relocation to dallas

RN1989 · Mar 24, 2008

I found DFW salaries to be low compared to the cost of living. I made better money in a city of 130K people than in Dallas. I have been told by some HR and nurse manager personnel that the large number of nursing schools in the area along with a high number of foreign nurses has kept the salaries down.

What kind of walking are you wanting to do? Walk to work, walk just to walk? I don't know that there are many places in Dallas that I would feel safe walking in. The northern suburbs are wealthier so I would probably feel safe walking there, however the hospitals in those suburbs are scattered and you might find it difficult to get a place near work to be able to walk to. It would also limit you if you hated the hospital closest to where you lived. Unfortunately, DFW has a crummy public transit system compared to other cities. I don't know that I would want to take the DART bus or train without packing a handgun. There are some nice parks to walk in if you are into recreational walking. The Dallas area is also dog-friendly so that is a plus for people that enjoy animals.

Not sure what kind of action you are looking for and if it is different from Houston. I'm not a party sort of person so maybe someone younger can answer questions about night life.

britgirl · Mar 24, 2008

I found DFW salaries to be low compared to the cost of living. I made better money in a city of 130K people than in Dallas. I have been told by some HR and nurse manager personnel that the large number of nursing schools in the area along with a high number of foreign nurses has kept the salaries down.
What kind of walking are you wanting to do? Walk to work, walk just to walk? I don't know that there are many places in Dallas that I would feel safe walking in. The northern suburbs are wealthier so I would probably feel safe walking there, however the hospitals in those suburbs are scattered and you might find it difficult to get a place near work to be able to walk to. It would also limit you if you hated the hospital closest to where you lived. Unfortunately, DFW has a crummy public transit system compared to other cities. I don't know that I would want to take the DART bus or train without packing a handgun. There are some nice parks to walk in if you are into recreational walking. The Dallas area is also dog-friendly so that is a plus for people that enjoy animals.
Not sure what kind of action you are looking for and if it is different from Houston. I'm not a party sort of person so maybe someone younger can answer questions about night life.

many thanks for your promt reply

im looking at recreational walking,parks and shopping.and bars cafe's with lots of people hanging out.am i looking in the wrong city?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2008

Addison is a suburb located a few miles north of Dallas. The city has plenty of trendy nightclubs, restaurants, bars, bands, events, and a lively nightlife. Many young, professional singles have chosen to make Addison their home, since there's always something interesting going on in this city.

I respectfully disagree about the DFW area being low-paying. As an LVN with only 2 years of experience, I earn more than many LVNs in my high cost-of-living home state of California. I also earn more than some RNs in lower-paying states. My full-time dayshift job pays $20 hourly, my full-time weekend Baylor position pays $21 hourly, and my PRN gig pays $25 hourly. Keep in mind that I'm an LVN, so the RN pay rates should be a little higher.

loricatus · Mar 24, 2008

Addison is a suburb located a few miles north of Dallas. The city has plenty of trendy nightclubs, restaurants, bars, bands, events, and a lively nightlife. Many young, professional singles have chosen to make Addison their home, since there's always something interesting going on in this city.
I respectfully disagree about the DFW area being low-paying. As an LVN with only 2 years of experience, I earn more than many LVNs in my high cost-of-living home state of California. I also earn more than some RNs in lower-paying states. My full-time dayshift job pays $20 hourly, my full-time weekend Baylor position pays $21 hourly, and my PRN gig pays $25 hourly. Keep in mind that I'm an LVN, so the RN pay rates should be a little higher.

The problem is that in the DFW area, the RN rates aren't that much different than the LVN rates when it comes to a staff position. Agency (no benefits) averages in the very low thirties per hour.

britgirl · Mar 24, 2008

Addison is a suburb located a few miles north of Dallas. The city has plenty of trendy nightclubs, restaurants, bars, bands, events, and a lively nightlife. Many young, professional singles have chosen to make Addison their home, since there's always something interesting going on in this city.
I respectfully disagree about the DFW area being low-paying. As an LVN with only 2 years of experience, I earn more than many LVNs in my high cost-of-living home state of California. I also earn more than some RNs in lower-paying states. My full-time dayshift job pays $20 hourly, my full-time weekend Baylor position pays $21 hourly, and my PRN gig pays $25 hourly. Keep in mind that I'm an LVN, so the RN pay rates should be a little higher.

great addison sounds good.which baylor hospital do you work at,ive applied to one.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2008

which baylor hospital do you work at,ive applied to one.

I don't work at a Baylor hospital.

I work "The Baylor Plan" at a nursing home on weekends (work 24 hours over the course of two 12 hour shifts and get paid for 32 hours).