Real Life in NYC

U.S.A. New York

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I have some questions for all the NYC nurses out there, as I wish to relocate there someday (i.e., approx 2 years or so):

1. Do you love living in NYC? Why or why not?

2. Any hospitals there with magnet status?

3. Which hospitals there have the best reputations (in terms of quality of care, treatment of nurses and staff)?

4. What's your average annual salary and is it enough to live on in expensive NYC? I'm single, young, no kids, so trying to support a family would not be an issue for me.

5. Oh and I guess while I'm at it, to any of the single NYC RNs out there, how is the dating scene in the City?

6. Is travel nursing the best way to get to NYC, in the first place?

PS- The reason that I'm waiting approx 2 years to relocate is because I am a recent grad (Spring '05) and feel like I need to chalk up some more experience. I'm currently an RN in Oregon, working med-surg/tele at a major teaching hospital.

Thanks!!!!!! Your inputs will be greatly appreciated.

Ive been in NY all my life, and I though Ive always wanted to move out one day and buy an affordable house with property that consisted of more than a fire excape , I think it would be hard to deal with the drastic change. I love the fact that its multi cultural, amazing food, and a ton of people. But after reading some of these posts,primarily one by Eliza, how can anyone afford an apt. even in the slightly more affordable washington heights when only in nursing school?

And as far as the dating scene, as one person mentioned and I agree, its easy to meet men in the city but difficult to sustain a relationship. Maybe the fact that there is so much going on leads to the idea variety is the spice of life when it comes to relationships too .. who knows?

I also think that the young single nurses forum is a great idea. Though I am not single, I know how hard it is for women in general to connect with each other on a friendly level. As corny as it sounds, Im always saying how I wish I had more female friends to go out with.

And for all those wanting to come into the city, wish you all the best. No offense to the slightly older crowd, but i dont think theres anything like being young in a city that has so much to absorb.

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Specializes in NICU.
But after reading some of these posts,primarily one by Eliza, how can anyone afford an apt. even in the slightly more affordable washington heights when only in nursing school?

Columbia has wicked financial aid. I'll be paying it off for the rest of my life, but hey.

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While I do agree that the rents can get quite astronomical, there are other expenses you can get rid of...for example, you don't need a car so cut out a car payment, fuel costs and insurance. Find an apartment relatively close to you place of employment and you can just hoof it.

I just think the trade offs are better in NYC.

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ELK,

I'm pretty much going through the same things with my friends. I went to nursing school in upstate NY, (Rochester) and made so many great friends. Now I'm debating whether to go back up there, the economy sucks but at least I had a social life there. I actually go up there for quick visits so much that one of my friends suggested I just a second apt there.

SueNYC,

I know what you mean about having more female friends. Like I mentioned before, most of the ladies I end up working with are very busy with hectic lives, family and work. And there's that age difference most are in their 40's and I probably remind them of their kids. I feel like I'm constantly keeping myself in check out of fear of offending them. This is not to say that after a certain age people lost their sense of humour I just feel weird discussing certain things that I normally wouldn't with people my near age.

Tinderbox,

WOW! The guys over there are passive?!!! I could not deal. I'm usually attracted to the arrogrant, obnoxious type. Then again maybe I should give the passive type a try since lord knows my regular type hasn't been exactly working all that great. I think in general men are easier to get but harder to keep and the reverse for women. I didn't mean to make the dating scene here sound so bleak. I don't go out much so maybe that's what it seems like to me. But the ratio of men to women - that I know for a fact. Sorry to hear about your attending there. Yeah dating on the job can really bite us in the rear sometimes. I've had my share. Oh and to answer your question: yes I'm glad I moved back. NYC is like the mob it just pulls you back in. Ikeep leaving and coming back since I was 18 (lived in VA, Illinois, Japan, Rochester, NY). There really is nothing like it.

Anyone else think "young (relatively young)/new nurses in NYC" has a shot at becoming a real forum? Some criteria could be less than 10yrs as nurse, living in the big apple (or just like discussing the city) and can relate to one of the characters from Sex and the City (male or female, married or single). Just some thoughts let me hear from you guys! :wink2:

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I'm up for that type of forum. I'm engaged, but I'd definitely like to know some people and have some girlfriends if and when I move to the city. It's a little intimidating to move there and not know anyone!

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So how do we go about this?

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I know! I want to move there, too, but the hardest thing for me would be to leave my incredibly wonderful girlfriends behind in Portland! I love them so much, I wish that they'd move to New York with me (but they won't/can't). SIGH!!!! I'm expecting my first couple years in NYC to be really lonely but exciting as I do not know anyone there either. I don't care how old a person is, as long as she is cool, fun, active, kind, and trustworthy. I'm 31 but have been great friends with people anywhere from 20 to 56, married, unmarried, kids or no kids. My one pet peeve is people who talk about their kids all day long and not much else. Borrrrring for me.

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I don't know if we can start a new forum, maybe just a new thread, "new/young NYC nurses" ??

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Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.
I had a long distance relationship for 1 year. I think it really depends on the people...it worked out for us (we had been together for 3 years prior so that helped.) There were definitely hard/sad times, but I had friends there to support me and I don't think I would have made it without them. So anyway, you really have to decide how strong your relationship is and what comes first. Good luck!

Im so glad it worked out for you guys:) My fiencee and I have been together for 3 years right now and by the time I get ready to leave itll be prob 4! We are both pretty secure in our relationship....no trust issues...nothing like that:)

I graduate this May but then I have to go back for a 6 week seminar and 6 weeks of my preceptorship. So i'll really be done around the beginning of august. So far im thinking about a compromise...moving to columbus with my fiencee for about a year...get a little experience then move to NY from columbus....that way he can join me in one year when he finishes.

Ive lived in the midwest my whole life so im used to reasonable rents!!!! I think that will be the hardest thing for me. I have a pretty large one bedroom right now for 425!!!! Im thinking about living in brooklyn or queens...somewhere not too far where I can still have a small patch of grass for my dog!

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Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.
I'm up for that type of forum. I'm engaged, but I'd definitely like to know some people and have some girlfriends if and when I move to the city. It's a little intimidating to move there and not know anyone!

yes it is!!! When are you thinking about moving? i'm engaged too, will your fiencee be moving with you? My fiencee will be moving there too after he finishes his bachelors at OSU. All of my friends in NYC are single! I cant wait to move!

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Yes, my fiance will be moving too..actually he is the reason we're going. He'll be starting school there in Sept. so we're thinking of moving in August.

I'm quite nervous about the rent too! I've heard Astoria is a good place to live in Queens so that's the first place I'll look. I'm still debating on whether to try travel nursing or get a permanent job. His school is only 9 months, but I'm afraid travel nursing might be too risky if I can't get an extension from the general 13 week assignment.

That sounds like a good compromise. I would think a year would go by pretty fast if he's in his last semester and you'll be starting new things in the city.

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Hey OPS here- just had to say: I can't believe how much this post has grown!! WOW thanks you guys!

Anyway for those already working as RNs in NYC, which hospitals have the best reputations as far as how they treat their nurses (ie. staffing, unionized, etc)? Which are the worst? I know that this may be a sensitive issue to publicly announce hospitals, so PM if you'd like. I've been working since July in Portland OR at a unionized teaching hospital and have been fortunate, so far (sort of). I'm a float nurse, so I go to different units and there are some units in which the nurses do not take breaks. UGH!!!!!

Also, are there any RNs out there who are already living and working in NYC and came to the city by themselves knowing no one and are doing well now? I'd like to hear your stories, too!!!

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