One more question to ask before moving to Dallas.

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 4, 2006

Check http://www.salary.com for your specialty. I find that their data tends to be slighly under the usual.

It depends on where you work, the unit you work in, and your experience, but pay rates are very good here!

RNcool · Jul 4, 2006

I will like to work at a dallas local hospital on a med/surg floor with my one and half year nursing experience. How much they will pay RN like me then? Appreciate your answers very much, thanks!

Amy.

CJH RN · Jul 4, 2006

Hi Amy,

Why Plano? I mean, it is nice and all but the Fort Worth side of town is just as nice and much less expensive to live. More house for your money on our side of town and the pay rate is the same in Dallas or Fort Worth. 1-2 yrs experience probably looking at $20/hr plus any diffs you might get if you worked 2nd, 3rd or weekend shifts. Good luck,

Cindy

RNcool · Jul 4, 2006

20/hr is low pay for me, I will rethink about moving to dallas if that is the case. With 1.5 yr expeperienc, I am getting paid 23.5/hr at a phoenix hospital med/sug floor. Anymore opinons? Thanks!

Amy

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 4, 2006

20 is more like new grad pay. You would be more likely to get 22 to 24 - depending on hospital, unit etc. You will have to apply and see what they offer you.

Look at Parklands website - they list their salaries for experience levels. Their salaries run lower generally than the other facilities in the area - although Parkland just got raises so it is more closely matched at the moment.

Salary alone is not the only factor to consider. Cost of living is significantly lower here. There is no state income tax, although there are higher property taxes that offset that to some degree (you still come out ahead though) and other factors that influence total costs.

JaxiaKiley · Jul 5, 2006

What draws you to Plano over all the other choices?

RNcool · Jul 6, 2006

Plano has good school district for my kids. Traffic is not as bad as other cities. Which hospital you guys can recommend in Plano area? Thanks!

Amy

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 6, 2006

Traffic is just as bad in Plano as everywhere else - everywhere in North Texas is all one big mess at 5 pm!

As for schools, there are a lot of great school districts all around the North Texas area - it isn't so much the district as it is the individual school.

There are hospitals not in Plano that are near Plano - it just depends on the size of facility you want to work at and what you want to do. Driving in Plano is the same as driving around Plano - the traffic congestion does not spare Plano. All of the facilities in and around Plano are pretty nice places to work honestly. Childrens is building a new hospital over in NW Plano.

I wouldn't get so hung up on living IN Plano - there are lots of places to live that have really great schools, nice housing (for a lot less money) - I would base where to live on where a good fit for you and your family is in terms of the people, things your family likes to do and what kind of jobs you and your SO are looking for. Plano is a good place to start, but I wouldn't just be dead set on that.

JaxiaKiley · Jul 6, 2006

Thanks Gauge -- That's what I was trying to get at. I just wanted to make sure Amy wasn't trying to be near family (or something like that) in Plano before I said it :)

LKG6 · Jul 6, 2006

Childrens is building a new hospital over in NW Plano.

Is it near Baylor Plano? I have seen a huge construction site there.

Katie

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 6, 2006

No - the contruction near Baylor Plano is an office building or outpatient center I believe (don't quote me). Childrens is going in closer to Legacy and 121.