New Grad Nurse! Louisiana or Texas?! HELP!!!!

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Hello all!

I am a new graduate nurse and I've been offered two positions in North Louisiana on step down, telemetry, and one in MICU in Dallas, TX. I'm undecided on which to take when it comes to the cost of living. I'm not so sure if it will be worth it to move to Dallas from North Louisiana when it comes to the cost of living in Texas. Can anyone help me out on this from their experience?

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Hi Fancy

what part of LA do you live and is there a pay difference? I have family in both areas and I was just interested in knowing thx

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I'm in Monroe, La. The pay starting off in Monroe is $22.15 base salary with a $4 shift differential for nights and $2 extra on weekends.

The position in Dallas is $24 base, $8 shift diff for nights ($3 for evenings and $5 for nights) and $6 extra on weekends.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
I'm in Monroe, La. The pay starting off in Monroe is $22.15 base salary with a $4 shift differential for nights and $2 extra on weekends.

The position in Dallas is $24 base, $8 shift diff for nights ($3 for evenings and $5 for nights) and $6 extra on weekends.

Hi! I live in Monroe also! Have u applied at St. Francis?

Anne, RNC

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Hello sissiesmama! I have applied at St. Francis and I actually have an interview there tomorrow for the 5th floor on Telemetry. The positions I've been offered as of now are at University Health-Shreveport on Step Down & Telemetry. ICU is where I really want to be....

How is it working at St. Francis? I've heard there was a high turn over rate on Med-Surg and Telemetry there. I'm also wondering what my take home pay would be. It's not my main concern, I just would like to know. My main concern is getting the best training I can get and to be able to advance in my career.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Hi Fancy! The starting pay there is right about what u said in your earlier post.

I have worked on med- surg before I transferred to the ER. Sending u a pm if I can -

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in L&D.

I don't know anything about Texas but I just left University Health in Monroe in May to work in North Carolina. The experience you will learn at UH is amazing. I did L&D and dealing with that patient population, prepares you for just about anything.

The tele unit at St Francis has a history of terrible turnover and I've heard some bad things about the unit.

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Thanks for the post. I live i Houston after moving from Dallas to finish nursing school. I am originally from Monroe and have considered moving back. I can't see myself working for that rate. I trained at CTC back in 01' to be a surgical tech and I make 29.71 now, so I need to see some type of increase once I finish. That's a huge pay cut, but that's good to know. I graduate in May.

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