I'd go that far as to the MOST racist but thought I'd ask anyway.

RENAISSANCE RN · Jan 9, 2006

Racism in Boston? Not more than anywhere else in the US. ( unfortunately )

Every place has it's problems.

Are you thinking about the different sections of boston and where certain people live as racism ( ie North End - Italian ) (Southie- Irish). I really like Boston. It is small, easily walkable, and very diverse. But it is a city.

What I can say is that it is very expensive to live in Boston. The suburbs are cheaper, but the condo's intown are so expensive.

Good luck with your choice

tvccrn, ASN, RN · Jan 13, 2006

Normally I would not be the best person to reply to this as I can't stand living in Massachusetts. However, I have to say that I find it to be one of the most NON-racist places I have been. The city has a very diverse population and as home to Harvard and MIT, it's host to many, many cultures. I found I had more of a problem in that I wasn't from there.

The cost of living was a brutal shock to someone coming from Wisconsin. Heck, the house I am buying now costs $100,000. In Mass that wouldn't buy a slum. I found Boston to be a wonderful city to visit and I wouldn't hesitate to visit it again. But live there, not this little chickie.

WorkofHeart8 · Jan 13, 2006

Thank you so much everyone!

CA was such a culture shock from OK, hopefully MA won't be *as* bad as CA. I read somewhere that average housing prices in CA are more but food and gas and stuff are cheaper than MA. Is that true?

WorkofHeart8 · Jan 13, 2006

Also, I might have to postpone going to LPN school cuz hubby is supposably (you never know with the Marines) being deployed for the 3rd time in Jan. 07 and I'd have to go to work, school and take care of daughter and dog by myself and I don't think that'd be too smart. He's not even getting back from his 2nd deployment till next month and they're already telling them when their next one will be! So looks like our move to MA will be later than expected cuz I doubt we'll be able to live there on a CNA salary