Catch-22 RN

Hi, I am thinking of working in the city like at Georgetown, GW etc. I would be living with someone working in DC also. We have no idea what good affordable areas we could live in at this point. This is a possible move that will be in a year or two. Any salary and cost of living info would be great. I would be looking into working full time with benefits. Thanks

HI, I am from California and might need to move to the DC area due to a family member taking a job there. I see the salaries are much lower in DC. I am an ICU nurse with 8yrs of experience and 1year of service in Iraq with the Army as an RN. Is it really possible to live in or around the DC area on a nurses salary without being poor? I am used to the inflated wages in Cali and the high cost of living. It seems DC has a high cost of living with a lot lower wages. I would appreciate any input on salaries and cost of living. Thanks

Hi all, I am a RN is in California (San Francisco Bay Area). I am an ICU nurse with about 5 years of experience. I like my job it pays well staff are nice and all, but I love NYC. I really want to move there. I was thinking about coming out as a traveler to Manhatten, in Feb. 09, however with the news about this fininancial crisis I am now afraid of leaving my job. I know people say nursing is pretty recession proof but I can't help but feel this is not the time to give up a job and start another one. My family and friends give me mixed advice as some say play it safe and others tell me I am just getting scarred and finding reasons not to go. I would appreciate input from nurses who work in NYC and tell me is nursing really all that "recession proof." I have been reading threads and I know New Grads are having a hard time and I know the new grad market in Cali is tough even those with experience are not finding jobs easily. I can't help but feel I should be thankful I have a job now and maybe at least for a while get my NYC fix with another trip out there. Cheers!

HI, I am from California and thinking of relocating to NYC. Just wondering how difficult it is to find work. I have 5 years of ICU experience. I am most interested in a position at NYU or Colombia Presb. Also wondering if it was a reasonable to expect to pay $2000 a month for an appartment in Manhatten and I was was estimating I could expect a wage of $80,000 a year. I would really appreciate if someone could fill me in. Thanks.:wink2:

Hi, I am think of moving to Chicago next year and was just wondering if one can live/afford to live in Chicago on an RN salary. I would like to own a condo within the city and was wondering if that possible. I am living in the San Francisco/Bay Area now. I like it here but it is really expensive and I will not beable to afford to by a shack here. Just wondering if I could get some personal experiences. I am a single gal...no kids/husband to support if that helps! Thanks MB rn

Thanks so much for the information. Could you give me an idea what a one bedroom would go for if I were to say live on the West side of Chicago. Also what is average pay? You have been very helpful and it is nice to know that there are jobs to be had. I am going to apply for my Ill. license and plan on applying next spring. I love Chicago. I want to save a little more money out in California as I am making pretty big San Francisco $. I like California as it is my home an has been very good to me but Chicago is calling me! Thanks again!

Hi, I am an ICU nurse with 4 years of experience. I have a BSN. I am from California thinking of relocating to Chicago next year. How difficult is it to find a job in Chicago? Could any one give me advice on hospitals in the area. Thanks

Thanks for all the responses. I plan on staying in California for another year and save some more money and then apply for a job in Chicago as it is definately more affordable. In a year I will have $50,000 to put a down payment on a condo or something and from what I see on Craiglist real estate section in Chicago that will get me a decent place. In California $50,000 gets you know where. For a nurses with 4 years ICU experience what is the average wage I can expect? Happy new year!

Hi, Just wondering if anyone can give me some advice. I currently work in an ICU in the San Francisco Bay Area. My base pay is $95,000 a year and with shift differential and weekend pay I will make $120,000 this year. I am 26 years old and have 4 years of experience. I like my job and where I live however even on this wage it will prove very difficult to buy a house/condo in this area. I went to Chicago for a couple of weeks and loved the city. I noticed housing is more affordable. In about a year I will have $100,000 saved. Can someone tell if it would be wise to take a lower paying job in Chicago but then take advantage of the more afordabel housing? Or stay in California and buy a condo for $500,000. I know I am spoiled in California with the ratio's. I would love if someone could give me insight as to how much my salary would be in Chicago, what it is like to work in Chicago, and if it would be a wise career and life move. Thanks!