Possible to make it work?

[ssczesny]

I'm curious about any RN's in Hawaii and how they're doing? I'm considering a move there and have been getting mixed signals about how possible it is to live and work in Hawaii as an RN and still be comfortable financially.

I understand the pay is higher than most mainland rates, but does it match well to the cost of living? Is working in Honolulu as a full time RN an acceptable means of income? Or do you barely scrape by?

Thanks for any input

[Postpartum RN]

I am interested in this as well

[mirandaaa]

Can't contribute any info but...

Take me, take me!!

[mcubed45]

Well the average income in Hawaii is $30K

Nurses at most hospitals make just over $100k

Nurses do quite well compared to a lot other career options. But even with that income, the biggest challenge is housing.

[notnursezelda]

Glad to know that nurses are doing well somewhere, but...its interesting, why is housing be such a challenge?

[Wb808]

nurses here barely make enough to scrap by. Do not move here to do nursing, but worth it.

[TheGoodRN2015]

Nurses at most hospitals make just over $100k

.

^^ You're kidding me, right? Regular RN's in Hawaii make gross income over $100K? Hard to believe that.

Plus the cost of living in Hawaii is crazy, and for new graduate nurses, don't even think about working in Hawaii. "Most" hospitals here only hire nurses who have years of acute care experience.

[mcubed45]

^^ You're kidding me, right? Regular RN's in Hawaii make gross income over $100K? Hard to believe that.

Plus the cost of living in Hawaii is crazy, and for new graduate nurses, don't even think about working in Hawaii. "Most" hospitals here only hire nurses who have years of acute care experience.

$55/hr x 40hrs x 52wks = $102960

That's not including differentials or OT.

[notnursezelda]

55 an hour seems a bit high. here starting rate is 25, i dont think, even with a few years experience + annual raises,.. how do you get 55?

[mcubed45]

55 an hour seems a bit high. here starting rate is 25, i dont think, even with a few years experience + annual raises,.. how do you get 55?

that's the job rate at every major hospital on oahu.

[nurseman81]

Don't let some of these people detract you. I moved to Honolulu from near Seattle in February and work at a major hospital here. They paid me a 5K relocation allowance and put me up in a 4 star hotel for 30 days in order for me to get housing. I started out at a base of 49.10 per hour plus differential during my probationary period and have increased to 54.55 plus differential.

It it is completely possible to love here and be comfortable. Everything has advantages and drawbacks. Oahu is a crowded island of almost a million people; it can be a challenge to find housing but not impossible. Moving here is entirely doable.

some nurses work a full time and a part time/per diem job to make things comfortable.

[notnursezelda]

Don't let some of these people detract you. I moved to Honolulu from near Seattle in February and work at a major hospital here. They paid me a 5K relocation allowance and put me up in a 4 star hotel for 30 days in order for me to get housing. I started out at a base of 49.10 per hour plus differential during my probationary period and have increased to 54.55 plus differential.

It it is completely possible to love here and be comfortable. Everything has advantages and drawbacks. Oahu is a crowded island of almost a million people; it can be a challenge to find housing but not impossible. Moving here is entirely doable.

some nurses work a full time and a part time/per diem job to make things comfortable.

thanks for the input!

I'm curious though, even with that amazing 49 dollar starting rate, is that just for nurses with experience or new grads as well?

also, whats it like living there, as far as expenses? if the majority of my income is going to housing, rent, bills, that wont really matter if im making 50k, or 100k, so is it expensive to live there?

thanks!