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Got it. Again, thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing! Are holidays part of PTO? For my area’s COL that hourly rate is crazy low but is it enough for a middle class lifestyle in greenville?

May I ask the hourly rate and the PTO monthly accrual?

WOW!, OK. Those are some harsh words

How’s your Greenville experiance?

Stop the back and forth crap! Keep on topic to the original question. Oh, you have no more input? Ok, just read and learn.

I was interested in Texas, more specifically Houston, which is very disaster prone from what I hear. But... I was surprised seeing the average nurse pay compared to the cost of living. I have looked into southern states along the eastern seaboard and while COL is fairly low the pay is also. As attractive as Houston seemed it was the same old weak benefits package common in the southern states. And please lets not fight. I started this thread for knowledge not bragging rights.

Yeah, pretty low but with all the benefits its definitely worth much more! I am interested how well nurses are compensated in other parts of the country. I wanted to move out of nyc for years but research continues to show I have it pretty good here. So I wonder.....

I have worked for a NYSNA hospital in the the NYC area for 10 years. Since becoming vested 5 years ago my vacation time has increased to 5 weeks and a pension is growing. I also have 8 sick days, 8 holidays, and 2 personal days. All time is paid and accrues on a yearly basis. We are allowed to cary 2 weeks vacation into the next year and bank up to 300hrs sick time. Taking pay rates and cost of living out of the equation I think this area offers some of the best nursing benefits in the country. Am I correct? Nurses from other cities/regions share your benefit packages! Post your years of service, city city/region, vacation time, sick time, holidays, pension packages. Feel free to included pay rates!

Thanks for the comments people! Dave, we definitely pay a lot of taxes in NYC and I am confident it won't be as bad almost any place we decide to move. I've been reading all the Florida nursing horror stories on this site with some confusion. On my med-surg floor 6-8 patients is the norm and usually the CNAs are assigned 12-16 patients. I am not familiar with the extent of work nurses do in Florida but we don't do blood draws and only insert foleys. My big concern is the lack of unions. I never negotiated my salary and we get plenty time off (5 weeks vacation, 8 holidays, and 2 personal days). Many people have posted central Florida wages of low $20's for new grads and mid to upper $20's for more experienced nurses. What are your experiences with working conditions and wages?

Hello everyone, My wife and I are considering a move to Melbourne, FL area. We each have several years RN experience in med-surg in NYC. We hear mixed reviews regarding the nursing environment in Florida (mostly negative unfortunately). I hear people complain about patient/staff ratios and the pay. I also know people working in Orlando making close to $30 hourly, which doesn't sound too bad considering no state tax. I appreciate any experience you have, especially regarding the space coast region. Thanks!

Here in nyc to live in a good neighborhood and own a decent (2000sq feet) house overtime is a must! Im looking for a life where I can own a home and work a 40hr week. Our family is in ny and we prefer to be close but if the south has a better life to offer I think they will falloW. NYC lifestyle is way too busy for me. Neighboring states have options but my wife hates snow.

Thanks for the comments everyone! Didn't expect them so quickly. Keep them coming!

Hi Everyone! My wife and I are considering a move from NYC to the south. We are focusing on the I-85 corridor from Charlotte to northeast GA. We both have our BSN and several years med-surg experience, early 30's, and planing to start a family. From what I heard and read we can expect to make around $25/hr with 3 weeks vacation with sicktime/holidays included. Coming from a union making low $40's/hr with 5 weeks vacation + sicktime + holidays/personal days a nursing career in the south doesn't seem like a good deal. I understand cost of living is lower but when we visit, except for housing, prices are not much different. Is the grass really greener down south? I would like to read your experiences, especially if you made the move.