nursing issues

Greetings! I'm new to nursing and considering a move to the Springfield/Decatur area. I'd just like to find out some area-specific concerns that nurses have in this area. What's the pay like? Working conditions? Is INA a real advocate for nurses in this area? How many RNs are union? What are the opportunities for specializations in cardiac care? And ... last but not least, what is the social climate like? We are a small family but we love camping, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Thanks for your help!

AMYoung

Welcome! I don't live in Central IL anymore, but can attest that it is a beautiful area with plenty of nursing opportunities and a reasonable cost of living. My cousin works at Milliken Univ. in Decatur, and was finally able to afford his first home on an instructor's salary. Having come from Philadelphia, he thought he would never be a home owner.

I used to belong to INA, but dropped my membership many years ago when I realized that I was paying substantial dues to an organization that did little, if anything for my benefit. I switched my malpractice insurance to another source with much lower premiums and never looked back.