Relocating and need some pointers

The hospitals in Augusta would be the VA, University, MCG, Doctor's, and Trinity.

They all have their pluses and minuses, depends on what you want in a hospital. MCG starts new grads off the highest I believe it's around $22. The rest you can expect a range of $18.50 to $21; however, none are union so everything is negotiable!!

MCG is a great teaching hospital but their parking situation is horrible. Doctor's has an excellent burn center. University has Magnet Status. VA has an excellent spinal cord injury floor and benefits. Trinity use to be St. Joe's don't know much else about them. There is also Select hospital, but I haven't heard too many good things about it. Of course, that is just people's opinion. I'm sure there are nurses that love Select and would tell you it is the place to be, but I've also heard nurses complain about all the charting still being paper charting and having multiple vented pt's, but I also hear that they pay well for experience!!!

Augusta just is not the place for me. Race seems to hold this city back. It is the 2nd largest city in Georgia, yet it is worlds behind Atlanta. There is almost nothing to do here without driving a few hours to Atlanta, GA or Columbia, SC. One would think with the racial diversity here being pretty equal that this city would rock, but instead every issue seems to be held up as an "us vs. them" kind of pathetic thing (IMHO). Crime is high as there are a lot of young thugs that think they are LA gangs. Most people started moving to the Columbia county area and over the bridge to North Augusta, SC to get away from the "trouble," Columbia county and North Augusta are getting bigger which means trouble will no doubt follow. Columbia county is expensive in some areas. Augusta (Richmond county) is pretty inexpensive. North Augusta is inexpensive, too. North Augusta is growing, but you still need to drive to Augusta to eat out because they have a larger selection of restaurants. Augusta also has the mall. I think the time will come for Augusta when race is not such an issue and it will grow into something impressive. Until then, it will struggle and it's residents will feel the pain.

Personally, I would not send my kids to a Richmond county school. North Augusta has some good schools, as well as Columbia county. Some opt for private schools, but at $600 or more a month I couldn't afford it.

The weather here is hot and humid. The winter although nice, is too short and snow is unseen except for a rare occasion.

Moving is a personal thing. You may love it here and think you found paradise, while others, like me, can't wait to leave. I would assume Atlanta has even higher crime since they are a bigger city and traffic is horrible, but there is a lot more to do on your off time. I do not know anything about Savannah. I wish you well with your transfer. Just keep in mind that if you move and don't like it, you can always move again!!!

I hope at least some of this you will find helpful. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Sincerely,

Jay

Thank you for your response. I may be re-thinking the Augusta thing. Since im in South Carolina, another place I was leaning towards is Columbia. Im really looking for somewhere with all the things I questioned in my 1st post and that has a trauma or big critical care unit. I really want an ICU position. But, I dont want to leave an area like here in Charleston, that has a high crime rate and poor public schools to somewhere else with the same problem. I think it defeats the purpose.

Thank you again for providing insight.

Shawn

From what I have been hearing, the racial issue is also a big thing in Atlanta. I was surprised about that. I have only visited the ATL a bunch of times, never actually lived there.

I've lived in Augusta for a year, but I was not far from Fort Gordon- so I can't speak for all of Augusta. I found it to be pretty boring but I am from NYC so there aren't many cities I can hold to that standard on things to do. Depending on what your lifestyle is like...it may work for you.

I DO like Atlanta's shopping options. Lots of stores, malls, boutiques. Augusta- nope not so much. I think they are building another mall somewhere in the city. The main mall has a surprising # of empty stores. I found driving to Columbia SC to be a little better, but you may not be a shopaholic like myself so that may be unnecessary.

Both ATL & Augusta have crime issues, but if you pick the right neighborhood you will no doubtly be at less risk for crime (for the most part). Atlanta has much, much more to choose from.

Augusta's traffic isn't as bad as Atlanta's, but there is some gridlock. Especially when The Master's rolls into town. I stayed away from that area when the time came.

I lived in the Columbia County area (Martinez/Evans). The public schools were pretty good, better than Augusta's for the most part. The area was affordable and quiet. If I went back I would move to the same area.

I lived in Augusta for 18 years and have been gone for 10.

I worked for MCG for 13 years. It's a teaching hospital so you can really learn a lot and see a lot of things there. I'm sure things have changed so I can't tell you much about working conditions.

I agree about the Richmond County schools. My husband went to those schools but I wouldn't send my kids there.

thank you all so much for you responses. i have a lot to think about. seems like i have more options is atlanta though. i will continue to research though. i live in charleston, and there is a racial issue here as well. i guess you will find that where ever you go.

i called grady and got their new grad rates. what is weird is that the pay here in charleston is a little better than atlanta. actually its closer to the same. atlanta pay like a dollar less at some places. im looking for a hospital with an icu residency program that accepts new grads. and preferrably that has a program longer than 3 months. im waiting to get my att to take the nclex-pn. after that, i intend to work in a med-surg unit as a lpn. just trying to get some type of experience under my belt. ive been a tech forever. wow, i got way off-subject here. but any way. thank you all for your responses!!!!!!!!!!!! :rcgtku:

thanks,

shawn

Please keep us posted on how your job search as a LPN is going- I am still on the fence between pursuing my degree in NC or GA, but I may be leaning towards GA, so I'd like to know what to expect.

I noticed you said you were going to be working as an LPN. Please, please, please before you relocate to Atlanta make sure you have a job as an LPN. I know of very few hospitals who hire LPN's in Atlanta, especially in an ICU environment. Atlanta has a glut of new grad RNs and some are having difficulties finding jobs.