Salaries and hospitals in NC and SC

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Sep 23, 2005

I am graduating with my BSN in December and hoping to relocate to NC or SC. I would like to work in a PICU or Peds ED in a good sized city (nowhere rural) and I've looked at Charlotte (first choice), Raleigh/Durham, and Charleston. Problem is, I interviewed at CMC and they are offering their new grads $18 starting pay. I am graduating in Oregon (with Oregon sized student loans) and starting pay here is $25/hr plus much better shift differentials. The cost of living here is high, but not enough so that I can take about $12k less per year for moving. Does anyone know of hospitals that fit the bill (PICU, Peds ED, or adult ED hiring new grads) that will pay at least $20/hr? Thanks! Lisa

Sorry, on my side of the state (East), $18/hr seems to be tops for new grads.

twigloo · Nov 2, 2005

Does anyone work for the Cape Fear Valley Health System? If so , I would love to hear your opinion on working there. I am graduating in april/06 with a BSN. I was also wondering if there are signing bonuses.

Aneroo, LPN · Nov 3, 2005

About $18 is the going rate for new grads here, whether you have ADN or BSN, or work med-surg, ED, PICU...

BUT, the cost of living here is very inexpensive (at least in eastern NC). http://www.uhseast.com does hire new grads in those areas. Seems rural, but it is a large tertiary hospital. Also consider Baptist (Wake Forest) in Winston-Salem (only an hour north of Charlotte).

heartdrtobe · Nov 3, 2005

I think too mnay people go into nursing thinking they are going to make excellent money. But when it boils down to it you never will as a regular nurse. Agencies do pay better but require more experience and there are a lot of hidden things they never tell you once you get to your site and then you are stuck with a contract. Nursing schools can be very expensive. Coming from my business sense background people need to do a cost to benefit analysis before taking out the debt for school. To me if you have to finance a nursing education for more than 20k you will be paying those loans for a long time. afiend of mine graduated with a bsn and had a total student loan debt of 38k. Ive seen some as much as 45k. Bottom line is most slaries for new grads will be in the range of 17-19 an hour.

KatieBell · Nov 3, 2005

Yes, most of the hospitals are going to pay around 18-19 an hour. Especially, consider that there are many NC newgrads wanting those PICU/ER positions who are willing to take that amount of pay. Eastern NC, the Cost of Living is Really astonishingly low. I am a traveler in semi Eastern NC and was surprised to find that my furnished apartment was renting for about 250.00 USD a month. In RTP area a similar size apartment would be about 800-900 USD.

You will not see many sign on bonuses anymore for new grads, anywhere. The shortage is not what it used to be. But, there is a new draw- that of loan forgiveness, or the hospital being willing to foot your loan payments.

As far as Cape Fear, have not been there, but know many travelers that have, they were not impressed, but not completely miserable either. None that I knew extended though.

paacollins · Nov 3, 2005

Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC just raised the starting pay for entry level nurses to $19.25 an hour. You also get a $4 an hour shift differential after 3 PM and, I believe, $1.25 an hour extra for weekends. My best friend works there and was offered basically any area she wanted and any shift she wanted when she started last year. She also got a $.60 raise after a year. So far she's quite happy there.

Forsyth Medical Center, also in Winston-Salem, pays basically the same.

SHANNONDESIRE · Nov 29, 2005

I am going to be moving to Charlotte in the summer and I am checking into Carolinas medical Center, Mercy, and Presbyterian. Does anyone have anything to share with me regarding those facilities. I am interested in finding out the general salary as well for someone with 3 years experience. I am curious about the City of Charlotte, Schools...etc. Any help from anyone would be hugely appreciated from me. Thanks.

paacollins · Nov 30, 2005

We live near Mt. Airy, NC, which is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours north of Charlotte, depending on traffic. Charlotte is a neat city: tons of restaurants, active nightlife, culture, major sports teams ie Carolina Panthers, major airport, etc. I love to go there for visits but I wouldn't want to live there mainly because I don't want to live in any city. I prefer living 30 to 60 minutes outside of a large city for several reasons. Number one: Charlotte, like any large city, has its share of crime. Number two: Traffic stinks. Number 3: It's expensive to live in a large city. That being said there are some nice areas close to Charlotte that would allow you to commute to the hospitals but live in the suburbs so to speak. I really have no information on the schools but the cost of living in North Carolina is generally pretty reasonable. I moved here 14 years ago from Florida and was amazed at the lower taxes, lower real estate cost, etc. People in this state are generally very friendly as well and tend to help each other out in times of need. I've never regretted moving here.

You can do an Internet search on the city and surrounding areas and find some good links. Here is the link for Presbyterian hospital; it gives job listings but no salaries. I would assume they would be similar to hospitals in Winston-Salem, which start at $19.25 for a newly graduated RN. Charlotte might pay a bit more because the cost of living is most likely higher.

Jolie, BSN · Nov 30, 2005

I am going to be moving to Charlotte in the summer and I am checking into Carolinas medical Center, Mercy, and Presbyterian. Does anyone have anything to share with me regarding those facilities. I am interested in finding out the general salary as well for someone with 3 years experience. I am curious about the City of Charlotte, Schools...etc. Any help from anyone would be hugely appreciated from me. Thanks.

I left Charlotte in the 1990's, but still miss it! The climate was great and cost of living low compared to other cities where we've lived (Chicago, Philadelphia, Omaha). I worked at a community hospital in Rock Hill, SC, which I would not recommend. I also worked at the maternity center at Mercy South, which is now known as Carolina's Medical Center-Pineville. The quality of care and level of professionalism was very good at that time. I've not kept in touch with anyone there, so I can't say what working conditions are like now. Check out employers very thoroughly. And enjoy your time in Charlotte. It is a great city!