New Grad Relocating!!

The pay is good, but so is the cost of living and the taxes!! I am a new grad (born and raised in NYC) working in the NICU, my base pay is around 67K/yr with 9K/yr night shift differential. But I get killed in taxes and rent is ridiculous (as well as food and everything else!) The nurse to patient ratios in most hospitals on a med surg floor is pretty horrible as well (anywhere from 8 pts on a well staffed day to 13 on a horrible day - and that is crazy!) If I were in your shoes I would move to California! They really abide by their nurse-patient ratios and they are higher paid as well as pay less taxes. Look into it! Good luck!

The pay is good, but so is the cost of living and the taxes!! I am a new grad (born and raised in NYC) working in the NICU, my base pay is around 67K/yr with 9K/yr night shift differential. But I get killed in taxes and rent is ridiculous (as well as food and everything else!) The nurse to patient ratios in most hospitals on a med surg floor is pretty horrible as well (anywhere from 8 pts on a well staffed day to 13 on a horrible day - and that is crazy!) If I were in your shoes I would move to California! They really abide by their nurse-patient ratios and they are higher paid as well as pay less taxes. Look into it! Good luck!

Hi, I am looking into new grad poitions in the NICU and other peds positions in manhattan...so 8-13 patients a day?? That seems unsafe. Are those grower-feeders or more involved? As far as the pay, do you really struggle with money or are you doing ok? Sorry if this is too personal, its just that I am going to be in your shoes in a few months and I am trying to get a realistic perspective. I am interviewing at NYP-Cornell and Sloan-Kettering in a few weeks... PM if you like, I would love to get any info I can before I move.

Honestly Topaz LPN, I would really take that one year BSN program before making the move. It is extremely difficult to get into an RN program here in NYC. There are just too many applicants. Try to get as much education as possible before coming to NY. I don't think you will have a problem getting a job but there has been talk for YEARS about weaning out Associate degree level RNs here.

erinsprincess I'm curious to know what the pay rate would be for someone in your boat in California. I want to eventually move to LA or Florida and was wondering if I would get the same NY money or MORE.

Hi, I am looking into new grad poitions in the NICU and other peds positions in manhattan...so 8-13 patients a day?? That seems unsafe. Are those grower-feeders or more involved? As far as the pay, do you really struggle with money or are you doing ok? Sorry if this is too personal, its just that I am going to be in your shoes in a few months and I am trying to get a realistic perspective. I am interviewing at NYP-Cornell and Sloan-Kettering in a few weeks... PM if you like, I would love to get any info I can before I move.

The nurse patient ratio in NICU is about 4 to 1 for the growing babies, and either 2 to 1 or 1on 1 for the more critical babies. Of course, depending on staffing but they try to abide by those guidelines as much as possible. (the Med surg floors are where it really gets dangerous! - Much of the staff nurses work under protest. They basically sign a paper saying that they feel the assignment is unsafe and they will do their best but if things go south - excluding negligence, abandonment and general malpractice, they are kind of covered and the union is aware)....Where are you from? NY is a big move and believe me you will be suprised at how much everything costs! (a girl I work with is from out of state and says she made so much less there but because of taxes she only takes home about $200 more every two weeks - but her cost of living has went up so much as well!) If your dream is to live in NY give it a try - but do not do it for the money! NYP is a good hospital for NICU(my hospital is affiliated with it) and of course Sloan is great for Cancer treatment if that is what you plan on specializing in (it is not union though). As far as your question - it depends on what you consider ok - I have help I am engaged and live with him so I am not on my own as far as bills are concerned but if I were I would really have to be tight with money and I am sure I would not be able to save much. Good luck on your interviews..Hope this helped let me know if you have any more questions, I am happy to help.:balloons: