Relocating to North Carolina/ South Carolina

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I have just recently joined the group and was so pleased to see the NC forum. My husband and I are relocating to Tryon, NC from California. I'm an RN and am researching the hospitals in the area. I am looking at Mission Hospital in Asheville and Spartanburg Memorial in SC.

It seems that the average wage is $25/hour? There was a new law enacted in California this year which mandated staffing ratios and it has made a big difference for the better. Is there such a law in either NC or SC? Does anyone on this list work at either of these hospitals, and, if so, are you happy there. I'm trying to find out more about working conditions and job satisfaction (i.e., staffing ratios, relationship with administration, wages, etc.).

I am also looking at the smaller community hospitals - St. Luke's, Columbus, NC; Pardee, Hendersonville, NC; Park Ridge, Fletcher, NC. If anyone works at these hospitals, any information would be most appreciated.

Has anyone heard of any VA hospitals in the area? I believe there is one north of Asheville but that would be a bit of a commute.

I am planning to apply for either an NC or SC license by endorsement. It seems that compact licensure is available which makes things much easier. Does anyone have any info available on which license would be the better one to obtain?

Many thanks,

pippa258

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

With compact licensure, you must obtain your license from the state in which you reside. You are then free to travel across state lines to practice in other compact states. So, if you move to NC, you must have a NC license, and can then practice in both NC and SC.

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Specializes in ICU,ANTICOAG,ACUTE STROKE,EDU,RESEARCH.

Hello and welcome to the forum. That's a bit rich from me as I am actually in the UK but planning to move to NC.

I believe that nether NC nor SC have min staffing levels, I think that is pretty unique to CA.

I have been advised that rates for new grads (which is what I would be classed as when I arrive there) are around $19 per hour in NC.

Out of interest what are the staff /patient ratios in CA. I read for one hospital in NC that it was 1:6 days and 1:8 nights. To me that seems pretty good as here in UK there is often only 1 RN on nights for 30 patients and maybe 3/4 on days. I'd just add that to me this is not safe or healthy and we have huge problems here at the moment in the National Health Service.

Sorry can't be more help

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The staffing ratios in CA are 1:5 med/surg; 1:4 tele, ER; 1:2 ICU, NICU, L&D. It has made a huge difference. At the hospital I currently work at, it is 1:3 (med/surg/tele) if you are primary care.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/ER/CVICU.

I currently live in the Greenville, SC area but have worked at Mission. It is an excellent hospital but like all large faciliities takes advantage of it's nurses. I don't know what area of the hospital you are going to so it's hard to say what staffing is really like. In answer to your question about licensure, apply for license by endorsement, then after you arrive here change it to your home state. All that is required to make NC your home state is legal residency and a letter to the Board. THEN you ask the state to reissue your license with NC as your home state and you automatically become part of the Nurse Compact Licensure which enables you to work in (currently) 17 states without reapplying. There are no mandated staffing ratios in ANY state but California and Oregon.

Stay AWAY from Park Ridge.

Good Luck

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I currently live in the Greenville, SC area but have worked at Mission. It is an excellent hospital but like all large faciliities takes advantage of it's nurses. I don't know what area of the hospital you are going to so it's hard to say what staffing is really like. In answer to your question about licensure, apply for license by endorsement, then after you arrive here change it to your home state. All that is required to make NC your home state is legal residency and a letter to the Board. THEN you ask the state to reissue your license with NC as your home state and you automatically become part of the Nurse Compact Licensure which enables you to work in (currently) 17 states without reapplying. There are no mandated staffing ratios in ANY state but California and Oregon.

Stay AWAY from Park Ridge.

Good Luck (edited out poster's name)

There are 20 states in the compact now.

Arkansas

Arizona

Delaware

Idaho

Iowa

Maine

Maryland

Mississippi

Nebraska

New Hampshire

New Mexico

North Carolina

North Dakota

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennesse

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Wisconsin

NH joined 1 Feb 2006

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Thanks, Greywolf for the update. What do you mean by "taking advantage of its nurses"? I work in med/surg/tele area but am thinking of making a switch to L&D.

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