San Fransico VA

[RNPB10]

Hi all,Just a few questions to those of you familiar with the San Fran VA. Yesterday I had a phone interview with the San Fran VA and they where telling me how the VA nurses make less money than the outside nurses and sometimes when ppl move there to work they are unhappy because the cost of living is so high and they cannot afford to stay because of other financial commitments. However on the website usajobs.com where I found the position they listed they starting wage they listed was 85,000. So my question is what do nurses in San Fran make, and is 85,000/year enough to live in SF?

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Well, depends on what you are ok with in life.

You can get a pretty tiny place for around 2k a year in San Fran. Or if you are willing to commute with a absolutely heinous drive, you can get a larger place for around 1500/mo.

If you have financial commitments with student loans or car payments, it's going to get tight pretty quick. Most hospitals up north will pay experienced nurses in the 60s/hr. If you do the math it's significantly more than the VA.

I would say 85k will barely cover you in the Bay Area. I make a bit less than that in an almost as expensive area, and I'm barely scraping by every month, but I also have a husband and child at home.

[RNPB10]

Let me add that I am a single mother of two with a little over a years experience in the OR. The position I applied for was an OR position and I do have student loans, child care cost, ect to consider. Thank you in advance for your feed back. Also if I were to live outside of SF what areas would be less costly but doable in the area. The shift is 11a-7p so would that cut down in traffic time? thank you

[bayareastudent0711]

I think SF VA might have a childcare program for their employees down the street from the hospital. but IDK if the program is full or not, or accepting children at the moment. something for you to look into. good luck.