Pay in Central Il?

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I worked in the Chicago area in L&D for almost 8 years. We moved to central Illinois and I'm job hunting now. I have an offer in hand, but the pay seems quite low. I realize that I won't be making the same amount as I would in Chicago, but I am wondering how drastic the difference is. I've looked on several websites for salary comps, and it seems to be only a few dollars difference. This offer is very close to what I made when I graduated 10 years ago. Is the difference that huge away from the city?

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The starting salary for RN here is $22/hr. It's about 60 miles west of Chicago. Don't forget to look at the whole pic..ie, benefits & OT pay. Nothing wrong with asking for higher rate from your potential employer.

Good luck!

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Well the offer I have is less than that, us3Rbent! With no benefits to boot! The research I did puts this offer way below the average for the area, especially for someone in a specialty with a good deal of experience. I just wanted to hear first hand from someone. Thank you!

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Yikes! Is the hospital you have an offer at a large one?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I live near Peoria and worked at the level one trauma center in Peoria for 10 years. I think the starting salary for a new grad is about $18.00/hour in this area. If you work further out in the boonies, its going to be less unfortunately.

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traumaRUs~ I know the hospital you worked at, it is the tertiary for most hosptials around here, including the one at which I interviewed. I did see a listing for new grad positions with a start pay around there. I just figured, like everywhere else, your pay goes up as your experience grows!

nicumom75~ No, it's a small hospital. I'm not sure how many beds the entire hospital has, but the OB unit only had 14 beds I think, or maybe 10. I'm sure that makes a difference in pay, but like I said, this difference seems very drastic and far less than competitive.

Thanks, everyone, for the replies!

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Specializes in NICU.

That's just TOOO low!!!

I would ask them for at least $25.00/hr given your experience. You should try to find out how much a nurse in this unit with as much experience as you have is making....that's how much you should get minus a dollar or so.

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Actually, nurses in Peoria (new grads) start at 19.75/hr.

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Lpn's at the hospitals in Danville,il start at $12 and RN's at $16..Danville is 180 miles south of Chicago and about 30 miles east of Chaimpaign-Urbana.

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Lpn's at the hospitals in Danville,il start at $12 and RN's at $16..Danville is 180 miles south of Chicago and about 30 miles east of Chaimpaign-Urbana.

oh my GOD. i know cost of living and things like that are different,.... but $12 for an LPN? i make more than that as a CNA before shift differential, o granted i work in the chicagoland suburbs... but whoah. although, i have to consider, does this area just treat lpn's as glorified CNAs?

also.. curious [although i have a major bridge to cross first, i took my lpn nclex yesterday and am dying about the results.. i really fear that im going to have to take it again in 3 months..... ]

i'm moving to central il, specifically bloomington-normal and wondering what lpn's out there are doing and how much they're making?

its unfortunate because im really not interested in ltc :(

i'm coming from an ob unit and it's going to kill me not to be able to work in an ob unit anymore assuming that like everywhere else, the only hospital department that will consider lpns is probably med-surg?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

I work at a smaller hospital closer to springfield and our new grad salaries are about 18.00/hr to start. Pay grows quickly the first year with raises every year for the first 5 years, then yearly raises along with everyone else after that.

If you are an experienced nurse you may be able to barter for a bit higher wage to start given some experience coming in the door. Thats not unusual either. The 18.00 is for NEW grads coming in. You have to remember cost of living is lower downstate so salaries will be lower too. Rn wages are still some of the best wages in the area though. Considering all the jobs that have been lost in the area over the last 10 years.

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Specializes in Nursing Informatics, E.R., med surg, ENT.

As a former resident of the Chicago area, I understand your dilema about salaries. However, on the average, the cost of living here is about 20-33% less than up there. But, it does not mean the rates you were receiving will not be comparable or just a little below your current payscale. The rates here in Springfield are $19 to $19.89 for nurses fresh out of school. However, you have proven experience which is very desirable and wanted by both Hospital systems here. One of my friends who is a veteran nurse herself makes about $40 ( am estimating) an hour being a trauma nurse at nights. We have good hospitals here in the area. One of them is even a MAGNET nursing facility. I was recruited by one of these Hospital systems, they have pretty good benefits, supportive HR and staff, and one of the nurses I worked with came from St. Louis got a relocation bonus, a nursing sign on bonus as well. Consider working down here, it's not as hectic as Chicago in terms of traffic, lower property, sales taxes and people are still very friendly. Oh my, I sound like a marketing brochure for the tourist bureau. I hope I answered your questions though and if you need more specifics on the places imentioned, let me know via email.

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