OR vs WA

[MamaBear15]

Hi!

Trying to decide which state would be best to move to. I am a NICU RN, have worked in CA and TX and looking for a change. Which would be better, in your opinion? OR or WA?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Better in what way? This is a really difficult question to answer. Are you wanting city, small town, rural, coastal, plains, mountains? Mild winters and mild summers, or snow in winters and hot? Rain or snow?

[MamaBear15]

I should have clarified, thank you. I guess the nursing scene, pay, patient to nurse ratio, benefits, etc. But knowing about the weather would help too! Mild winters and mild summers would be perfect. Thank you!

[klone, MSN, RN]

Mild weather, stick near the coast. As soon as you go more than 10 miles inland, it becomes much more extreme in the weather.

I can't speak for Washington, but for Oregon you can look at the union contracts at various facilities, including their pay scales.

Labor Department - Oregon Nurses Association

[MamaBear15]

Thanks for the info!

[James75]

Oregon has income tax, Washington has sales tax. Some people live in Vancouver Wa and shop in Portland OR to circumvent this.

[PhatRN]

On 8/5/2018 at 12:59 PM, preemieRN15 said:

Hi!

Trying to decide which state would be best to move to. I am a NICU RN, have worked in CA and TX and looking for a change. Which would be better, in your opinion? OR or WA?

How are you? Did you move or decide where to?

The best areas in WA for Hosp/RN opp.are near Olympia, Seattle and so on...however you will get a lot of rain and snow the farther you go.They have the best hospitals though.

If you like outdoor activities and a summer feel like CA and TX, you stay with OR area. But check the elevation because some parts get thick snow on winter times. I heard Beaverton has a good weather on spring and summer. I hope this helps.